“Heros have graced the field before you. Men with hearts, bodies, and minds, for which the entire Bulldog Nation can justifiably proud. The tradition for unbridled excellence demonstrated by these individuals and many others spans more than a full century. And now a new breed of bulldog stands ready to take the field of battle. To assume the reigns of the Georgia program. To continue that tradition. Understanding that there is no tradition more worthy of envy. NO institution worthy of such loyalty, as the University of Georgia. As we prepare for another meeting BETWEEN THE HEDGES, let all the faithful Bulldog rally behind the men who now wear RED and Black, with two words. Two simple words that express sentiments of the entire Bulldog Nation……… One of the most exciting days of the year for the Georgia Bulldogs is upon us! It is G-Day in Athens, although it maybe virtual for 2020, Top Dawg Blogging will always put out a preview for G-Day. Here is a little Top Dawg Rewind!
Only the words of Larry Munson can sum up what this weekend is all about for the University of Georgia. This weekend is about pride, tradition, and culture. This Georgia coaching staff has faced a lot of hype and a lot of criticism from the media and fans. This Georgia team already has its fair share of doubters, as many still don’t believe the Dawgs will end the 39 years-long wait for a National Championship. Back in 2017, Georgia faced Notre Dame on the road with a freshman quarterback who would be making his first collegiate start after replacing the injured Jacob Eason in the first quarter of the season opener. That freshman led the Dawgs with great composure as he set up the field goal that would eventually win Georgia the ball game. That same freshman ended up contributing to a season that saw the Dawgs return to the National Championship game and fell just short of winning it all. Now the tides have changed. Notre Dame will be making the trip to Athens to take on the number 3 ranked Bulldogs who have hopes of returning to the National Championship and taking care of some unfinished business. From the moment that the CBS music plays as they do a flyover view of the stadium and the time the ball is kicked off. Georgia puts their whole season on the line in one of the biggest games of the year. Offense The Georgia offense started the season off slow as they showed a weakness in the passing game as they struggled with a young receiving core. Now after two straight weeks of the brilliance of Jake Fromm and playmaking from many guys on the receiving core. It is time for the critics to be silenced for the rest of the year. Jake Fromm, will be playing Notre Dame after two years of experience in College Football. After those two years, he has shown to be one of the best in college football. Not many have his poise, intelligence, and a love for football. Fromm is an extension of the coach on the field, as he is a leader of men and has the intelligence to know where the play will be made, and when a bad play may occur. Fromm will likely to be asked to be the same quarterback he has always been. Fromm will continue to make checks at the line of scrimmage and put Georgia in the best situations to make plays. While dropping back in the pocket and delivering accurate passes for gains. The ground game is where the real depth lyes on this team. Georgia will be led by D’Andre Swift as he will look to light up the Notre Dame defense like the flashlights held up by every Georgia fan before the fourth quarter. Swift’s ability to carry the ball out the backfield and catch passes out of the backfield makes him a very valuable weapon for Georgia will have Notre Dame worrying about every play. Brian Herrien is a man to watch against Notre Dame, he always seems to show up in the spotlight when given chances. With his combination of speed and power, he will be the power back and short-yardage back. One name that is being mentioned everywhere is George Pickens. Even NFL analysts are starting to mention his name after some of the plays he has made in his short time in Athens. Pickens is the go-to option for Fromm in big play situations. The question is for Pickens, is whether he will be able to be “Pickin TDs” against a top 25 team in Notre Dame. Demetrius Robertson is a guy to watched, although he is dealing with a nagging injury he has shown to be a consistent option for Fromm. If D-Rob can put it all together in a game like this, it would be a huge boost. The Georgia offensive line has been working out some kinks in pass protection but has seemed to figure it all out. With Isaiah Wilson still questionable to return for this game, it is expected that Cade Mays will stay at right tackle and Ben Cleveland at right guard. It is possible that Wilson sees limited snaps this weekend against Notre Dame. But I wouldn’t risk his long term availability if he isn’t 100 percent. Defense A unit that has fallen out of the spotlight this season is the defense as everyone has their sights set on the offense. The Georgia defense has been playing with a newfound chip on their shoulders along with high energy The defense is flush with talent, as there has been a freshman invasion along the depth chart as most starting spots are still being battled for, week to week. Georgia will be looking to cause more and more havoc, especially this week as Notre Dame will be the first true test for a Georgia defense that has played well so far. Notre Dame has a mobile, accurate quarterback who has no problem staying in the pocket and throwing it, while also being able to get out and scramble if he sees nothing down the field. Dan Lanning will need to dial up smart blitzes along with strong coverages for the Georgia secondary. The Georgia front seven will be tasked with containing Book and making him throw it downfield and give the secondary a chance to make a play. If Georgia can contain and get after Book then the Notre Dame offense will completely be shut down.
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What would've been a beautiful day in Athens for G-Day and all of dawgnation. With the worldwide pandemic shutting down all of the sports worlds, Dooley Field inside of Sanford Stadium will not be having anyone playing on it as G-Day is now becoming a virtual experience.
So what could have we expected from G-Day if it was going to take place as it has in the past under Kirby Smart? Quarterback Competition This spring would've been the start of a hugely anticipated battle for the starting job at quarterback for Georgia this coming season. Wake Forest graduate transfer Jamie Newman would've had his first glimpse of what it is like playing inside of Sanford Stadium in front of the Bulldog faithful. Not only that, but Newman would be competing against other quarterbacks on the roster as we would've seen freshman early enrollee Carson Beck take his first snaps in Athens as well. Returning for the Bulldogs at quarterback are Stetson Bennett and Dwan Mathis. Bennett is the only quarterback on the roster who has taken a snap in a game for Georgia. Mathis is coming off surgery to remove a brain cyst that kept him out of action for all of last season. The G-Day would've been very entertaining as quarterback play would be observed and would've made for a great game. New Look Offense With the turn of the decade this past January, it would also see a change of the philosophy on offense. Coach Kirby Smart decided to shake things up offensively this offseason as he named Todd Monken, the new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for this upcoming season. Monken is known for his pass-happy offense known as the air raid that brought him a lot of success in his coaching career. Monken's new system is a stark contrast to the offense that was being run in the offense the past four years under Kirby Smart. G-Day was going to be a slight preview of what was to come from the Georgia offensive unit. The same group that many say underperformed last season under the direction of former offensive coordinator James Coley. Staunch Defensive Performance Georgia is returning a lot of great talent defensively after losing just three starters from a year ago. Many have said that it is the number one defense to start the upcoming season. That very same unit would've continued to show their dominance in the spring game as it would yet again be a very low scoring affair, as the Georgia defense would've made some plays against the new offense that they would've been battling all spring. The defense would have been at an advantage with the amount of familiarity that they have with the system that is being run by Dan Lanning and this defensive staff. G-Day would've seen the "ones" offense put up no more than 30 points against this staunch defensive unit. It would have been a great day for Georgia as they would be a lot of competition on both sides of the ball as the offense has some holes to fill. Along with trying to find playmakers that are capable of making plays in big-time situations, like D'Andre Swift and Lawrence Cager did a year ago. While there aren't many holes in the defense, the competition is still hot as guys are always competing for jobs. The depth chart is stacked defensively with talent and guys who can play. G-Day would've been special this year, but if you want any chance of getting back into Sanford Stadium in September, you must stay inside and keep your distance! And always Go Dawgs! We are just days away from the NFL Draft as everyone is getting excited for some sports-related events to take place. With the Draft being virtual this year, due to the pandemic, it will not stop the names of College Football’s best being called by the commissioner.
It is our mission at Top Dawg Blogging to be cover where some of the Dawgs might end up hearing their name called. Where is the “swift” one known as D’Andre Swift going to start his career? Atlanta Falcons While the signing of Todd Gurley, this offseason damper the idea of seeing Swift stay in the red and black. There is still talk that we could see a Gurley and Swift tandem backfield in the Peach State next season. The Falcons hold the 16th overall pick in the Draft and could use that pick on Swift if they want him. While they likely the pick defense, there is still hope that Swift could stay in the state of Georgia for the next part of his career. The Falcons also hold the 47th pick in the second round, which if Swift is somehow still available, they could also use to pick Swift. Kansas City Chiefs The defending Super Bowl champs are being projected by many to take Swift with their first-round pick. In those mocks, it also means that Swift would be the only running back coming off the board in the first round. Swift would go to the Chiefs with the 32nd pick of the Draft, which is the last pick of the first round, which would be a steal for the Chiefs at 32 as he would add some production to the already stacked KC offense that won them a Super Bowl. Swift is an excellent runner who can beat defenders to the edge, and once he makes it to the open field, he is very dangerous and is a home run capable back every time he gets the ball. Swift would translate well into the Chiefs offense as he is a very good pass-catcher out of the backfield, which would provide Andy Reid with a lot of options when trying to get the ball to Swift. Miami Dolphins Miami is a team with a lot of draft capital for this year, as they have a plethora of picks to make this April. The Dolphins have three picks in the first round alone. While Miami is expected to draft the quarterback of the future early on, they could also bring their running back of the future in the first round. The earliest Swift could go to the Dolphins realistically is at 18, but if they feel that it is too early to pull the trigger on Swift, they could do it a few picks later at 26. The Dolphins traded away Kenyan Drake to the Arizona Cardinals and need a running back. Swift has currently ranked the top running back in this draft class and would be the perfect running back for any quarterback that they decide to take in this Draft. These teams are considered likely to take Swift except the Falcons, as it would be a massive surprise if they end up grabbing Swift. Another team to watch is the Tampa Buccaneers, as they are rumored to be interested in taking a running back this Draft. With the 14th pick, it is unlikely they’ll skip out on a franchise tackle for a running back. It has been years since Georgia has sent a quarterback to the pros with the hope of being drafted. Aaron Murray was the last Georgia quarterback to be drafted in 2014 by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round.
That very same hope is back this time with fans getting excited to see Jake Fromm hear his name called at some point in the NFL Draft that will span three days and will be held “virtually” for the first time. Fromm went from being the second string quarterback for the 2017 season opener against Appalachian State. Until just minutes into the game, Eason scrambled out of the pocket and got hit outbounds and left the game with a knee injury. The young freshman from Warner Robins, Georgia, started warming up and came into the game and led the Dawgs to a 31-10 victory, and well, the rest was history. Through all the big games and big moments throughout his career in Athens, there are still some doubters. Many of those doubters are NFL analysts who specialize in analyzing players from the time they are in college through their professional careers. The doubts surrounding Fromm are about his arm strength and mobility. Many feel that Fromm’s arm strength isn’t at the level of a starting NFL quarterback, along with his movement in and out of the pocket is not at a level acceptable for a quarterback who might lack some arm strength. While the analyst and doubters bring up good points and have good reasons for thinking these things, Dawg fans know that Jake Fromm isn’t an adept runner and might not have the arm strength of a Matt Stafford, but he has always had enough. But will enough get the job done in the NFL? Where will Fromm go in the draft, and to which team? Those are the most important questions so far? Jacksonville Jaguars Jacksonville hasn’t had the best of luck with quarterbacks in the past. Most notably after drafting former UCF standout Blake Bortles third overall in 2014. Bortles lasted four seasons in Jacksonville, which was a rocky tenure as his best season came in 2017, where he led the Jags to an AFC Championship game against the Patriots. He was released after the 2018 season, where the Jaguars acquired Nick Foles in free agency. Foles is now a Chicago Bear after he missed most of last season with an injury, he was traded this offseason after his replacement Gardner Minshew showed some potential. Not to mention the fact that the Jaguars did draft Minshew last year in the sixth round. So why and where would the Jaguars get Fromm? Earliest the Jags would go for Fromm is in the second round with their 42nd pick. If Fromm were to make it out of the second round, he could slide to the Jaguars at 73. Fromm has shown a lot of potentials to be a successful quarterback in the league. He is a high IQ guy who knows the x’s and o’s and could be someone who the Jaguars could build around. They already have a great running back in Leonard Fournette. New Orleans Saints It should be no surprise that the New Orleans Saints are a potential landing spot for Jake Fromm. Fromm has been compared to Drew Brees in the past, and he has even stated that he would like to replicate his game as much as he can like Drew Brees. With Brees approaching retirement, it is expected he has a few more years left in the tank. Fromm would be the perfect prospect to bring in and groom for a few years behind the scenes as Brees finishes out his career in the NFL. The Saints already have a bunch of weapons on offense to win now. Notably, Michael Thomas, one of the best receivers in the league, along with one of the better running backs in Alvin Kamara, who is a jack of all trades out of the backfield for New Orleans. Fromm would benefit significantly from being able to learn behind an experienced, and even a first-ballot quarterback like Drew Brees. The earliest the Saints could reach Fromm would be with the 88th pick in the third round. But don’t be surprised if they trade up into the second round. New England Patriots The Patriots shouldn’t surprise anyone as a team in the market for quarterback after the departure of arguably the greatest quarterback of all-time Tom Brady; Bill Belichick will be looking to win the “breakup.” Current Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels is one of the best in the game and boasted a great relationship with Tom Brady. While Fromm may not be a sixth-rounder like Brady was but Fromm has some similarities in the way they play. Both are highly intelligent quarterbacks who excel at making reads at the line of scrimmage and being the proverbial “game manager.” While undergoing a rebuild after the departure of Brady. The Patriots still have a solid core for a new quarterback to come in and succeed with. New England still has a great offensive line, with two Bulldogs in David Andrews and Isaiah Wynn, along with great running backs, which has Sony Michel in the backfield at times. Fromm would already have familiarity with some of the people in the locker room and would get along well with Belichick as Fromm is a “film junkie” who doesn’t shy away from preparation. If Belichick pulls the trigger on Fromm, it would likely be in the third round, where the Patriots currently have both the 87th and 98th pick. Which they could also package in a deal to trade into the second round if they feel Fromm would go before they could reach him. In my opinion, those are the three likeliest teams to draft Fromm. The favorite is the New England Patriots as they have a lot of draft capital for this year and next year if they want to trade up for him if they feel he won’t make it out of the second round. Two teams not on the list to watch for would be the Colts and the Titans, as they could both take a quarterback in the draft. While many suspect that Fromm could slid down the draft board to rounds three and four, he has been impressing teams as of late with his interviews. But who didn't expect Jake to surprise NFL executives and coaches with his interviewing skills and his adept football knowledge. Wherever Fromm lands in the draft he will have the backing of dawgnation! The Georgia backfield is continuously changing over the years as the never-ending cycle of running backs who come to Athens and light the College Football world on fire for 3-4 years, then turn pro and go on to bigger and better things in the NFL.
That cycle continues this season for the Dawgs, as D’Andre Swift decided to forgo his senior season and pursue the NFL. Swift will be joining Todd Gurley, Sony Michel, Nick Chubb in the elite group of current running backs in the league from Athens. So, where does Georgia turn to next in the backfield? Running backs coach Dell McGee will have a lot of options this coming season at running back as he is returning redshirt sophomore Zamir White, junior James Cook, sophomore Kenny McIntosh. McGee will also be bringing in two freshmen, Kendall Milton and Daijun Edwards. After suffering two ACL tears, Zamir White will have another chance to be the dominant, powerful, agile back that he once was coming out of high school. White saw the field for the first time last season after redshirting his freshman year because of a second ACL tear he suffered in the spring. White was able to contribute well for the Dawgs last season with 408 yards on just 78 carries. Last year was very much a catch up year for White as he was coming off his second ACL injury and was being able to participate at 100%. White showed a lot of potential out of the backfield for Georgia as he ran much like Nick Chubb did in his heydays in Athens. Still has some work to do in the pass protection aspects of things that a running back will need, but White showed that he could be the next bell-cow back for Georgia. Cook is also expected to be seeing a lot of action this year. After two seasons of being used sparingly as he was employed in multiple roles besides being in the backfield. Cook is a very versatile back who can go out and be a receiver, along with being a traditional back. Cook resembles Keith Marshall in the way he plays at running back. Expect James Cook to thrive in the new offensive system this year for Georgia as he will bring added value to the team with his receiving ability. Sophomore Kenny McIntosh is another interesting back for Georgia as he is a traditional back who showed flashes last season. McIntosh holds the longest run of last season as he rushed 62 yards to the endzone against Arkansas State. While McIntosh may lack in terms of speed he makes up for it with his physical prowess, he also boasts an excellent base for a running back. He was used in 12 of 14 games and played exceptionally well against Arkansas State and Murray State. McIntosh has the potential to be a starter for Georgia in a few seasons but will need to work on his agility and speed to play at an elite level. With the loss of Brian Herrien and his power and speed, Georgia was able to replace him through recruiting. Kendall Milton, the four-star running back from Clovis, California, will be looking to contribute immediately for Georgia next season. Milton is a powerful, shifty back with great size as he is 6’1 and weighs in at 215 pounds. Much like Herrien, Milton can take a hit and not lose his balance. Milton has a lot of potentials to play immediately at Georgia as his running style could translate well at the next level. Daijun Edwards is a former 4-star prospect out of Moultrie, Georgia, who many may not know a lot about as he wasn’t covered much by the mainstream until after he committed and signed to play at Georgia. Edwards is the most underrated running back in the 2020 class as he is a versatile back who brings top-tier speed and an ability to cut on a dime without losing momentum. Edwards will translate well into the Monken offense as he is a good catcher out of the backfield who can track a ball over his shoulder and run under it. He is too fast for a linebacker to cover and can make a defensive back miss when he gets the ball. Daijun will give the backs above him a run for his money and will easily win over the fans as he is going to be very entertaining to watch in the red and black. Overall Georgia has a lot of talent in the backfield that is going to be playing for years to come. If there is one thing we know about the Kirby Smart era, it is he always has talent on the depth chart.
For the past two seasons, Georgia has had the deepest offensive line unit in College Football. Georgia's offensive line was filled with talent. It was two-deep at almost every position, which is unusual when there is virtually no drop-off from your starter to your second and third-string offensive linemen. With the departure of five offensive linemen from a year ago, four of which will be going to the NFL, and Cade Mays taking his talents to Rocky Top (Tennessee). Georgia will have a "rebuilding" year at offensive line. But that is what most of the mainstream media are saying as of right now. Many Dawg fans and the media that surround Georgia Football strictly know that the term "rebuilding" is not an accurate description for Georgia's offensive line next season. Offensive line coach Matt Luke has been in the as offensive line coach since December, after the departure of Sam Pittman. Luke had all of the bowl preparations to work with the offensive line and start seeing what he has in the room at the offensive line position for the future. It is also important to note that Luke had to work without both his starting tackles in preparation for the Sugar Bowl as they both skipped the Sugar Bowl as they have entered the NFL Draft. Not only that, but starting right guard, Ben Cleveland was ruled academically ineligible for the Sugar Bowl. These noticeable absences from the Sugar Bowl didn't make or break the Sugar Bowl for the Dawgs as it might of in years past. Georgia overcame the departures of those players, as Coach Luke, in just a few weeks of being in Athens, had suitable replacements. Jamaree Salyer and Cade Mays replaced Andrew Thomas and Isaiah Wilson at the two tackle positions. At the same time, redshirt freshmen Warren Ericson stepped up and played every snap at right guard, replacing Ben Cleveland. Now with the departure of Cade Mays and starting left guard Solomon Kindley. Many see this as a formidable task, but the truth is Coach Luke followed up those departures by bringing a whole new class of talented offensive linemen in the 2020 recruiting class. Georgia was able to sign six offensive linemen that will replace the outgoing five, and those six offensive linemen will all arrive in the summer as they will be asked to start competing for starting jobs across the offensive line immediately. One of the essential parts of the line is already secured, as Trey Hill will be returning as the starting center next season, as long as one of the freshman doesn't push him over to a guard spot. Next season Hill will be a junior, while it is expected that Ben Cleveland will reprise his role at right guard, a position that he had been battling it out with Cade Mays for the permanent job last season. When healthy, Cleveland is a dominant offensive guard who can be considered one of the best in the country. But the questions remains if he can stay healthy enough to last a full season for Georgia and have a chance of getting drafted in a year. Jamaree Salyer, the junior native of Atlanta, Georgia, will most likely be the blind side protector for Jamie Newman (the presumptive starter) on the left side of the line at tackle. Salyer saw extensive action at right tackle last season behind Isaiah Wilson. Salyer notched the start at right tackle in the Sugar Bowl against Baylor and played well. If Salyer can add some agility this offseason, he could be a dominant left tackle next season for Georgia. The only worry about him is if he is quick enough to deal with some of the speed rushers that he will meet off the edge. The two remaining spots along the line will be a good battle as there is one guard spot left, and the right tackle position is still up for grabs. If Cleveland stays on the right then you can expect guys like Warren Ericson and Clay Webb to be challenging for that last spot at guard. Many have singled out Webb, the redshirt freshman to take a big step forward in 2020 as he saw limited action in 2019 but did show improvement along the way. The right tackle position is another exciting position as we will see redshirt freshman Xavier Truss battle it out with some of the freshmen for that last tackle spot. Truss saw limited action in the 2019 season but showed a lot of potential in his showings this past season. He played notably well against Murray State and Arkansas State, where he played at right tackle in both of those games. Look for freshmen like Broderick Jones, Chad Lindberg, and Tate Ratledge to push for that last tackle spot on the starting offensive line. With the number of freshmen that are coming to Athens from the 2020 class, it will make sure that the competition will be high, and the "Top Dawgs" will rightfully rise to the top. "The Great Wall of Athens" is still intact; it is just undergoing some renovation, not a "rebuild." Make sure to subscribe to the Top Dawg Notification Forum, located on the right side of your screen. Simply checking the box to agree to terms and providing your email address, will sign you up for immediate notifications of posts that are posted to Top Dawg Blogging. Thank you and Go Dawgs!
With sports shutdown around the world, Kirby Smart and Georgia are looking to get an extra boost from the recruiting trail.
Georgia just added two significant commitments to the 2021 recruiting class that will be joining two of the most loaded positions at Georgia. Micah Morris Commits to the G Wednesday evening Dawgnation knew that there was something big coming in the news when Coach Smart posted his annual “Go Dawgs!” tweet. Micah Morris, the four-star offensive tackle, announced that he’d be staying home to play at the University of Georgia. Morris meets all of the credentials to be an offensive lineman at the University of Georgia, as he brings 6’4, 315 pounds, along with a dominant style of play at offensive tackle. Morris is ranked the 7th best player in the state of Georgia according to 247Sports, while he is the 11th ranked tackle in the 2021 class. This is a massive commitment for offensive line coach Matt Luke as he adds another versatile lineman for Georgia in the 2021 class. RBU Keeps Getting Better The best university in College Football for producing NFL quality running backs continues to grab talent. Just early this afternoon, Lovasea Carroll announced via Twitter that he’d be joining the Running Back University in Athens at the University of Georgia. Carroll brings another versatile back to the backfield for Georgia as he is just as good as a receiver out of the backfield as he is taking handoffs and making plays running the ball. Carroll is a native of the Peach State, as he is from Warrenton County, but he currently attends IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. One of the best running backs in the class as he ranks 8th in the country at running back according to 247Sports. Will bring much-needed speed and power to the Georgia backfield. These are huge commitments for Georgia's 2021 class as it is now up to 6 commitments. Both players will from the state of Georgia, which is even more of a reason for celebration for Georgia fans, as the Georgia staff continues to lockdown the Peach State. Top Dawgs On Twitter
Being selected in the NFL Draft is a dream for most college football players. It certainly is for 2019 Georgia Bulldog Starting linebacker Tae Crowder. I had the chance to talk to Tae about his career in Athens and his preparation for the upcoming draft.
In these days of high profile recruits committing to the Dawgs, Crowder “stands out” as an under the radar player. While he may have been overlooked initially, Tae Crowder’s senior year at Harris County High School could not be ignored after he rushed for 1,665 yards and 27 touchdowns. His standout season helped Harris County Tigers to a 9-4 record, and they advanced to the second round of the 5A state playoffs. While Tae Crowder dreams of the NFL these days, in high school, he dreamed of playing between the Hedges. He was first a commitment to Georgia Southern until his stellar play as a senior earned him an offer from Georgia. Recruiting “was a fun process. I always knew where I wanted to go. I knew I always wanted to play for Georgia, but, at the time, I didn’t have that offer. It was kind of frustrating, but it was fun. It’s something you definitely want to go through if you’re an athlete. When I got that late offer from Georgia, it was a blessing.” “Strong, Willing, and Competitive.” These are the three words Crowder described himself by. Tae did a great job with his word choices because they really sum up his career in Athens as a player who excelled on the field in whatever role he was asked to play. Tae Crowder would redshirt his first year, and it was a learning experience for him. “It was frustrating. But going through things like that would never be easy. I had to fight a little bit of adversity, but it helped me in the long run.” After his redshirt year practicing at running back, Coach Smart approached him with an opportunity to change positions. “I just had a conversation with Coach Kirby Smart. I was on the scout team having fun with it, competing and just doing a good job of giving good looks. I guess he saw that and gave me an opportunity to play in the field. He saw me best at linebacker.” Tae willingly moved to middle linebacker, a position of need for Georgia. And he did what Crowder does best, compete. After putting a lot of hard work in as a scout team linebacker his redshirt freshman year, Crowder started to flash his ability on game day as a sophomore. He had this to say about the first tackle of his college career against Tennessee that season, “It was really weird. At the moment, I was like I just made a tackle, I can get used to this. But I just kept going with it and keep getting better and better each week as I can.” That 2017 season was a big one obviously for the entire Georgia team but also personally for Crowder. “It was a learning experience, it was a great year for us as a team. It was when it all started to kind of get better for me. I made a big play that year and started playing more and doing things that I never thought I would do.” During his career, Crowder learned leadership from some all-time Georgia greats like Nick Chubb and Sony Michel at running back and 2017 Butkus Award Roquan Smith at linebacker. “They did a great job of leading the team and leading the younger players. Just being around them and growing to see what they do and see how they do certain things, as a younger guy, you can learn from that. They did a great job of showing the ropes.” Crowder recorded his first five starts at linebacker in 2018 and set himself up to star at middle linebacker as a senior this past season. Tae Crowder's last game as a Bulldog was significant to him. Seeking to prevent another Sugar Bowl let down, Coach Smart pointed out that with a win against Baylor, Crowder’s senior class would tie the school record for most wins by a senior class (44). “Coach Smart kind of told us he wanted us to finish it outright. He wanted us actually to want to play them, and actually want to win. He did a lot of different things that week to get us motivated, but that was one thing that he showed the team.” Looking back on his time at Athens, Crowder believes his biggest accomplishment would be “I would say graduate, but I got two more classes, that will definitely be one of the biggest. But finishing a blessed career, I would say. That is something I would say is my biggest accomplishment.” We talked about the lessons Crowder will take with him after graduation. “Off the field is making sure you go to class, take school seriously because it will definitely help you. It is one of the best universities, so why not go ahead and get your degree. And on the field when you fight adversity, don’t look as if I'm just going to give up, keep going and work as hard as you can, and see how it works out.” Things definitely worked out for Crowder at Georgia and now he is putting his strength, willingness and competitive nature to use preparing for the draft. “It’s been a little hard to find somewhere to workout. You have to keep going, do what you can do, and control what you control.” Crowder’s senior class will go down as the class that helped put Georgia back on the National Championship contention map for years to come. “I just look at all of that type of stuff as a blessing, going to Georgia to win championships. That’s some things we could say we did, and it is a blessing to be a part of that.” Tae Crowder is the type of player that every program needs. One that is willing to work hard, do what is best for the team and never give up. Those are all qualities that Georgia fans will remember him for and that will serve him well after graduation, both in the NFL and in life. You can keep up to date with all things Georgia Football by subscribing to the Top Dawg Notification Forum, where notifications of a post are sent directly to your email. Also, make sure to follow @TopDawg_Blogs on Twitter. Thank you for choosing Top Dawg Blogging for your place for Georgia Football coverage! This article was made possible by our sponsor, Retros By Paul, "Retro and unique furniture and jewelry with a large selection of quality pre-loved-items. From antiques to modern styles." All of which are located in Atlanta, Georgia! Thank you, Retros by Paul for your continued support of Top Dawg Blogging! Go Dawgs!
There has been a lot of turnover just in the last weeks in the world as we continue to go through uncertain times. The Georgia offense has also seen a lot of turnover this offseason. One of the positions for Georgia that may be hit hardest by this turnover due to players leaving for the NFL Draft is at quarterback. As a three-year starter, Jake Fromm decided that it was time to move on from Athens and pursue his dream of playing in the NFL. This offseason hasn't been like offseasons of the past for Georgia in ways like having no spring football right now because of a health emergency that has shut down the country. One thing has not changed from the last three years as Georgia once again will be dealing with a large number of changes in the players that will be playing next season in Athens. After the departure of Fromm, Georgia was able to rebound quickly as they dunked their head into the transfer portal and was able to bring in graduate transfer quarterback Jamie Newman from Wake Forest. Newman helped lead the Demon Deacons to an 8-5 record last season as he was the star on offense. Now with him arriving in Athens, it will be a significant departure from the precedent that Georgia has set with their other starting quarterbacks. Newman is a dual-threat quarterback, as he presents the threat of being able to throw the ball, while also having the danger of using his legs to make plays. The last true dual-threat quarterback that started in Athens and had success was DJ Shockley as he leads the Dawgs to an SEC Championship and a ten-win season in 2005. It would be Shockley's single-season as a starter as he sat behind David Greene for three years before he [Shockley] got a shot at the starting job. Joining Newman in the quarterback room will be junior Stetson Bennett, the backup to Fromm last season as he played in 5 games while completing 20 of his 27 passes, with two touchdowns. D'wan Mathis, a redshirt freshman and former four-star quarterback who dealt with an injury last season that kept him from playing in a single game for Georgia's previous season will be competing for the job. Mathis did arrive in Athens in January of last year and was able to compete in winter and spring before undergoing brain surgery to remove a cist. Georgia will also be having a freshman join the quarterback room in the fall when they are allowed to begin practice again. Carson Beck, the four-star quarterback from Mandarin High School in Jacksonville, Florida. It will serve as no surprise that there is already a clear front runner to win the starting job for Georgia to come next fall. Jamie Newman has the most collegiate experience out of all the four quarterbacks that will have a chance to compete for the job. Other than the big gap in experience between the competitors, the playing field is level when it comes to the system and playbook that will be run in Athens next season. Kirby Smart decided to shake things up on the offensive side of things as he replaced scrutinized offensive coordinator James Coley after one season at the helm. Kirby opted to "reinvent the wheel" as he chooses former Browns Offensive Coordinator and highly regarded offensive mind Todd Monken to run his famous air raid offense in between the hedges. Without spring football, Georgia lost valuable time to install the new offense and to let the players start learning the playbook and getting field reps. This loss of time will significantly hurt the quarterbacks as they are expected to be the leader of the offense and will now have to pick up the pace when it comes to learning the offense. It is highly expected that Newman will be the starting quarterback next fall as he will begin the new era in Georgia football, as they go away from the long run pro-style offense that has dominated Georgia for much of the 21st century. For fans that are still mourning the loss of Justin Fields, Newman will be the closest thing that Georgia fans will get to having a Justin Fields at quarterback. Newman is a great runner who has power and speed to beat defenses with his legs. Along with a good arm that can make the passes that he will need. Newman will be inheriting a more experienced receiving core that will be led by Sugar Bowl MVP George Pickens. Along with Pickens, Georgia will have a host of weapons at receiver next season. Newman will work well with a good offensive line; although they will be trying to replace 4 out of the five starters from a year ago, along with a swiss army knife linemen (Cade Mays), it will be a talented group. You can keep up to date with all things Georgia Football by subscribing to the Top Dawg Notification Forum, where notifications of a post are sent directly to your email. Also, make sure to follow @TopDawg_Blogs on Twitter. With the vast amount of talent that Georgia is returning from the previous season, it also lost some key contributors from the past season.
The loss of Jake Fromm, D’Andre Swift, and five offensive linemen and Rodrigo Blankenship will be some of the departures that could have a long-lasting impact on the program. Defensively the loss of JR Reed is a huge one but one that can be replaced by this season with the emergence of Lewis Cine. The Georgia staff did a great job this offseason by bringing in recruits who can contribute immediately this season for Georgia as a freshman. Not only did they bring in freshmen, but they dipped their feet into the transfer market. Former Wake Forest quarterback Jamie Newman and former Florida State tight end Tre’ McKitty will both bring veteran experience to their positions. But they are five players specifically that need to be highlighted as players who need to step up for Georgia to be successful in 2020. Zamir White White came to Athens with a torn ACL after he tore in his senior season coming out of Scotland County High School in Laurinburg, North Carolina. A big physical back with speed and shiftiness. When he got to Athens he tore his other ACL which would effectively end his freshman season before it could even get started as he tore it during spring practice. After a redshirt year, this past season was Georgia’s first glimpse of Zamir White in a Georgia uniform. He has shown a lot of potentials, especially with his speed and power. He has a great ability to be a protector in the pocket and can leave the backfield and be a receiver. One thing that was missing from White this season was his shiftiness that he showed in high school. Now that can be expected when someone is coming back from an ACL injury, but the fact is White is coming back from two. The performance he put up in the Sugar Bowl and throughout the season is a testament to his character and determination that he has to succeed. If White can put it all together next season, he will be the feature back for years to come. Demetrius Robertson Demetrius Robertson, the former California Golden Bear, transferred to Georgia two seasons ago with high hopes that he would provide another reliable receiving threat to go alongside Riley Ridley, Mecole Hardman, and Terry Godwin. In his first season at Georgia, he dealt with a few injuries, and we didn’t see much of him. This past season he was primarily healthy but didn’t put up the numbers that many expected from him when he first announced he’d be coming to Athens. D-Rob is going into his senior season and has a lot to prove if he has aspirations of going to the NFL after next season. He will need to step up big time for Georgia next year as defenses will likely key in on George Pickens as the primary threat out wide. If Robertson can prove a solid threat at receiver for Georgia, then the offense will be dangerous. Monken’s past systems have been primarily through the air and using all different types of receivers. Malik Herring The defensive line for Georgia next season is expected to be one of the best it has had in Athens in a long time. Malik Herring will be one of the guys to watch as he enters his senior season in Athens. Herring has seen some of his best performances against Florida as he has been able to pressure the quarterback. Which is one of his best attributes as he is a constant threat to any offensive line that he faces. While Herring has been dominant in the run game where he usually lines up inside of the tackle and guard, he could improve on getting to the quarterback. Herring was ranked third among all defenders in pressuring the QB with 18 last season. If he wants to make it to the NFL, he needs to rack up more sacks. One of his best plays last season was against Florida, where he assisted a sack with Jordan Davis. The Georgia defensive line will be looking to Herring’s senior leadership next season. Nakobe Dean Another rising sophomore who showed a lot of potential last season for Georgia on defense. Dean was a highly recruited linebacker coming out of high school and choose Georgia as his school for the next 3 or 4 years of his football career. Dean is a talented inside linebacker who was dominant in pass coverage for Georgia a season ago, although he was just a freshman. He also was one of the best blitzing linebackers for Georgia last season as his speed was able to pressure the quarterback. Dean will be playing alongside senior Monty Rice, who has shown to a do it all middle linebacker for Georgia. Dean is talented enough to play the role of Tae Crowder as he stops the run and helps out in coverage. Not only that, but he can be used as a pass-rushing threat up the middle or even off the edge. Dean is the middle linebacker of the future for Georgia. Lewis Cine Lewis Cine, also known as “Lewis Sixteen,” was the breakout star that Georgia was looking for at the end of the season. Cine got his first two collegiate starts against LSU in the SEC Championship and had a total of 6 tackles (career-high). His second start came a few weeks later against Baylor, where he filled in for JR Reed, who didn’t travel for the Sugar Bowl because of injury. Cine ended up playing very well alongside fellow safety Richard LeCounte. Cine is already being penciled in as the replacement for Reed as Cine has proven to work well in coverage and can fill the role of reading the quarterback and going to make a play on the ball. Cine has big shoes to fill as JR Reed had a great season last year, which saw his draft stock rise. If Cine can continue to learn and improve, he and LeCounte could be a formidable opponent for any offense that Georgia may face. |
Harrison Reno
Is the founder and author of Top Dawg Blogging. Harrison has been blogging for the past 4 years Archives
April 2020
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