Georgia Bulldogs: Ray Drew
ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo can often be heard shouting across the practice fields in an accent that could be described as a southern drawl. Detractors -- and Bobo’s success on the recruiting trail has earned him many -- would describe his voice as “backwoods” or “countrified,” maybe even “hillbilly.”
But that country-boy swagger rings true to his roots and is the language Bobo’s recruiting targets speak. If it isn’t their first language, it is their second and they slip into it like a favorite baseball cap when Bobo talks to them.
But that country-boy swagger rings true to his roots and is the language Bobo’s recruiting targets speak. If it isn’t their first language, it is their second and they slip into it like a favorite baseball cap when Bobo talks to them.
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ATHENS, Ga. -- In predicting how his former player, Leonard Floyd, will fit into Georgia’s defensive scheme, Dodge County coach Rex Hodges used an assessment that is becoming all too common.
“Looking at what they’re doing there, he’s probably one of those defensive end-type guys, outside linebacker,” Hodges said. “Who knows how big he’s going to get? You don’t know what he’s going to look like in two years.”
“Looking at what they’re doing there, he’s probably one of those defensive end-type guys, outside linebacker,” Hodges said. “Who knows how big he’s going to get? You don’t know what he’s going to look like in two years.”
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ATHENS, Ga. -- With the spring evaluation period in full swing, Georgia’s football coaches continue to work on assembling next year’s signing class.
This week in DawgNation, we took a look at some prospects who might receive scholarship offers from Mark Richt’s staff in the coming days and weeks. We also heard from the head coach himself as he discussed some of the recruiting issues facing college staffs these days.
As for specific prospects, we provided updates this week on several players, including:
We also had our own Kipp Adams appear on a new video feature called “SEC Official Visit,” where he discussed the new commitments -- ESPN 150 honorees Sony Michel and Jeb Blazevich -- who joined Georgia’s 2014 class last week.
It was quiet on the team side with players preparing for summer and taking their final exams this week. We still delivered a few team-related stories from both the local and national perspective.
At the beginning of the week, just after the conclusion of last week’s NFL draft, we looked forward to next year and examined some of Georgia’s top prospects for the 2014 draft. Along those lines, ESPN Insider Brock Huard also previewed next year’s draft, naming Bulldogs quarterback Aaron Murray as one of the top five quarterback prospects for next year.
ESPN Insider’s Travis Haney threw compliments toward another Bulldog, naming outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins as one of his top candidates to enjoy a breakout season this fall.
We also reviewed one of the big talking points of Georgia's spring practice -- that Georgia will have more game-ready offensive linemen capable of rotating this fall -- and examined whether position coach Will Friend might follow through with that possibility this fall.
We also rehashed a couple of interesting conversations with defensive end Ray Drew and safety Connor Norman as we continued our “Spring Cleaning” series and reviewed the previous weeks’ post-spring position reviews with an all-inclusive recap.
This week in DawgNation, we took a look at some prospects who might receive scholarship offers from Mark Richt’s staff in the coming days and weeks. We also heard from the head coach himself as he discussed some of the recruiting issues facing college staffs these days.
As for specific prospects, we provided updates this week on several players, including:
- ESPN 150 guard Isaiah Wynn (St. Petersburg, Fla./Lakewood Senior)
- ESPN 150 receiver Saeed Blacknall (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan)
- 2016 offensive tackle Ben Cleveland (Toccoa, Ga./Stephens County)
We also had our own Kipp Adams appear on a new video feature called “SEC Official Visit,” where he discussed the new commitments -- ESPN 150 honorees Sony Michel and Jeb Blazevich -- who joined Georgia’s 2014 class last week.
It was quiet on the team side with players preparing for summer and taking their final exams this week. We still delivered a few team-related stories from both the local and national perspective.
At the beginning of the week, just after the conclusion of last week’s NFL draft, we looked forward to next year and examined some of Georgia’s top prospects for the 2014 draft. Along those lines, ESPN Insider Brock Huard also previewed next year’s draft, naming Bulldogs quarterback Aaron Murray as one of the top five quarterback prospects for next year.
ESPN Insider’s Travis Haney threw compliments toward another Bulldog, naming outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins as one of his top candidates to enjoy a breakout season this fall.
We also reviewed one of the big talking points of Georgia's spring practice -- that Georgia will have more game-ready offensive linemen capable of rotating this fall -- and examined whether position coach Will Friend might follow through with that possibility this fall.
We also rehashed a couple of interesting conversations with defensive end Ray Drew and safety Connor Norman as we continued our “Spring Cleaning” series and reviewed the previous weeks’ post-spring position reviews with an all-inclusive recap.
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Editor's note: Over the next couple of weeks, we'll clean out our notebook from Georgia's spring practice to tell the stories we didn't get to before the Bulldogs' G-Day game. Previously we featured fullback Quayvon Hicks and tight end Jay Rome. Today we recap a conversation with defensive end Ray Drew from a few days before the G-Day game.
ATHENS, Ga. -- Ray Drew decided before spring practice to stop worrying so much about what everybody else thinks, and the junior defensive end believes that new approach made a world of difference.
ATHENS, Ga. -- Ray Drew decided before spring practice to stop worrying so much about what everybody else thinks, and the junior defensive end believes that new approach made a world of difference.
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ATHENS, Ga. -- Over the last two weeks, we reviewed the competition for playing time at each position on Georgia’s depth chart and identified a player to watch at each position.
A defense that lost 12 significant players will be a focal point well into the fall, and it was in our post-spring recaps. Let’s take a look at the defensive positions first:
A defense that lost 12 significant players will be a focal point well into the fall, and it was in our post-spring recaps. Let’s take a look at the defensive positions first:
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Editor’s note: Last week we started reviewing each of Georgia’s position groups at the end of spring practice. We took a look at the offense last week. Today we begin examining the defense, starting with the defensive line:
Returning players/stats: Garrison Smith, Sr. (Eight starts in 2012. 57 tackles, two tackles for a loss, one sack); Ray Drew, Jr. (23 tackles, 1 TFL); Michael Thornton, Jr. (No tackles); Sterling Bailey, So. (One tackle); Jonathan Taylor, RFr. (Redshirted in 2012)
Newcomers: Toby Johnson, Jr. (ESPN’s No. 4 overall prospect in the 2013 junior college 100, No. 3 DT. Expected to enroll this summer); John Atkins, Fr. (Hargrave Military transfer. Enrolled in January); Chris Mayes, Jr. (No. 87 in 2013 junior college 100, No. 14 DT. Enrolled in January); DeAndre Johnson, Fr. (No. 84 DT. Expected to enroll this summer)
Returning players/stats: Garrison Smith, Sr. (Eight starts in 2012. 57 tackles, two tackles for a loss, one sack); Ray Drew, Jr. (23 tackles, 1 TFL); Michael Thornton, Jr. (No tackles); Sterling Bailey, So. (One tackle); Jonathan Taylor, RFr. (Redshirted in 2012)
Newcomers: Toby Johnson, Jr. (ESPN’s No. 4 overall prospect in the 2013 junior college 100, No. 3 DT. Expected to enroll this summer); John Atkins, Fr. (Hargrave Military transfer. Enrolled in January); Chris Mayes, Jr. (No. 87 in 2013 junior college 100, No. 14 DT. Enrolled in January); DeAndre Johnson, Fr. (No. 84 DT. Expected to enroll this summer)
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Defense wins day in UGA's first scrimmage
March, 26, 2013
Mar 26
9:24
PM ET
By
David Ching | ESPN.com
ATHENS, Ga. -- Considering the state of Georgia’s depth chart -- with 10 starters returning from last year’s record-setting offense and 12 key performers missing from the 2012 defense -- Tuesday’s first spring scrimmage has to be viewed as a win for Todd Grantham’s rebuilding defense.
Practicing under blustery conditions at Sanford Stadium, the defense surrendered just one touchdown off a traditional drive before the Bulldogs began working on situational possessions such as third-and-long and goal-line scenarios.
“There were some good plays made out there offensively. As far as putting together drives and scoring points, it just didn’t happen today. The defense did a really nice job,” said Bulldogs coach Mark Richt, who added that the offense scored two more touchdowns in four goal-line possessions.
Practicing under blustery conditions at Sanford Stadium, the defense surrendered just one touchdown off a traditional drive before the Bulldogs began working on situational possessions such as third-and-long and goal-line scenarios.
“There were some good plays made out there offensively. As far as putting together drives and scoring points, it just didn’t happen today. The defense did a really nice job,” said Bulldogs coach Mark Richt, who added that the offense scored two more touchdowns in four goal-line possessions.
ATHENS, Ga. -- With Georgia on spring break, it has been a fairly quiet week around DawgNation before spring practice resumes on Tuesday and the NFL-bound Bulldogs hold their pro day on Thursday.
But we still kept readers up to date on football practice and recruiting with a number of updates this week.
On the team side, we took a look at a couple of key positions to watch this spring. The offensive line was by far the biggest question mark last year at this time, but the group returns everyone and should enjoy more reliable depth this spring and fall. And the secondary must replace three starters this season, so we took a look at some of the contenders who can help their causes this spring.
We also provided a quick update on former five-star defensive end Ray Drew, who hopes to continue his progress from late last season and emerge as a starter on the line this fall.
But we still kept readers up to date on football practice and recruiting with a number of updates this week.
On the team side, we took a look at a couple of key positions to watch this spring. The offensive line was by far the biggest question mark last year at this time, but the group returns everyone and should enjoy more reliable depth this spring and fall. And the secondary must replace three starters this season, so we took a look at some of the contenders who can help their causes this spring.
We also provided a quick update on former five-star defensive end Ray Drew, who hopes to continue his progress from late last season and emerge as a starter on the line this fall.
ATHENS, Ga. -- Aside from tailback Isaiah Crowell, no player in Georgia’s heralded 2011 recruiting class arrived with more hype than defensive end Ray Drew. And yet the rising junior struggled to make much of an impact in his first two seasons as a Bulldog.
But after working his way into the defensive line rotation late last season and acquitting himself well -- including an eight-tackle game against Georgia Tech, a single-game total that tied for second among Georgia’s defensive linemen last season -- Drew entered this spring with a newfound confidence that he can perform at the college level.
“The more you play, the more comfortable you get,” Drew said. “And then after I had my game against Georgia Tech where I think I had about eight or nine tackles there, I guess it kind of just freed me and it was kind of like, ‘OK, let’s go.’ ”
But after working his way into the defensive line rotation late last season and acquitting himself well -- including an eight-tackle game against Georgia Tech, a single-game total that tied for second among Georgia’s defensive linemen last season -- Drew entered this spring with a newfound confidence that he can perform at the college level.
“The more you play, the more comfortable you get,” Drew said. “And then after I had my game against Georgia Tech where I think I had about eight or nine tackles there, I guess it kind of just freed me and it was kind of like, ‘OK, let’s go.’ ”
Editor’s note: Each day this week, we’ll ask a question that Georgia’s football team faces this spring as it moves toward the 2013 season. Today’s question: The Bulldogs face one of the most difficult September schedules of any team in the country. Will the rebuilding defense be ready for that challenge?
ATHENS, Ga. -- By the end of September, we should have a good idea whether Georgia, a likely preseason top-10 pick, will live up to its lofty expectations.
Nothing will be a bigger factor in the Bulldogs’ success or failure in the first month -- when the Bulldogs visit Clemson and host South Carolina, North Texas and LSU -- than how quickly the new starters on defense adapt to expanded roles.
ATHENS, Ga. -- By the end of September, we should have a good idea whether Georgia, a likely preseason top-10 pick, will live up to its lofty expectations.
Nothing will be a bigger factor in the Bulldogs’ success or failure in the first month -- when the Bulldogs visit Clemson and host South Carolina, North Texas and LSU -- than how quickly the new starters on defense adapt to expanded roles.
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Editor’s note: Each day this week, we’ll ask a question that Georgia’s football team faces this spring as it moves toward the 2013 season. Today’s question: Who will supply the pass rush now that two-time All-American Jarvis Jones has entered the NFL draft?
ATHENS, Ga. -- Replacing the nation’s leading sack artist and most effective pass rusher in the Georgia program’s history is not going to be easy. It might be impossible.
ATHENS, Ga. -- Replacing the nation’s leading sack artist and most effective pass rusher in the Georgia program’s history is not going to be easy. It might be impossible.
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ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia’s football program seemed to be on the ropes with two weeks remaining until signing day 2011. Three seasons of declining results, capped by the program’s first losing record under Mark Richt in 2010, left the Bulldogs in an uncertain position.
But when Malcolm Mitchell and Jay Rome elected to join the Bulldogs’ “Dream Team” recruiting class on Jan. 20, 2011, an impressive finishing push for Richt’s coaching staff leading up to signing day was launched. That was a big step toward the on-field resurgence that allowed the Bulldogs to win back-to-back SEC East titles over the last two years.
Another strong signing class followed the “Dream Team” in 2012 and played a role in the Bulldogs’ division championship. And as Richt’s staff attempts to reel in a final batch of blue-chip prospects before national signing day on Wednesday, we can review the successes of the past two seasons and point to that mid-January day -- 13 days before signing day 2011 -- that Valdosta (Ga.) teammates Mitchell and Rome publicly committed to the Bulldogs as the jumping-off point for Richt’s staff to restock their roster with a flood of talent.
But when Malcolm Mitchell and Jay Rome elected to join the Bulldogs’ “Dream Team” recruiting class on Jan. 20, 2011, an impressive finishing push for Richt’s coaching staff leading up to signing day was launched. That was a big step toward the on-field resurgence that allowed the Bulldogs to win back-to-back SEC East titles over the last two years.
Another strong signing class followed the “Dream Team” in 2012 and played a role in the Bulldogs’ division championship. And as Richt’s staff attempts to reel in a final batch of blue-chip prospects before national signing day on Wednesday, we can review the successes of the past two seasons and point to that mid-January day -- 13 days before signing day 2011 -- that Valdosta (Ga.) teammates Mitchell and Rome publicly committed to the Bulldogs as the jumping-off point for Richt’s staff to restock their roster with a flood of talent.
By the numbers: UGA classes since 2006 
January, 18, 2013
Jan 18
7:00
AM ET
By
David Ching | ESPN.com
ATHENS, Ga. -- Here’s a breakdown of Georgia’s last seven recruiting classes and what they managed to accomplish in college and beyond:
2006
ESPN top five classes: Florida, USC, Texas, Georgia, Notre Dame
Georgia’s ranking: 4
2006
ESPN top five classes: Florida, USC, Texas, Georgia, Notre Dame
Georgia’s ranking: 4
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ATHENS, Ga. -- Mark Richt said Thursday that he wants his up-and-coming defensive players to ask themselves, “Am I going to be good enough to help this team win a championship?” as they work toward playing bigger roles in 2013.
There’s no question that if the Bulldogs return to the SEC championship game for a third consecutive year, those defensive players will have made enormous strides to get them there. They return every key offensive player except receivers Tavarres King and Marlon Brown, but lose 12 important defenders.
So let’s take a quick look at five key players who will lead the rebuilding effort for Georgia’s defense this fall -- and then three more to watch for good measure.
There’s no question that if the Bulldogs return to the SEC championship game for a third consecutive year, those defensive players will have made enormous strides to get them there. They return every key offensive player except receivers Tavarres King and Marlon Brown, but lose 12 important defenders.
So let’s take a quick look at five key players who will lead the rebuilding effort for Georgia’s defense this fall -- and then three more to watch for good measure.
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Competition theme of defense's offseason
January, 8, 2013
Jan 8
7:00
AM ET
By
David Ching | ESPN.com
ATHENS, Ga. -- This won’t be the most crucial offseason of Todd Grantham’s relatively brief time at Georgia -- that honor goes to 2010, when he started installing his 3-4 scheme shortly after joining Mark Richt’s staff in January -- but it might be the one with the most roster uncertainty.
The Bulldogs will lose 11 key players off its 2012 defense, and that number could grow to 12 if junior nose guard Kwame Geathers declares for the NFL draft, so spring practice will feature major competition within every defensive position group.
“I kind of put them up on the board the other day and we’ve got some talented guys. It’s just a matter of developing them and working them and filtering it,” Grantham said. “Our depth is going to be better than it’s been the last couple of years, but it’s going to be young. So there’s a little bit at every spot.”
The Bulldogs will lose 11 key players off its 2012 defense, and that number could grow to 12 if junior nose guard Kwame Geathers declares for the NFL draft, so spring practice will feature major competition within every defensive position group.
“I kind of put them up on the board the other day and we’ve got some talented guys. It’s just a matter of developing them and working them and filtering it,” Grantham said. “Our depth is going to be better than it’s been the last couple of years, but it’s going to be young. So there’s a little bit at every spot.”
ABOUT THIS BLOG
David Ching
David Ching came to ESPN.com in 2011 after six years covering UGA for the Columbus (Ga.) Ledger-Enquirer and Athens (Ga.) Banner-Herald. He lives in Athens. Email him at davidchingespn@gmail.com.
Radi Nabulsi
Radi Nabulsi joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the University of Georgia for Rivals.com for four years and for the UGA Athletic Association since 1993. Nabulsi is a graduate of the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism and lives in Athens. He can be reached at radinabulsiespn@gmail.com.
Kipp Adams
Kipp Adams joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering University of Georgia football and basketball recruiting for five years at Rivals.com. He lives in Sandy Springs, Ga., and enjoys spending time with his two sons. He can be reached at kippadamsespn@gmail.com.