Repeat ...
SEC Preview
Win in Atlanta ...
Win it all !!! ONE OF A KIND
Luxury Boutique Hotel In the Heart of the St. Simons Island Village
Catty corner to the Lighthouse 599 Beachview Drive St. Simons Island
912-634-2122 oceaninnsuites.com
PLEASE compare our location, quality and rates
O PE N
NO W
Before surgery, all he could carry was a tune. What is the mark of successful back surgery? Becoming pain free quickly and getting back to doing the things you need to do. At the new Southeast Georgia Health System Orthopaedic & Spine Center, that’s how we’re making our mark. Experienced surgeons and physicians. State-of-the-art facilities. Results-driven rehabilitation. All under one roof and close to home. Ask your doctor about us. For more information, call 912-466-2323 or visit sghs.org/orthospine.
BACK SURGERY
0ARKWOOD $RIVE s "RUNSWICK '! s SGHS ORG ORTHOSPINE
Š 2012 SGHS
3OUTHEAST 'EORGIA (EALTH 3YSTEM IS A TOBACCO FREE ORGANIZATION
7/2012
From the editor : vance leavy Now that we’re on the backside of summer, anyone who loves college football is sure to be clamoring for kickoff that is just over a month away. And this past week, fans were given a temporary fix as all the teams in the Southeastern Conference congregated at the annual media days in Birmingham. It was a circus over there according to our guys’ Murray Poole and Travis Ragsdale. They made the trip to not only see what our Bulldogs had to say, but also to hear from the other teams in college football’s best conference. As you will read on page 22, Abry Jones, Jarvis Jones and Tavarres King were the selected Bulldog players there to answer the media’s questions. Naturally, they were asked about Georgia’s young offensive line the most. Collectively, they all agreed with the media in the fact that our O-line does lack experience. But thankfully it appears Will Friend’s crew has bonded as a team. And most importantly, the word is there is no quit in any of them. That’s great to hear because the SEC opener on the road in Missouri is sure to be rowdy, which will test them immensely. Beginning on page 16, Murray Poole looks at what each team had to say at media days. To no one’s surprise, it appears LSU and Alabama are yet again the top contenders from the SEC West. Let’s go ahead and admit it, those two teams represent what every team in the conference is hoping to be. They both have sound coaching, believe in running the football and let their stellar defense dictate their overall game plan. In the East, the media loves the Dawgs, which is just fine by me. Like in our Season Preview issue that came out in early June, once again we here at BI have gone with a cover (for this issue) that isn’t shy about our expectations. Repeat ‌ Win in Atlanta ‌ Win it all! You have to admit how sweet Rob Saye’s photo of last year’s SEC East Champion ring looks? The question now is whether this team has the true fortitude and commitment to not only win the East, but also the two games that would follow. I do like our chances, but I think 2012 is going to come down to three individuals ‌ Aaron Murray, Coach Bobo and Coach Richt. Will Murray learn from last season and realize that forcing things too much caused more problems than it helped? Will Coach Bobo realize that Geor-
gia’s stout defense means playing conservatively on offense isn’t always a terrible thing? Finally will Coach Richt have all his coaches and players in sync from the opening game all the way through the last game of the season? Is across the board precision too much to ask? There’s my two cents. Now I better get back to this issue. As we always do in this issue, Jeff Dantzler names his pre-season All-SEC team on page 10. Bama (7), LSU (6) and Georgia (5) lead the way with the top players in the conference according to JD. And I love seeing how high he is on Dogs’ defensive lineman, Abry Jones. And on page 4, JD had some fun by coming up with an All-SEC team from the last six years. After reading the names of all those studs, it’s really no wonder that our conference has brought home the crystal in all of those years. SEC ‌ SEC ‌ SEC. For the recruiting gurus out there, Carlton DeVooght returns in this issue on page 21. Georgia’s class of 2013 is getting bigger and better by the day. And like he says, it’s sure to be even more stellar once we win the SEC East. Finally don’t forget to check out all the fan photos throughout this issue. From golf tournaments to Countdown to Kickoff to FCA, our camera hasn’t had much of a summer break. And that’s a good thing because we will want it sharp when the season begins September 1 in Sanford Stadium. Gosh, what does it take to make that day get here sooner? Before I go, a big shout out goes to former Georgia great, Jake Scott, who was recently inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. He was literally so disruptive during his playing days, that the powers to be just now finally decided to give him his due. A much deserved honor, to say the least. Gotta run now, but we’ll see you in three weeks with our Fall Camp issue. How nice it will be to finally be able to report on something other than all this hype. Also, when practice begins around the beginning of August, keep up with how the team is progressing at www.bulldawgillustrated. And while you are there, make sure you register for our newsletter. By doing that, you will never miss any photos we take or any issue we produce. Until next time ‌ Repeat ‌ Win in Atlanta ‌ Win it all!
NE VER SE E T TLE FOR L LESS NEVER SETTLE YOU DESERVE MOORE
SEC Preview Cha Cha Cha Publishing Inc. Editor Vance Leavy Editorial & Ad Director Cheri Leavy Sports Guru Jeff Dantzler Sales Caroline Kinney, Alan Lanier, Holly Stanfill, Sports Murray Poole Travis Ragsdale Layout/Design Cheri Leavy, Vance Leavy Sports Photography Travis Ragsdale Cover photo Rob Saye Columnists Carlton DeVooght Al Hickson Rob Sherrell Loran Smith Chad White Student Editor Travis Ragsdale Interns Katherine Parke Pierce Persons Delivery Hatton Abernathy, Martin Cameron Jake Davis, Will Hayes, Frank Sinkwich IV, Champ Vance
SEC Preview, July 24, 2012 FOR ADVERTISING OR TO SUBSCRIBE:
1-877-456-4624 www.bulldawgillustrated.com
IS YOUR YOUR BUSIN BUSINESS NESS GE GETTING T TING THE A ATTENTION T TEENTION IT DESER DESERVES? VES?
Cocktails • Games • Dinner • Live Auction • Dancing Celebrity Coaches and Players
Tickets: $150 person • $1,250 table of 10 Atlanta
Coastal Georgia
Gwinne
Benefitting the American Cancer Society For more information, visit SuitsAndSneakersGa.org
www.mstiller.com w ww.mstiller.com
1612 Newcastle Street ˜ Suite 200 ˜ Brunswick, GA 31520 ˜ 912-265-1750 www.bulldawgillustrated.com
3
• Angus Snack Wraps
•
McCafe Frappes
•
Happy Meals
2230 W. Broad St 706-549-4265 475 US Hwy. 29 706-549-0067 1124 Prince Ave. 706-543-0522 3825 Atlanta Hwy 706-613-0340 150 Gaines School Rd. 706-543-8010 1741 Epps Bridge Pkwy. 706-227-9200
Springtime means ... new Experience a tasty Smoothie time thrill ... Cherry Berry Chiller Real Fruit Smoothies
• Angus Snack Wraps
•
McCafe Frappes
•
Chicken McNuggets • Quarter pounder w/Cheese • Premium Salads
Chicken McNuggets • Quarter pounder w/Cheese • Premium Salads
Real Fruit Smoothies
Happy Meals
GEORGIA BULLDOGS
GO DAWGS
GO DAWGS
YOU CAN TALK THE TALK ... BUT ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS !
KICKOFF SEPT 1st
"LADY DAWG" HEADQUARTERS SINCE 1974 SPORTSWEAR 2-16 + PLUS SIZE SECTION 1X-3X ACCESSORIES + GIFTS
1616 Frederica Road + St. Simons Island 912-638-3995 + 10- 5:30 MON.-SAT.
jeff dantzler Six years and counting ... the MVPs of the run No conference had captured more than three straight national championships. The mighty Southeastern Conference has won six consecutive national championships. No league had ever had more than two different schools win successive nationals. Over a four year stretch from 2007-2010, four different sec schools won national championships – sandwiched between captured crowns from Florida in 2006 and Alabama in 2011. Over this six year run of dominance, capped in an SEC vs. SEC showdown for the 2011title, four other league squads finished in the top three of the final polls. It’s insanely rugged to get through this league on top. But the fierce competition clearly has prepared for title tilts. The math gets fouled up because of last year’s intra-conference national championship battle, but the SEC had won eight straight national championship games, five by double digits. Every year the SEC has the best players. Every year the SEC has the most elite NFL draft picks. Every year the SEC cleans up in recruiting like no other. The talent in this league is unsurpassed. I’ve made the case before that it, in relative terms (assuming that only All-Americans are in the Heisman race), it is tougher to be named SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors than college football’s most coveted individual award. Oh yeah, over this six year run of national championships, the SEC has also produced three Heisman winners. One will not make this SEC Super Team of the national championship era from 2006-11. You can only have one quarterback. So I’ll go ahead and cop out with this: Tim Tebow had the greatest career of any SEC quarterback. Cam Newton had arguably the greatest single season of any player in SEC history. Quarterback
Tim Tebow, Florida – A part of two national championships and a Heisman winner, the Gators great gets the nod behind center. He was a winner with phenomenal stats and a three time Heisman finalist.
GEORGIA BULLDAWGS
Running Back
Darren McFadden, Arkansas – “Run DMc” was the SEC’s best back since Bo Jackson. Lightning fast, powerful and shifty with great footwork and vision, he is college football’s only two time Heisman runner-up. Mark Ingram, Alabama – This was a tough call. His teammate Trent Richardson and Georgia’s Knowshon Moreno are right in the picture. But to win Alabama’s first Heisman on a perfect 14-0 national championship team that beat Florida and Texas by 19 and 16 to win the SEC and BCS caps it. Wide Receiver
Percy Harvin, Florida – Just a different looking athlete, Harvin was the SEC’s elite perimeter multi-purpose big play threat for three seasons. Florida doesn’t win the two titles in ’06 and ’08 without him. In a league of speed, like McFadden, he was faster.
Athens Area Cancer Auxiliary presents “Toast of the Town” Thursday, August 9
th
Georgia Theater
A.J. Green, Georgia – The greatest receiver in Bulldog annals was a cut above. He played with three different quarterbacks and played just two and a half years, but Green was dazzling with a full array of skills coveted by every passcatcher. Tight End
Aaron Hernandez, Florida – One of the toughest players to cover in the SEC. Tim Tebow’s favorite target over the middle had great hands and was tough to bring down.
Maurkice Pouncey, Florda – Now considered one of the NFL’s finest centers, Pouncey (and twin brother Mike) were big, athletic lead men for Tebow. Lee Ziemba, Auburn – Captain of Auburn’s dynamite national championship offensive line in 2010, he was Cam Newton’s best friend on the old freeze option left. Defensive Line
Glenn Dorsey, LSU – Tough, powerful, quick, strong and with the heart of a lion, Dorsey the dominator stands out amongst all of the great defensive linemen to come out of Baton Rouge in the 2000s. Nick Fairley, Auburn – This impossible to block beast dominated the 2011 BCS Championship Game. Oregon had no answers. Terrance Cody, Alabama – He was the face of Alabama’s rejuvenation under Nick Saban in 2008 and 2009. The blocked field goal against Tennessee in ’09 preserved the perfect season. Jarvis Moss, Florida – In 2006, he blocked the extra point and field goal in a 1716 win over South Carolina. Moss then chased down Troy Smith in the standout play from the Tempe blowout of the Buckeyes for the crystal football. Linebacker
Rolando McClain, Alabama – It has been Linebacker U. in Tuscaloosa the last four seasons, and McClain is the best. And that’s saying something. He was a great player and coach on the field. Patrick Willis, Ole Miss – One of the greatest linebackers in SEC history, this total package tackling machine is now the NFL’s best ‘backer. Brandon Spikes, Florida – Yeah he gouged eyes and taunted, but Spikes was a monster and the Gators top defender in ’08’09 when Florida went 26-2. Cornerback
Patrick Peterson, LSU – One of the most talented corners and returners the SEC has produced, Petersen was electric with the ball in his hands and had phenomenal skills. He was NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2011. Morris Claiborne, LSU – But there was little dropoff after Peterson left, because Claiborne stepped up and Tyrann Mathieu stepped in. Claiborne, like Peterson and Mathieu, had a nose for the ball and end zone. He was phenomenal in coverage a year ago. Safety
Eric Berry, Tennessee – In my lifetime, Berry is the greatest defender I’ve seen Georgia face. The stat that says it all is that he broke the SEC interception return yardage record midway through his sophomore season. Mark Barron, Alabama – What a great defense Alabama had a year ago, and Barron was the highest of several picked in the draft. Big hitter, excellent ball skills, big play maker … one of Saban’s best. Kicker
Colt David, LSU – He made some clutch kicks for the Tigers in 2007 en route to the BCS Championship. Punter
Featuring Yacht Rock Revue Ticket includes 2 drink tickets, food from White Tiger, and Live Entertainment All proceeds from this event stay in the Athens area and will support : Athens Regional Medical Center Breast Health Center Loran Smith Center for Cancer Support St. Mary’s Hospice House The Clute Barrow Nelson Foundation Mercy Health Center The Cancer Foundation of Northeast Georgia
4
Tickets are $40 and are available for purchase from any AACA member. Tickets can also be purchased online through at www.athensareacancerauxiliary.org (with a $2 service fee). JWR Jeweler’s has donated a diamond pendant for this year’s diamond raffle. New to this year’s event, tickets can be purchased online before the event! Tickets for the raffle are also available at www.athensareacancerauxiliary.org.
Offensive Line
Andre Smith, Alabama – Whenever Alabama needed a first down, the Crimson Tide would run left. He’s the best run-blocking left tackle the SEC has produced in the 2000s. Smith was just a massive steam-roller.
Drew Butler, Georgia – His father Kevin is the greatest college football kicker ever. Drew followed right in his dad’s footsteps and is one of the best punters ever to come through the SEC. Returner
Michael Oher, Ole Miss – He gained national fame as the subject of the best-seller “The Blind Side,” and was a great tackle for the Rebels. Oher was a huge tackle who could move like few his size. Hence the interest.
Brandon James, Florida – This shifty speedster was a heart-breaker. You’d be within a touchdown or so, think you would pin the Gators deep, and boom, then came an 88-yard touchdown.
Herman Johnson, LSU – The biggest baby ever born in the state of Louisiana, Johnson grew to 6-7, 360 and was a powerhouse on the run.
The passion, the pageantry, the programs and the players from the greatest conference ever … it returns soon.
Bulldawg Illustrated
poole shots By Murray Poole
2012 Model Year End Clearance e
Shipley inherits athletic board experience David Shipley didn’t grow up watching SEC football but now, in his role as faculty athletic representative on the University of Georgia Athletic Association Board of Directors, he’s become of course a die-hard fan of the Bulldogs as well as the Southeastern Conference. In fact, you might say Shipley has taken a SEC Tour. That’s because he first served as associate dean of the University of South Carolina law school and then as the dean of the law schools at Ole Miss, the University of Kentucky and Georgia. Shipley was dean of the UGA law school from 1998 to 2003 before returning to the university’s faculty as a law professor. “I was elected to the athletic board in 2008 and once Jere Morehead was appointed provost, that’s when President (Michael) Adams contacted me and asked me if I would become the new faculty athletic representative to take over for Jere Morehead,” Shipley said. “So I was sort of an FAR in training with professor Morehead for about six months and then I became the FAR and secretary for the athletic board on July 1, 2010. Every college has a faculty athletic representative to the NCAA.” Shipley’s teaching career began at South Carolina. “My first football game I watched at USC was 1977,” he recalled. “I was a brand new professor and it was Georgia versus the Gamecocks and I checked today because memory fails after 30-plus years, and that was a bad year for the Dogs. I think they had a losing record but they beat the Gamecocks 15-13. So that was my first football game in the South.” A native of Champaign, Illinois, Shipley inherited much of his athletic board familiarity from his dad. “My dad was a professor at the University of Illinois and actually served on the athletic board up there in the 1960s and early ‘70s so I’ve been around big-time college football for most of my life,” said Shipley. “I grew up in the Big Ten and made the conversion once I moved south.” In the following question-and-answer session with Bulldawg Illustrated, David Shipley talks more about his background, his teaching career and his role on the UGA athletic board. What is your occupation?
I’m just a regular law professor. I teach a required first year course called civil procedure and I also teach administrative law and remedies and do the other things that a professor is supposed to do. I try to do research and writing and spend a lot of time talking to my students. How many years have you served on the UGA athletic board?
Like I mentioned, I was elected to the athletic board in 2008 and that was an election by the university council. And then I was made the FAR effective July 1, 2010. Where did you grow up and what made it special?
I’m from the Midwest and with my dad serving on the athletic board at Illinois, I learned when I was in junior high and high school how important athletics can be to a major university like U. of I. and like the University of Georgia. And they went through some very serious problems during my dad’s tenure on the board so I learned at a fairly young age the importance of football and the importance of having a successful program and fans in the stands. I remember when I might have been in junior high seeing Jim Grabowski play running back for the Fighting Illini and also seeing Dick Butkus so I’ve been a football fan like that since I was pretty young and once I moved south I shifted allegiance to the SEC pretty quickly. What has been the most exciting part for you serving on UGA’s athletic board?
I think my greatest reward has been from chairing the search committee that led to the hiring of (athletic director) Greg McGarity. That was my first assignment once I got on the board and it was a very interesting process. We had great candidates and I think in my opinion we’ve ended up with a great athletic director in Greg. Two years on the job, I think he has been superb in what he has done with our program. He has proven the decision President Adams made to be a great decision. Everything Greg has done has been spot-on from the beginning and it is a darn tough job.
www.bulldawgillustrated.com
Accord EX-L V-6 Sedan dan
0.9
nancing a available vailable o on n all all new new 2 2012 012 H Honda onda A Accords ccords % fifinancing
now w thru th hru September 4th. See See dealer for for details. details. APR no
What has been the most exciting aspect of your career?
I think the most exciting part is the satisfaction of successful students, young men and women that you teach. When you hear back from a student you taught 15, 20 years ago and they let you know how much your course or your attention to them meant to their career, that’s a fantastic payback for what you do. And I often have sons and daughters of former students come back to law school. I’ve actually had students here who are the sons and daughters of men and women I taught at South Carolina 25, 30 years ago and it is incredibly rewarding. What do you think are the biggest challenges for Georgia athletics in the near future?
I think everything is on the right track, academically, athletic success and so on. I know Greg would like us overall to be higher in the – what’s it called now – the Director’s cup, the Learfield Cup. When you look at all teams’ success, I think we were 18th this year and we’ve been higher than that so that will be a challenge to move up and at the same time maintain the great academic success we’ve had the last couple of years. I think the overall team GPA, all teams all sports, was above a 3-point so we certainly do really well in that area. Can we maintain that, can we improve on the overall record on the field and also, bottom line, I don’t want to get into what Frank Crumley (Executive Associate AD of Financial Operations) does but we’ve got to be in the black. We have to be a money-making operation. And how can you do all that, athletic success, financial success and academic success for your student athletes with integrity, honesty and fairness? We’re doing it now and I have no doubt we’ll do it in the future.
Proud sup supporters pporters of the Georgia Bull Bulldogs ldogs since 1976 3200 320 00 Atlanta Hwy Athens, Ga G 1-800-969-0347 w w w . p h i l h u g h e s h o n d a . c o m ©2012 ©20 12 American Honda Motor Co., C Inc. All inf information ormation cont contained ained herein n applies to U U.S. .S. products only only.. Please see our o P Privacy rivacy P Policy olicy and L Legal egal T Terms e erms and Conditions. C
How has the knowledge from your occupation helped in the betterment of UGA athletics?
Well, I think President Adams felt it was important to have the FAR be a lawyer after his experience with Professor Morehead in that position. And I guess what I bring to the position is a sense of what the university does across the board. I’ve served on a lot of committees and positions campus-wide, I really value what students go through to be successful and I know process, I know fairness and I have some understanding of what the law is. Plus, I think I know how to learn on the job. There’s not a handbook out there for me as such or for an FAR but I think I bring some knowledge, some expertise, and some experience that’s valuable for what I’m doing. And I got to admit, I told somebody else that being FAR and serving on the board is like icing on the cake for me with my career in higher education. This is a really rewarding and enjoyable experience and I hope it lasts for quite a few more years. Your favorite UGA sports moment?
I’ve got to admit I still laugh about when (tight end) Aron White went into the end zone last year and fell into the hedges and they had to pull him out. I had gotten to know Aron pretty well and it was a fantastic touchdown and for him to come out holding that ball, that was a great moment and I know he enjoyed it and so did I. Aron served as student-athlete representative on the board and he was our nominee to the conference for the Brad Davis (Community Service Post-Graduate Scholarship) Award. I’m sorry he didn’t get the award but he’s an impressive young man … graduated early, graduate school, successful student-athlete, articulate, great presence, he’s everything you could ask for as a student-athlete representative of our university.
5
LOCAL VIBE
Travis Ragsdale
AWESOME WINES TAPAS MENU
Plenty of hype at SEC Media Days ...
Steve Spurrier
d
photo by Travis Ragsdale
3415 Frederica Road | St. Simons Island 912.638.1330 Open Tues.–Sat.: 11-2 p.m., Dinner 6-10 p.m., Bar 5 until. Reservations Recommended
Scan to view menus
DERICioAus. E R F é f a c e li c s im p le. d lo c a l.
café
FREDERICA best seat in town
Pro roudl udlyy serv s rving v ingg Bo Boar’ ar’ss Head H ead produ p du cts. t Sliced ed de d lili meaa ts ava availa i ble ila ble. bl
6
10 Sylvan Drive St. Simons Island (912) 638-6777
Open 7 days 7:30–2:00 Behind Evelyne Talman’s
Another Summer and another round of SEC Media Days. Not much excitement is ever expected in the days leading up to SEC Media Days from Birmingham. But this year was different. With the additions of Texas A&M and Missouri to the conference, anticipation was at a high. Media members swarmed the new teams with repeated questions about what it’s going to be like to now be in the “big leagues” of college football. The regulars came out to play as well with Steve Spurrier calling out two teams in the same quote, Nick Saban acting as if he was the sole deity of the SEC, and James Franklin talking Vanderbilt up as if they were the 1985 Chicago Bears. A few surprises surfaced as well to make for a very interesting week. But what does it all mean? Talk is cheap; who is going to back it up once the hitting starts? In the west, the usual favorites are still there. Alabama and LSU will likely top that side of the conference. We learned at SEC Media Days that Alabama has a ton to replace from their 2011 National Championship team. But one thing we’ve learned about the Crimson Tide is that they don’t have down years, they simply reload. Running back Eddie Lacy returns as one of the three best backs in the SEC and could be a dark horse for the Heisman given Alabama’s past with successful running backs. Les Miles and LSU will be back in the hunt to get back to Atlanta in 2012 as well. In fact, LSU was picked by the media to win the SEC west. The only big question mark for LSU comes in a familiar face for Georgia fans with Zach Mettenberger. If you recall, Mettenberger originally came to UGA to play football but was dismissed from the team following a 2010 arrest. Now, Mettenberger is the starting quarterback for the Tigers. Mettenberger’s talent was never questioned while at Georgia, in fact, many said that Mettenberger had a stronger arm than even Matthew Stafford. The only problem for LSU is that they had gotten used to a quarterback that could run the ball on a consistent basis. As Mettenberger is not capable of being a mobile quarterback, some adjustments will have to be made to the LSU offense. The Tiger’s defense will be top notch once again returning two of the best defensive backs in the country in Tyrann Mathieu and Eric Reid. However, they will have to show those talents off against the gun slinging style of another SEC West team’s offense. Given all the controversy surrounding Arkansas this off-season, media members didn’t expect much, if anything, out of the Razorbacks at Media Days. They could not have been more wrong. John L. Smith, Arkansas’ new head coach, stole the show once he took the podium. He was as straightforward as any of the other coaches there. Several times, he drew belly laughs from the often times glib writers of SEC football. Perhaps the best moment came
when he was asked a question and replied with, “Can we move on to a question with a little more intelligence?” But don’t expect this to be the only entertainment from Arkansas this season. They return nine starters from an offense that was the best in the SEC in 2011. And even though Petrino is not back, all of his coaches and coordinators are so don’t discount the Razorbacks just yet. Good news and bad news for Dawg fans with regards to the SEC east. Georgia was the clear favorite amongst members of the media being picked to win the East in 2012. The only downfall is that many times, the media is wrong. The table is set for the Dawgs to return to Atlanta if business is taken care of. The defense will be just as good if not better than last year. If the offensive line can mesh into a cohesive unit early on to establish a good run game, then this could be a very, very good team. South Carolina will of course be knocking at the door trying to get back to Atlanta as well. Steve Spurrier sent a shot across the bow to Georgia saying, “If I made the schedule, we’d be playing Ole Miss and Georgia would be playing LSU.” Yes, Georgia’s schedule is a bit easier but the Gamecocks will have plenty of those years as well. Spurrier just happens to know that Georgia has an easy schedule AND a good team. A perfect storm. Whether or not they can derail the Dawgs is almost solely up to how Marcus Lattimore is recovering from his knee injury. If he’s full speed, we’re in for a battle in Columbia the first week in October. But this isn’t the only challenge in Columbia that Georgia faces in 2012. The other comes from a new stage though; Missouri. To this point, Missouri has been reduced as a team that doesn’t have shot at competing for a chance to play in Atlanta. This may turn out to be a foolish premise. The Tigers have a phenomenal offense and, contrary to popular opinion, will be able to score points against SEC defenses. This should be enough to keep them competitive in games. If they can get some above-average play from their defense, who knows? Georgia needs to be careful in the SEC opener against this team and not underestimate the “red-headed step-child” of the SEC. It’s hard to determine anything about a football season until the teams actually get on the field and start playing. Injuries happen, players have down seasons, players have surprise seasons. It’s almost impossible to tell how good a team will be based upon a series of press conferences. The one thing you can determine is confidence. Be it feigned or not, there is no mistaking a coach who knows they have a good team. Les Miles, Nick Saban, Mark Richt and Steve Spurrier all had this air about them. It’s safe to say that some combination of those four teams will be in Atlanta in December competing for a SEC title.
Bulldawg Illustrated
{{YOU’VE YOU’VE V SEEN LINDSAY Y RUN RUN}}
Now, No ow, See Him m Put Putt! tt! Join the fun at the 33 33rd 3rd Annual Georgia-Florida Georgia-Florid da Golf Classic on Jekyll Island!
WHAT’S NEW IN 2012
Kick off your celebration celebra ation of the big game with h a Thursday-Friday tournament tournament
Q
format plus Wednesday Wednesd day practice round.
Lindsay Scott, Tim Tim Worley and Greg Talley from m Georgia; Doug Johnson and a Ben Troupe from Florida.
Play wit with th the Dawgs or Gators G Greats
home base in the Golden Make Jekyll Island your y Go olden Isles to enjoy this year’s ye ear’s *HRUJLD )ORULGD ZHHNHQG +RWHO SDFNDJHV DUH DYDLODEOH ´QG RXW PRUH RQOLQH *HRUJLD )ORULGD ZHHNHQG +RWHO SDFNDJHV DUH *HRUJLD )ORULGD ZHH NHQG +RWHO SDFNDJHV DUH H DYDLODEOH ´QG RXW PRUH RQOLQH H DYDLODEOH ´QG RXW PRUH RQOLQH at golf.jekyllisland.com. golf.jekyllisland.co om. Or call us, (912) 635-2368! 635-2 2368!
Q
Dinner with w Dooley
Enjoy a special evening e with the legendary Coach Coa ach Dooley including keynote speech and book signing event.
Lots o of Prizes to Win. Including Includ ding a New Car.
33rd Annual Registration now open!
877-4-JEKYLL www.jekyllisland.com
Athens Country Club Summer Hummer Wendi Wells, Sarah and Chuck Jordan and John Wells
Mr. and Mrs. John Noell
Beverly and Gordan Sligh
Greta and Steve Covington and Susannah Chastain
Craig and Laura Meeks and John McCollum
Chris Pittard and JoAnn and Allen Miller
Chelle Kelaher and Renee Middleton
Kelly Johnson and Tammy Lindsay
Breanne Murphy and Natalie Knox
Pamela Baker, Kim Pittard and Hart Roberts
Vance Leavy and Wade Stephens
Mac and Lindsey Daniel
Stacy and Cary Stephens
Sam and Heather Graham
www.armc.org
Discover What Locals Already Know… Don’t Fight the Downtown Crowd!
2310 W. Broad St. Athens, GA 706-353-7667
Best Steak and Seafood in Athens!
Look who is heading to...
DERBY DAY PARTY
Sunday Night Special- Kids eat free with each dinner entree
Athens Regional recently qualified for the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline Bronze Quality Achievement Award as a Certified STEMI Receiving Center.
Reser vations Welcome. Visit www.hilltopgrille.com for updated menu & wine list.
Live Music Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 7 p.m.
Monday Night Special- Half price off any bottle of wine under $30 8
Bulldawg Illustrated
Athens Country Club Summer Hummer John Ferguson and Shooter Roberts
John Barrett, Kelly Blanton, Billy Lyons and Robert Lyons
Sarah and Judd Doherty
Winners, Team Dekle
Ricky and Erika Lane
Billy and Wendy Dobb, Joe Devaney and Tuter and Jamie Boswell
Bill and Donna Hooper and Jan Slocumb
Tom and Laura Allen and Shane and Amy O’Neill
Brad and Gigi Lastinger and Suzanne and John Lastinger
Heard Galas, Amy Stephens and Chad and Sabrina Collins
Katie and Oliver Pryor and Jennifer and Mike Fitzgerald
Hal Greer, Peter Persons, Jeff Avant and Colyar Persons
David Youngerman, Charles Mixon and Mike Blanton
Roby and Cindy Robarge and Paul and Suzanne Kilgore
Claire Bush, McCree Woodall and Banks Margeson
GO DAWGS. WGS WGS. GO LOCAL. CA CAL. 706.354.5000 www.bulldawgillustrated.com
9
JD’s All-SEC team
Eric Reid
Preseason predictions for the top players in the nation’s toughest football conference By Jeff Dantzler
Offense QB – Aaron Murray, Georgia
With Isaiah Crowell booted from the team, even more of the offense will rest in Murray’s hands and feet. His key is avoiding the catastrophic mistakes. Murray is an excellent runner and has weapons.
Philip Lutzenkirchen
TB – Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina
It was heart-breaking to see this phenom of a talent go down last year. But he is ahead of schedule with rehab and Steve Spurrier seems confident that this Heisman caliber great will be back and at least close to as good as ever. TB – Knile Davis, Arkansas
After missing all of last season with an ankle injury, Davis is foaming at the mouth to give Arkansas a potent one-two punch alongside QB Tyler Wilson. Like Lattimore, if healthy, Davis is a dynamic game-changer. WR – Malcolm Mitchell, Georgia
The Bulldogs best offensive threat will have to focus on defense the first couple of games. He’s a difference-maker. Great receivers will emerge this season in the SEC, but there isn’t a Julio Jones/A.J. Green duo of returnees. If healthy, Tennessee’s Justin Hunter and Florida’s Andre Debose are at the top of the list along with Mitchell. TE – Philip Lutzenkirchen, Auburn
One of the toughest and best all around players in the league, “Lutzy” has played fullback, H-back, special teams and tight end. He’s the last major piece from the 2010 national champions and has a nose for the end zone. TE – Jordan Reed, Florida
The Gators best and most consistent offensive player, Reed should truly thrive now that his quarterback playing days are likely behind him. If Debose is healthy, Florida will have a deep and over the middle weapon. Reed is tough to bring down. OL – D.J. Fluker, Alabama
A big time recruit who has been a good player, Fluker will be leaned on heavily this season for what should be a great Alabama offensive line. He is big, strong, and, when leading the way on the outside, frightening for linebackers and defensive backs. OL – Alex Hurst, LSU
The Bayou Bengals are loaded with talent, and they could have the best combined offensive and defensive lines in the country. Hurst is one of their most valuable players and a big reason the Tigers put up a bunch of points last year.
photos by Travis Ragsdale
OL – Chris Faulk, LSU Like Hurst, Faulk was a huge reason that LSU’s power running game absolutely chewed up so many defenses a year ago. Newsflash, LSU will be leaning on that same power running game this year. He’s like the 57th star from Louisiana named Faulk. They’ve won big in the 2000s, because now the Marshall Faulk’s don’t get away. OL – Chance Warmack, Alabama When it comes to straight power and moving that defender, Warmack is Alabama’s man. His push in the running game is textbook. Eddie Lacy will get a lot of mileage behind this big fella this season. C – Barrett Jones, Alabama Epitomizing all of what is great about the game, this great player, student and musician is the face of Alabama heading into 2012. He’s capable of playing every position on the line and is the bell cow at center. It was huge for the Tide getting Jones back.
Defense DL – Barkavious Mingo, LSU A play-making sack machine, Mingo teams with the likes of Bennie Logan and Anthony Johnson to give the Fightin’ Tigers a fierce and dominating defensive line. He’s rangy, fast, strong and very difficult to block. DL – John Jenkins, Georgia By the time the calendar rolled into mid-October, this massive nose tackle lived up to the hype. Georgia’s defensive success starts with him in the middle. He could be poised for a phenomenal season. DL – Jadaveon Clowney, South Carolina One of the all-time elite recruits out of the Palmetto State, Clowney was like “The Avengers” as a freshman. He didn’t just live up to the hype, he surpassed it. Clowney is arguably the best player in the league. He will be the No. 1 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. DL – Abry Jones, Georgia One of the quiet stars in the SEC, Jones had a fantastic year in 2011, and teams with Jenkins to headline what should be a fantastic defensive front for the Bulldogs. He excels against the run, ties up blockers and gets to the quarterback. Check, check, check. LB – Jarvis Jones, Georgia His decision to return is a big reason the Bulldogs have championship dreams in 2012. Highlighted by his five sack performance in Jacksonville, Jones was an All-American in 2011. If he duplicate and maybe take another step, he could prove to be the league’s best player and possibly a top overall pick. LB – Nico Johnson, Alabama The definition of reloading. Bama has it going. This is a five-star recruit who was a big contributor in 2010, a standout starter in 2011 and now is one of the team’s elite players. Johnson is one of the league’s hardest hitters. It’s a thud when he squares up a back, and the feet go up quickly. LB – C.J. Mosley, Alabama See above with Johnson. Bama loses Courtney Upshaw and Dont’a Hightower, but they bring back two of the country’s and conference’s best backers. Mosley is very athletic.
ORDER NOW at www.sf-7x.com ENTER SF-BI AND PROCEEDS go towards SCHOLARSHIPS for students at the Boys & Girls Club of Athens to attend Athens Y Camp next summer
CB – Tyrann Mathieu, LSU Here’s yet another guy who could be the conference’s best player. A Heisman finalist as a sophomore and first year starter, the “Honey Badger” has an uncanny nose for the ball and big plays. It’s the heir apparent players that keep the great teams in the mix year after year. And LSU at corner is a prime example. CB – Dee Milliner, Alabama Did I just mention something about reloading. Bama had a corner and a safety go in the first round. Bama has a corner and a safety on a bunch of preseason All-SEC lists, including this one. Milliner makes plays, can fly and has excellent ball instincts. S – Eric Reid, LSU – The MVP of the Tigers overtime win in Tuscaloosa, Reid was LSU’s third best defensive back a year ago. He is one of America’s elite safeties and another vital returning cog for the star-studding Bayou Bengals defense. S – Robert Lester, Alabama Mark Barron was the seventh overall pick in the draft. He and Lester were the country’s top safety duo a year ago. Now Lester will help lead an Alabama defense that lost immense talent and returns superb talent. Special Teams PK – Caleb Sturgis, Florida He’s got a strong leg and if the Gators are going to bounce back and have a good year, he’ll have to be outstanding. P – Brad Wing, LSU When he and Drew Butler were exchanging second quarter punts a year ago in Atlanta, I had never seen anything like it. His leg is otherworldly, and the Australian sophomore is also famous for being the first player to have a TD taken away due to a celebration in the Tigers rout of Florida.
PR – Mathieu, LSU The country’s best corner is also the country’s best punt returner. KR – Andre Debose, Florida He can fly. If finally healthy, “the next Percy Harvin” could be Florida’s best player.
10
Bulldawg Illustrated
A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS OF COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF
Presenting
Field Goal Sponsors
Touchdown
First Down Sponsors
RM Compass Group
Hudson Family Foundation
Athens Orthopedic Clinic
www.bulldawgillustrated.com
11
Countdown to Kickoff Jon and Matt Stinchcomb and Adam Gillespie
David Greene, Matt Stinchcomb, Pat Dye Jr. and Jon Stinchcomb Ellis Long, Ben Jones and John Wise Long
Catherine,Will, Ben and Tommy Warner
Parker, Wes, Kimberly and Will McLeary
Rennie Curran, Callen Nash and David Greene Jordan, Jerome and Jadyn Biggers
Amarlo Herrera, Jack Abernathy and Lucas Redd
Colt, Chad and Leigh Collins JJ Ahern, Betsy Bates and Seth Blocker
Mack, Lindsey and Hughes Daniel
Doug and Don Thomas
Sadie Kate and Michael Williams
Sam Purcell and Colton Dean
Liza Plunkett, Matt Stinchcomb and Erica Plunkett
Clay Walker and JT Wall
Matt Lindsay and Ed Brown
Kelin Johnson and David Greene
Greg and Susan, Cole, Brolan, Larson Griffeth
Drew Butler and Clint Boling
Lorenzo Bailey and Bacarri Rambo
James Bagwell and Chad Bates
Chris Conley and Matt Stinchcomb
Sean, Paula, Max and Nora Ragsdale
Blake McGahee and Brandon Boykin
William Beckum, John Jenkins, Robert Beckum and Hank Stephens
Ann Marie and Robert Wolfe
Matt Stinchcomb and Bryan Miller
The Course You’ve Always Wanted to Play!
Please Join Us!
Mango WHERE THE BULLDAWG NATION
LIKES TO
TANGO T ANGO W WITH ITH
SALSA
Li m i t
e d ti m
e o ffe
r
/LPLWHG 3XEOLF 7HH 7LPHV $YDLODEOH 0RQGD\ 7XHVGD\ ² 7KXUVGD\ )ULGD\ ² 6XQGD\ +ROLGD\V 5DWH LQFOXGHV KROHV FDUW
0LG GD\ WZLOLJKW DQG VHQLRU UDWHV DOVR DYDLODEOH
&DOO 72'$< WR ERRN \RXU 7(( 7,0( *New members only. Restrictions apply. 1500 Chambers Court â&#x20AC;˘ Bogart, GA 706.548.1852 â&#x20AC;˘ jenningsmillclub.com
14
Ask about our Intro Membership * Only $
200 / month
e iz l a t i v Re
YOUR TASTE BUDS Bulldawg Illustrated
www.bulldawgillustrated.com
15
.com m
WWW. WW WW W. W.
FAN OF TH THE HE WEEK Mike Appling Athens, Geor Georgia rg gia Athens BMW
TRI TRIVIA IVIA CONTES CONTEST ST Who had ha ad Georgia’s Georgia’s lone pass rreception eceptiion in the 1981 Sugar Bowl? Bo owl? Answer: Arnold Answe r: Amp Ar rn nold
Winner: Winne er: Jeremy Jeremy Lackma Lackman an
Why do you consider yourself y a great great Bulldawg fan? f Ig rew u p llistening istening tto o Ed Ed T hilenius and and tthen hen L arry M unson o n tthe he rradio adio e very G eorgia grew up Thilenius Larry Munson on every Georgia ffootball ootball S aturday. I was was on on the the railroad railroad ttracks racks b ack in in the the 7 0s iiff I d id n ot h ave a tticket. icket. Saturday. back 70s did not have There Ther re is nothing like Ath Athens hens on a home game day!
Go to bulldawgi bulldawgillustrated.com illustrated.com Chance to win $25 $25 gift cards carrd ds for TATE the UGA Bookstore Bookkstorre at T ATE if you submit tailgate ta ailgate recipes recipes e trivia or answer triv via correctly. corrre ectlyy.
Georgia iis Georgia s expected expected to to contend contend for for a n national ational title title tthis his s season, eason, w what hat d do oy you ou w worry orry tthe he m most ost a about bout for for 2012? 2012? Georgia Geor rg gia taking for grant granted ted some of the lesser teamss on the schedule.
WEEK RECIPEE OF THE WE EEK
Favorite offensive Favorite offensive player, player, why? why? Aaron Aar ro on Murray Murray, y, he has the th he potential to be one of the great gre gr eat Georgia Georrg gia quarterbacks.
Emily LaBo LaBorde’s orde de’s “Man-catchers” “Man-catcher Man catcherrs rs”
F avorite defensive defensive p layer, w hy? Favorite player, why? Jarvis J arvis J Jones, ones, he he is is a tremendous tremendous llinebacker inebacker a and nd a great great tteam eam lleader. eader. H He ew will ill b be ep playing laying day. on Sundays one day y. Favorite coach, Favorite coach, w why? hy? T odd G rantham, he he is is a great great coach coach a nd motivator motivator for for the the tteam. eam. H e iiss iintense ntense w ith tthe he Todd Grantham, and He with players every game, and d his spirit reminds re eminds me of Erkk Russell. Favorite tailgate Favorite tailgate ffood, ood, why? why? BBQ because BBQ, b someone else l has h to t cookk it! someone Do you have gameday D oy ou h ave a favorite favorite g ameday rritual? itual? Bloody Marys and listening listen ning to the pregame prregame e n the radio with some great grreat e friends. frriends. show on What’ s your (record) (record) prediction p ediction for the season, why? pr w What’s U ndefeated, G eorgia has has one one of of the the best best d efensive tteams eams iin n tthe he n ation. T here iiss Undefeated, Georgia defensive nation. There ttremendous remendous talent talent on on the the o ffensive sside ide a lso. H opefully, a he d istractions a re o ver offensive also. Hopefully, allll o off tthe distractions are over with and some of the young yo oung players will be able to contribute c season n. early in the season.
Hometown: St. Simons Island & Athens, GA G Ingredients Ingredients ----------S picy ssausage ausage Spicy Cream Cr eam cheese Green Gr een bellpepper bellpeppe er Bacon Instructions -----------Cut C ut sspicy picy ssausage ausage iinto nto bit bit ssize ize pieces. pieces. T Top op w with ith ssmear mear o off cream cheese and cr ream e an nd sliver of green grreen e bellpepper. bellpepperr. Then wrap in the bacon! Cook until unttil bacon is done. Great Grre eat on th he grill or in the oven. “Learrn “Learned ned this one e from frro om my friend Clair Claire re a Mississippi Misssissippi State B ulldog...we made made u p tthe he n ame ““Man-catchers” Man-catchers” ffor or tthem hem Bulldog...we up name because you can’t can n’t keep the men away fr from ro om them!” th hem!”
GO DAWGS
™
STOP BY THE UGA BOOKSTORE &
PICK UP YOUR COPY OF THE
2012 UGA FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE TODAY! also available online /UGABookstore
14
Bulldawg Illustrated
UGA FCA Event Gwinnett Kelly Davis, Mark Richt and Chris Davis
Bobby Jones, Bobby Joiner, Chad, Susan and Steve Middlebrooks
Ben Berk, Bob Evans and John Jacobs
Annette Lightsey, Jayne Lindsay and Virginia Gissendanner
Mike and Leslie Kewert and Tess and Bruce Potts
Sara Moeck and Kristen Paxson
Luanne Byrd and Gary Armour
Benton Evans and Bill Baird
David and Liz Walters
Bo, Michelle and Evans Blanchard
Rene Whatley and Allyson Quinn
Recruiting Class of 2020 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Happy Birthday Hamilton
Virginia Beth Butler, Mac McDonald, Kaki Dyleski and Mimi Culpepper
Birthday Boy Hamilton Culpepper
Walker Bradberry, Palmer Bush, Charlie Kahlstorf, Jake Johnson, Hamilton Culpepper, Thompson Sewell, Cullen Sewell and Win Dyleski
NeverNX Foundation Golf Tourney
Rod Cole, Matt Storm, and Shaun Golden
Brandi Lesniak and Patrick Hamilton
Rod Cole and Chad Kessler
Athens Light the Night Kickoff
Kathy Benton and Sarah Bennett
Stacie Akridge, Gayle Smith and Marnie Yeomans
Mark Williams and Kirk Olivadotti
SEC ... SEC ... SEC Annual gathering in Birmingham signifies the beginning of battles to capture the league title By Murray Poole EC Media Days, held each July at The Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover, Ala., is the only time that all the Southeastern Conference head football coaches and their leading players are assembled under one roof. And, on a somewhat cordial basis at that. As usual, at this year’s July 17-19 sessions, there was much preseason scuttlebutt that we’ve pretty well heard the summer long but, also, there were some new and interesting tidbits emanating from the mouths of the 14 league coaches and several of their players. Let’s take a look at how things shaped up from each school coming out of this season’s media days and heading into the August fall camps.
S
Alabama Of course, the mighty Crimson Tide never rebuilds, simply reloads. And that’s the case here again in 2012 as Alabama returns 12 starters and a bunch of ready replacements from last year’s national championship team. Nick Saban’s team rolled to a 12-1 record in 2011, falling only to then unbeaten LSU 9-6 in the regular season meeting before then avenging that loss to the Tigers by a convincing 21-0 tally in the BCS championship game in New Orleans. Of course, at this year’s SEC Media Days, the message from Saban was clear: What Alabama did last season means absolutely nothing as to how this year’s team is going to perform. But although the Tide lost Heisman Trophy finalist Trent Richardson, the offense should still be potent once again with junior quarterback AJ McCarron leading the attack of new coordinator Doug Nussmeier, who came to Tuscaloosa from Washington. McCarron’s stable of running backs include juniors Eddie Lacy and Jalston Fowler and freshmen Dee Hart and T.J. Yeldon. Alabama returns four starters in the offensive line including 2011 Outland Trophy winner Barrett Jones, who has moved over to the center spot. Defensively, the Tide returns only four starters but should get outstanding play from the likes of senior nose guard Jesse Williams, senior linebacker Nico Johnson, junior linebacker C.J. Mosley, senior safety Robert Lester and junior corner Dee Milliner. The Tide will kick off the season with a big intersectional matchup, facing Michigan Sept. 1 in the Dallas Cowboys’stadium. Then Alabama will begin its quest to supplant LSU as SEC champion. The Tide goes to Arkansas early, on Sept. 15, and will face LSU in Baton Rouge on Nov. 3. Head coach Nick Saban: “It’s really, really difficult in college football to carry momentum from one season to the next. You lose 25 percent of your team. That’s an understatement for us. We lost 13 starters from our team last year. And the new 25 percent that you bring to your team, really they don’t have knowledge and experience, they haven’t played. They’re young players. Maybe very talented players but they’re very young players. So you have to create your own identity by what you do.”
Arkansas All the talk in SEC West this football season centers around an LSU team that is being ranked No. 1 in several preseason pools and an Alabama team that will set out to defend its 2011 BCS national championship. But, hey, don’t rule out these Hogs from Arkansas. Despite all the misfortune that went down with Bobby Petrino, he of the off-the-field conduct that cost him his head coaching job, the Razorbacks are still being generally ranked among the top 10 teams in the nation and, rightly so, what with a whopping 17 starters returning from last season’s 11-2 team that beat Kansas State in the Cotton Bowl. New head coach John L. Smith inherits a prolific offense that features All-America candidates in senior quarterback Tyler Wilson, junior running back Knile Davis and senior wideout Cobi Hamilton. And the defense, which has seven starters returning and is led by senior linebacker Tenarius Wright and junior tackle Robert Thomas, should be no slouch either. The loquacious Smith, who hilariously entertained the media with his remarks in Hoover, should learn what kind of football team he has early on as the Razorbacks play host to the Crimson Tide on Sept. 15 in Fayetteville. Head coach John L. Smith: “We have one goal, and we’re not bashful about reiterating that goal. That goal is to win in Miami (site of BCS national championship game). Our goal is to be a national championship football team and that’s what we want to get done. I know our players relish that as well as our fans and our coaches. That’s our goal for this year.”
Auburn Will Gene Chizik prove he’s not a one-season wonder (2010 national championship with Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton) and put his Tigers in the thick of the SEC West Division race along with state rival Alabama, LSU and Arkansas? On the heels of last season’s 8-5 record (4-4 SEC), Chizik has appointed two new
coordinators to return Auburn to power. New offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler brings a pro-style attack to the plains while former Georgia defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder is now in the same role with the Tigers and has implemented his base 4-3 alignment. Dual-threat sophomore Kiehl Frazier and junior Clint Moseley are in a battle for the starting quarterback spot and the tailback position seems to be in good hands in the person of senior Onterio McCalebb. And senior tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen is a solid AllAmerica candidate. Defensively, VanGorder should have a very good unit up front led by junior end Corey Lemonier and junior tackle Jeffrey Whitaker. Senior Daren Bates leads the Tiger linebacking corps and in the secondary of new mentor Willie Martinez, the former UGA coach, junior cornerback Chris Davis brings experience and savvy to the Tigers. Senior tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen: “It was tough last year (after national title in 2010). That national championship year, we were beating teams by 30 and 20 points. To kind of forget how that felt for a whole year and then to be on the other side of that where you’re losing by 20 or 30 points in some games it doesn’t sit well so you remember that when you’re working out in the summer and going through mat drills in the spring and it really kind of motivates you not to let that happen again.”
Florida Unquestionably, the honeymoon is over for Will Muschamp in Gainesville, Fla. The former Georgia standout, in his first season at the helm of the Florida Gators, struggled to a 7-6 won-loss mark including a 3-5 chart in SEC East. But with a defensive unit that features some 10 returning starters and is expected to be among the best in the conference and an offense that figures to be better, that is, if either Jacoby Brissett or Jeff Driskel steps up at the quarterback position, Muschamp seems armed to likely challenge Georgia and South Carolina for the East Division crown. And in his remarks at SEC Media Days last week, the Florida coach seemed optimistic that his team is capable of doing just that. As mentioned, these Gators should have some fangs defensively. Up front, Florida boasts all-conference material in junior end Sharrif Floyd, junior tackle Dominique Easley and senior nose guard Omar Hunter. And all three starting linebackers return in senior Jonathan Bostic, junior Jelani Jenkins and senior Lerentee McCray, who will likely move up to defensive end at times. The secondary is loaded with young talent, led by dynamic strong safety Matt Elam. And if talented junior end/linebacker Ronald Powell can recover from a torn ACL suffered in the spring game, Florida will rank among the very top defensive units in the country. Offensively, the Gators will miss running backs Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey but are counting on a productive season from senior Mike Gillislee. Senior linebacker Jonathan Bostic: “Defensively, we want to be the tops in every category in the country. We say we want to be the best defense but we know it takes a lot of work to be the best defense. Basically, we’ve got to go out there and do the little things right. We’ve got to stop the run, we’ve got to play blocks square up front and we’ve got to stay away from penalties as well. And we’ve got to finish in the fourth quarter; if we don’t do that we’ll have the same result as last year.”
Georgia Mark Richt’s Bulldogs are almost the consensus choice to make it to the SEC championship game for a second consecutive season. The writers and broadcasters at SEC Media Days in Hoover last week joined that consensus by tabbing Georgia to win the East Division once again over runner-up South Carolina and third place Florida. The Bulldogs totaled 1,434 votes, including 132 first place votes, to the Gamecocks’ 1,358 votes.
Nick Saban photo by Travis Ragsdale
No question, Georgia is being so heavily regarded due to a defense that returns nine starters from a unit that ranked fifth overall in America last season. Beginning his third season as coordinator, Todd Grantham will be looking to junior outside linebacker Jarvis Jones, a first-team All-America in his initial season in Athens, as well as another first-team All-America, senior safety Bacarri Rambo. And then there’s All-SEC candidates, senior nose guard John Jenkins, junior linebacker Alec Ogletree, senior safety Shawn Williams and junior end Abry Jones. Offensively, the Dogs are paced by All-America and All-SEC candidate Aaron Murray, who’s on a record-setting passing pace at UGA but still needs to cut down on crucial turnovers that have plagued him in some of the Bulldogs’ biggest games. Senior Tavarres King and sophomore Malcolm Mitchell lead the Georgia receivers, that is, unless the speedy Mitchell spends more time in the secondary, which he will likely do in the Bulldogs’ SEC opener at Missouri. The offensive line looms as the team’s biggest question mark but if folks up front like Kenarious Gates, Kolton Houston, Chris Burnette, Dallas Lee and highly-touted freshman John Theus can jell in a hurry, the Georgia running back corps which includes redshirt sophomore Ken Malcome, senior Richard Samuel and two highly-touted freshmen, Keith Marshall and Todd Gurley, could make the Bulldog ground game really potent this fall. Head coach Mark Richt: “I hope the media’s right this time (in picking the Bulldogs to repeat in the East) but we haven’t done anything yet, haven’t won a game. We know our league is tremendous. We know the Eastern Division is going to be a tough road. All we’re trying to do is prepare the best we can to hopefully play the best that we can play and maximize the potential of this football team. Hopefully that will be good enough to get back to Atlanta and hopefully play a little bit better this time around.”
Kentucky For the Wildcats and head coach Joker Phillips there seems only one way to go this coming football season … and that’s up! That’s because, in 2011, while compiling a 5-7 record (2-6 SEC) Kentucky finished last in the conference in nearly every offensive statistical category. But with Maxwell Smith back at quarterback after passing for 819 yards in his freshman season and 6-4 senior La’Rod King back on the receiving end after catching 40 passes for 598 yards last year, the potential is there for much improvement. Defensively, however, the outlook appears shaky at best as Kentucky must replace six defensive regulars from last season. In reality, anything the Wildcats accomplish positively this fall will be a surprise as they are being picked last in the SEC East in the preseason polls, looking up at Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Missouri, Tennessee and Vanderbilt. But in his address to the media contingent in Hoover, Phillips wasn’t buying that line of thinking, saying he believes his still young team will be vastly improved in 2012 and is capable of knocking off some of the big guys. Head coach Joker Phillips: “I’m not sitting down right now (when asked if he’s on the hot seat) so there’s nothing hot (smiling). I don’t have time to listen to that stuff; all I need to do is make sure we’re putting a product on the field that can be successful.”
DON’T MISS AN ISSUE
16
Bulldawg Illustrated
LSU The last shall be first and that was pretty much the scenario on the second day of SEC Media Days as Tiger coach Les Miles strode to the podium in The Wynfrey Hotel to cap the parade of six coaches who previewed their teams on Wednesday. Miles, whose team is the defending SEC champion that defeated Alabama in the regular season before being bounced 21-0 by the Tide in the BCS national championship game to put the only blot on a 13-1 season record, is fielding a squad that is being widely predicted to succeed Alabama as this year’s national champ. Guiding the Tiger attack this season will be junior QB Zach Mettenberger and the 6-5, 222-pound ex-Bulldog gives LSU the strong-armed, pocket presence the Tigers have been missing. LSU returns four starters on the O-line including All-SEC first-team tackle Alex Hurst and the team’s leading pass catcher back is sophomore Odell Beckham, Jr. Once again, the Bayou Bengals are deep in running backs with juniors Michael Ford, Spencer Ware and Alfred Blue and 240-pound sophomore Kenny Hilliard set to tote the rock this season. Defensively, the Tigers are also stacked with All-America junior cornerback Tyrann (Honey Badger) Mathieu, secondteam All-America junior end Sam Montgomery, junior end Barkevious Mingo and junior linebacker Kevin Minter. You might note that LSU’s meeting with Alabama this season comes on Nov. 3 in Baton Rouge. Good luck on securing a ticket to that one. Junior quarterback Zach Mettenberger: “I definitely took the path less taken (on becoming LSU’s starting QB after being dismissed from Georgia two years ago) but I’m finally here and it’s my chance and opportunity and I’m going to try and make the most of it. I’ve got a lot of good teammates around me who are going to help me out and it’s going to make my job much easier. (On playing in similar pro sets at Georgia and LSU) A lot of the terminology is the same. Both teams are I-formation with the fullbacks, power running game, big offensive linemen, a lot of play action and you can go to the gun, too. Both are very good offenses and are very similar.”
Mississippi State The Mississippi State Bulldogs aren’t expected to challenge the likes of LSU, Alabama and Arkansas for the SEC Western Division title this season but with seven returning defensive starters from the 2011 squad, Dan Mullen’s Bulldogs are optimistic of improving on their 7-6 mark (2-6 SEC) of last season. Offensively, with only four returning starters, State has a number of question marks and, clearly, junior quarterback Tyler Russell will have to shine in the Bulldogs’ revamped, pass-first scheme. So, no question, the Mississippi State defense will have to carry this team early on, especially in the Sept. 8 SEC opener against the Auburn Tigers. Senior tackle Josh Boyd leads a strong defensive front while senior corner Johnthan Banks heads the secondary after recording six interceptions last season. Junior quarterback Tyler Russell: “Those three teams (Alabama, LSU, Arkansas) are really good. They’re at the top right now and we’re trying to get to that top two so we know they’re in the way and they are the teams we’ve got to beat if we’re going to be a really good football team. We want to be the best every year – we want to get to Atlanta, Ga. and win a Southeastern Conference championship.”
Missouri Like the Texas A&M Aggies, the Missouri Tigers are excited, and a bit anxious too, about their maiden voyage into Southeastern Conference waters. But then, Missouri’s SEC foes need to be a little anxious as well because the Tigers of veteran coach Gary Pinkel (beginning his 12th year at Mizzou) return plenty of firepower from last season’s 8-5 team that pounded North Carolina 41-24 in the Independence Bowl. Leading a prolific offense that that ranked 12th nationally a year ago when it averaged 475 yards per game is do-it-all junior quarterback James Franklin and, this season (pay attention UGA secondary), Franklin has the nation’s top recruit to throw to in 6-6, 220-pound freshman wideout Dorial Green-Beckham. Defensively, you don’t hear quite as much about the Tigers but then, Missouri did rank fourth overall on that side of the ball in the offensive-minded Big 12 Conference, as well as third in scoring defense. Senior wide receiver T.J. Moe: “The SEC’s good, we know that. I’ve been to six weddings this summer and everybody wants to know what I think about the SEC. It doesn’t matter what I think, it’s how I perform. I can’t really tell you until week two because Georgia’s supposed to be the top team in the division. We’ve got a 6:45 game that night and College Game Day’s got a chance to be there. It will be a lot like the Oklahoma atmosphere in 2010 when they were ranked No. 1. Some people may think we’re intimidated, but I think maybe it’s the media being intimidated and not the players. We’re excited and we’re not scared to play anybody.”
www.bulldawgillustrated.com
Ole Miss New Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze, who came to Oxford from Arkansas State, has a HUGE challenge confronting him … taking the Rebels back to SEC prominence after the team floundered to a 210 last fall in its final year under Houston Nutt. Ole Miss, which has dropped 15 straight SEC games, returns seven offensive starters and the same number of defensive regulars from last season’s dismal squad. Among the Rebel standouts are junior linebacker Mike Marry, junior defensive back Charles Sawyer, sophomore wide receiver Donte Moncrief and senior punter Tyler Campbell. Sawyer was the only Ole Miss player selected to the preseason All-SEC team, being named to the third team by the media in Hoover.
Les Miles
Head coach Hugh Freeze: (On South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier quip-
ping he would love to trade cross-division opponents with Georgia, giving the Bulldogs top-ranked LSU to face and the Gamecocks meeting struggling Ole Miss) “I heard he said something to that regard. I guess my thought would be 2013, they’re on our schedule. We will circle that date and maybe change his perspective about what he thinks about Ole Miss football.”
South Carolina Like he does every year at this time, the ol’ ball coach, Steve Spurrier, had the media members chuckling with some of his comments from the podium. Spurrier, whose team is expected to push Georgia for the SEC Eastern Division title this season, should be fielding one of the best defensive units in the country led by a pair of defensive ends, Devin Taylor and Jadeveon Clowney, whom Spurrier says could be the best in the conference. With also seven offensive regulars returning, including talented junior tailback Marcus Lattimore who is rehabbing from a knee injury sustained midway of the 2011 season, junior quarterback Connor Shaw and appropriately named junior receiver Ace Sanders, Spurrier is also looking for a very strong runpass balance this go-round. Indeed, if these Gamecocks don’t stump their toe in their Aug. 30 Thursday season opener at tough Vanderbilt, they could be sitting at 50 when Georgia visits Williams-Brice Stadium on Oct. 6. Head coach Steve Spurrier: “I think the two
crucial games are obviously Georgia and Missouri early and Florida and Texas A&M early. I hope we’re playing at a different hour that I can watch both of those live. I think those will be very interesting for all of us. (On cross division schedules) You think I make out the schedule (smiling). If I made the schedule, Georgia would be playing LSU (this season) and we’d be playing Ole Miss.”
Tennessee A lot of folks are saying this is a make or break year for Derek Dooley in Knoxville. In his two years as the Volunteers’ head coach, the son of University of Georgia legend Vince has compiled 11 wins against 14 losses, including a 5-7 record last season. But with a whopping 20 starters (including kicker and punter) back from his 2011 squad, Dooley thinks these Volunteers are capable of becoming a solid contender in the SEC East race. Tennessee of course boasts a prolific passing game with the likes of 6-6 junior quarterback Tyler Bray and one of the SEC’s top receiving corps that features junior wideouts Da’Rick Rogers and Justin Hunter. But if Bray is to have another banner year throwing the ball and lead the Vols to the success Big Orange fans are clamoring for, he must get improved play from a running game that was abysmal last season. Five returning regulars in the offensive line should help with junior right tackle Ja’Wuan James being the leader up front. Defensively, Tennessee returns eight starters who will be tutored by new coordinator Sal Sunseri, who spent the previous three years helping Alabama win two national championships. Maybe the Vols’ best defensive player is one of the youngest, sophomore linebacker A.J. Johnson, who earned Freshman All-America honors last year when he recorded 80 tackles. Head coach Derek Dooley : “It’s been a tough four years in Tennessee. I know, of course, the SEC has
photo by Travis Ragsdale
enjoyed taking advantage of our tough times. But there’s a nice mood on our team right now that you’re not going to have Tennessee to kick around anymore. So I’m excited about the season and I feel like we got a team that can go toe-to-toe for four quarters with all the teams in our league.”
Texas A&M One doesn’t have to listen to Texas A&M’s first year head coach Kevin Sumlin but for just a few minutes to pick up on how excited the Aggies are to be playing their first year in the Southeastern Conference. After all, Sumlin knows how tough it is for visiting teams to venture into Kyle Field in College Station, Tex. where Texas A&M’s highly-publicized “12th Man,” the some 40-thousand Aggie students who stand the entire game, often causes A&M opponents to swallow their mouth pieces. Sumlin also knows he inherited 14 starters from last season’s 7-6 Aggie team including eight on the offensive side of the ball which is expected to field the same explosive, high-scoring attack that Sumlin coached in his previous stop at the University of Houston. And it won’t take the A&M faithful long to discern how they will stack up in the mightiest conference in the land as the Florida Gators come to College Station on Sept. 8 for the Aggies’ nationally-televised SEC debut. Head coach Kevin Sumlin: “There is no doubt our fans are extremely excited about the home opener (Sept. 8) against Florida. That’s going to be a big game for us. For us as a team or as a head coach to have your home opener at Texas A&M be an SEC game is a big deal, there’s no doubt about that. What’s my assessment of playing in SEC West (which has produced the last three national champions), it’s a pretty damn hard league. How is that? That’s my assessment.”
Vanderbilt Stepping to the SEC podium on opening day, second-year Vandy coach James Franklin said there’s a new buzz about football in the Music City. And, rightly so. In his first season at the Commodores’ helm, Franklin steered Vanderbilt to an improved 6-7 record and to only the fifth postseason bowl appearance in team history. For the first time in 28 years, the Commodores produced more points and total offense than their opponents. And with 16 starters returning for the upcoming 2012 campaign, the outlook in Nashville seems even more promising for 2012. The Vanderbilt offense looks especially potent, featuring AllSEC running back Zac Stacy and fifth-year senior quarterback Jordan Rodgers, younger brother of Green Bay All-Pro QB Aaron Rodgers. The Dores are also expected to have 2009 SEC Freshman of the Year Warren Norman available at running back. Head Coach James Franklin: “Our focus is South Carolina (season opener Aug. 30). “We have a hall of fame coach coming in with a nationally ranked top 10 team and it’s going to be incredibly exciting. We have respect for all our opponents (upon being asked about facing Georgia and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham whom Franklin had a shouting match with last season) and our focus is strictly on the University of South Carolina. But I will say this, you play Vanderbilt, you better be ready to play from the beginning of the game until the end of the game. That’s whoever it is.”
17
The Southern Co·te·rie /kōtərē/ is a community of friends with common and similar interests – in this case, the South.
Come visit and join
the social network of the South
- a community where southerners and all those who love the south can connect, converse, congregate and celebrate
the South.
WIN a Two Night Stay at WaterColor Inn & Resort Join the Coterie for a chance to win www.TheSouthernC.com
set up your profile on the new social
network of the South www.watercolorresort.com
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on Labor Day - Sept 3rd
WIN a Big Green Egg from Construction Resources, Inc Create a Pinterest Board Entertaining with Southern Style create your own “Entertaining with Southern Style” board and pin your favorite southern hostesses, tablescapes, recipes and more on it. check out our The Southern Coterie and CR Home Design and follow the directions on the contest board and PIN TO WIN! WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on Labor Day - Sept 3rd!
www.constructionresourcesusa.com
WIN a Monogrammed Beach Bag from Leontine Linens Where is your favorite southern vacation destination? follow @thesouthernc (www.twitter.com/thesouthernc) and @leontinelinens (www.twitter.com/leontinelinens) on August 1st, tweet “@thesouthernc CONTEST 2 WIN @LeontineLinens beachbag- What’s your fave vacay spot in the South? (w/your answer)” WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT MIDNIGHT on August 1st!
ALL CONTEST DETAILS FOUND AT....
www.leontinelinens.com
www.TheSouthernC.com
In the kitchen
with Missy Sennowitz Missy Sennowitz is a cutie from Swainsboro, Ga. that enjoyed college in Athens as a Alpha Delta Pi and was graduated from the University of Georgia pharmacy school. She met her husband, Karl, while he was doing his residency at Emory University after he studied medicine at the University of Michigan for undergraduate and medical school. He met a sweet southern girl that convinced him to stay in south. Karl liked Athens because it reminded him of Ann Arbor and they have been here for 15 years. They stay busy keeping up with their 14-year-old son Jordan, eleven-year-old daughter Anna and eight-year-old daughter Lexie. This active bunch can be found on the tennis courts, studying dance or performing at the Oconee Youth Playhouse. The recipes Missy shared are all excellent for summer time fun as you can pre-make the Sennowitz Shrimp and throw it in the oven later and dinner is on the table in 40 minutes.. The trifle in mason jars can be made a day ahead. When everyone comes off the wake boards on Lake Oconee at the end of the day, this is one of the Sennowitz’s favorite family suppers. Bon appetit- Cheri Leavy
Sennowitz Shrimp in Angel Hair Pasta Missy doubled for the photoshoot, this recipe serves 6 1 Tbs. butter (grease dish) 2 eggs 1 cup 1/2 and 1/2 1 cup plain yogurt (Missy used Greek) 1/3 cup crumbled feta 1/2 cup grated swiss cheese 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley 1 tsp. basil 1 tsp. oregano 1 package (9 oz) angel hair, cooked & divided 1 jar (16 oz) mild thick & chunky salsa 1 lb, medium Wild GA Shrimp, peeled & deveined & uncooked 1/2 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter the sides of a 8x12” baking dish. In a bowl, mix eggs, 1/2 and 1/2, yogurt, feta and swiss cheeses, parsley, basil and oregano. Spread half of the cooked angel hair pasta on the bottom of the baking dish. Cover with salsa and add half the shrimp. Add remaining pasta to baking dish. Pour and spread egg mixture over pasta. Add remaining shrimp and top with Monterey Jack cheese. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Remove from oven. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Lick the Bowl Salad - Napa Cabbage Salad “No matter how much you make, every bit gets eaten!” 1 head Napa cabbage 3 green onion, chopped (Missy loves green onions so uses more) 3/4 cup butter, melted 2 packages Ramen noodles, crushed 1 package of the chicken seasoning from the Ramen noodles 1/2 tsp. sesame seeds (Missy skips) 1/3 cup slivered almonds, toasted (Missy does a cup) Melt the butter, add the chicken seasoning and crush the noodles in the mixture. Add all other ingredients and toss with dressing. 1/2 cup oil 2 Tbs. soy sauce 1/2 cup sugar (Missy tried splenda and said ok but not as good) 1/4 cup white vinegar
Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook’s Strawberry ShortbrLHK ;YPÅL This incredible cookbook out of Savannah has some of Missy’s favorite recipes for sweets including what she says are the best old-fashioned cupcakes in the world rivaling Magnolia Bakery in New York.
Ansley Member Guest Lori and Bobby Talbert and Carolyn and Matt Fennell
Amy James, Amy Panessa, Cheri Leavy, Julie Hires, Aimee McMillen and Kathy Ramsey
C.J. Young, Todd Hagur, Sonny Hires and Jeff Mitnikiski Rob and Chantelle Taylor, Carol Mickel and Brian Barker
Shawnee Feinour and Tinsley and Chris Hayes
Ansley Man of the Year Phil Taylor and Jeff Ramsey
Wendy and Rob Leebern
Josh and Nicole Cobb
Rich and Soule Slaby
David and Jennifer Eastman
Shannon and Marshall Roberts
Betsy and Justin Clay
Darren and Sandi Penn
The Brunswick News is proud to present: INAUGURAL saint simons
The 2012 Georgia Literary
&
Festival at the Golden Isles
food
Hosted by College of Coastal Georgia, Jekyll Island Authority, and Golden Isles Convention and Visitors Bureau
Celebrating the Bounty of the Golden Isles September 21-23, 2012 || Gascoigne Bluff || Saint Simons Island Local foods prepared by more than 25 area chefs || Farm Stand Fine wines, spirits and craft brews || Juried arts & crafts market Cooking classes and demonstrations || Live music VIP Sports Tent with UGA football on the big screen
featuring:
with special guests:
NATHALIE DUPREE celebrated cookbook author and TV personality
TED DENNARD, beekeeper/founder Savannah Bee Company FORD FRY, Atlanta restaurateur and chef of JCT. Kitchen, no.246 & The Optimist LIBBIE SUMMERS, cookbook author, lifestyle trendsetter & blogger
Over 33 featured authors will be on hand to discuss and read excerpts from their recent work. The festival will feature new fiction and favorite beach reads, Southern cuisine cookbooks, coastal history, nature and the environment, popular childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s literature, and contributors to The Georgia Review literary magazine.
November 10 pearl level sponsors *MVMĂ&#x2026;\QVO
Friday Night Festival Feast Saturday Tasting Tent Sunday SPIRITual Brunch for tickets, schedules, menus, sponsorship & vendor opportunities
20
go to
Jekyll Island Convention Center Convention Center programs are free and open to the public. Additional programs will be held on November 9 and 11. www.GoldenIslesLiteraryFestival.com Sponsored by the Georgia Center for the Book and the Georgia Humanities Council.
Bulldawg Illustrated
recruiting news
2013 class shaping up nicely
By Carlton DeVooght
This past weekend was a big event for Georgia recruiting. The Georgia coaches hosted the Annual “Dawg Night” on July 13 for top recruits around the country. It is an opportunity for current commits and current and future targets of the Bulldogs and for future and current targets to compete for a scholarship offer for more attention from the coaches. This same weekend was also the state of Georgia’s PTA Conference in Athens, which my wife attended. Prior to her departure for the conference, I told her how great it would be if she could go down to Sanford Stadium to take in some of the incredible athleticism that would be present. When I finished telling her what a great event it was, she gave me one of those “are you crazy?” looks and turned back to what she was doing at the time. Friday morning, when I talked to her on the phone, I gave it one more try, telling her that several four and five star football recruits would be present at the event. She quickly changed the subject, telling me about the Osprey mascot for our children’s elementary school t-shirts and where she and her girlfriends were going for dinner. Despite my best efforts to convince my much better, much smarter half that she needed to spend at least a few minutes at this years’ Dawg Night, she felt that dinner at Farm 255 was a much better use of her time. Such is life. The absence of a DeVooght in the crowd at Dawg Night did not diminish the success of the event for the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs received commitments from Quincy Mauger, Safety from Kell High School in Marietta and from Tim Kimbrough, an inside linebacker from Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. Additionally, the Bulldogs received a commitment on Monday, July 16 from Shaun McGee, an outside linebacker from Brookwood High School, received his offer from the Bulldogs at Dawg Night. It also appears that at least one more commitment is on the horizon as a result of that recruit’s interactions with the coaches and other recruits at Dawg Night. The Bulldogs currently have twenty-two commitments that are public, and a couple more that are rumored to be silent. The Georgia coaches have indicated that they intend to sign thirty-four recruits in this year’s class, with eleven of these recruits enrolling early. This leaves twelve spots in the 2013 recruiting class. The coaches are working to fill these slots with some of the most talented players in the nation. The list of commitments has seen some changes over the past three months, but the young men who are currently committed to the Bulldogs have demonstrated their commitment to the Bulldogs by recruiting other top prospects for UGA.
Committed So Far Aulden Bynum – OL, Valwood High School, Valdosta, Georgia (6’5”, 260 pounds, 5.1/40). Bynum was the first offensive line commitment for the Bulldogs, committing in April of this year. The Valdosta native chose the Bulldogs over offers from Miami, South Carolina, Auburn, North Carolina and Nebraska. A lifelong fan of the Bulldogs, Bynum is a hard-nosed blocker playing the offensive line with a defensive lineman’s mentality. He is not afraid to mix it up in the trenches, which should make all Bulldog fans happy. Bynum is currently ranked as a three star prospect and one of the top 40 offensive tackles in the country. Josh Cardiello – OL, Buford High School, Buford Georgia (6’3”, 285 pounds, 5.6/40). Cardiello is a tenacious blocker who is slated to play on the interior of the offensive line for the Bulldogs. It is likely that he will end up at guard, and is currently ranked as one of the top 30 offensive guards in the country. Cardiello is known for his work ethic and his tenacity on the football field. He does not take plays off, and blocks his man until the whistle blows. Cardiello is an integral part of what is shaping up to be a very impressive O-line class for the Bulldogs this year. Reginald Carter – LB, South Gwinnett High School, Snellville, Georgia (6’0”, 216 pounds). Carter was part of the flurry of players who committed to the Bulldogs during the first ten days of April of this year. He is a strong linebacker, who is currently recovering from an ACL tear, which occurred during his first game of the 2011 season. According to Carter and his coaches, he is now at 100 percent and went through spring practice without any issues. Look for big things from this young man during his senior campaign, as he feels he has a lot to prove after missing last season. Carter chose the Bulldogs over Alabama, Florida State, South Carolina and Tennessee. Despite missing his junior season, he is still ranked as one of the top 30 inside linebackers in the country.
DeAundre Johnson – DT, Northgate High School, Newnan, Georgia (6’3”, 210 pounds). Johnson, whose nickname is “Moose” is relatively new to the game of football. The 2011 campaign was his first full year playing the game. Moose chose the Bulldogs over Tennessee, Georgia Tech, Mississippi State, and South Carolina. He loves to “blow things up” in the middle of the line, which is exactly what Coach Grantham expects from his Nose Tackle in the 3-4 defense. Despite only playing one year of organized football, Johnson is already ranked as one of the top 23 Defensive Tackles in the country. Rico Johnson – WR, Swainsboro High School, Swainsboro,
Georgia (5’11”, 170 pounds, 4.4/40). Speed is definitely the theme in the 2013 class. Johnson won the GHSA II State Championship in the 100 meters with a time of 11.05. At the Mark Richt mini camp he also ran 4.28 in the 40 in front of a huge contingent of coaches and media members. He has made incredibly acrobatic catches at the camps he’s attended, including the Nike Football Training Camp in Charlotte and an incredibly one hand catch at Dawg Night. Look for this young man to use his speed and soft hands to make some incredible catches for the Bulldogs in the future. Tim Kimbrough – LB, Warren Central High School, Indianapolis, Indiana (6’1”, 226 pounds, 4.6/40). Kimbrough committed to the Bulldog coaches at Dawg Night on July 13. This four star Linebacker is a hard-hitting linebacker who constantly looks like he’s running downhill. His commitment was welcome news to the Bulldog Nation, who had grown weary of the antics of another LB prospect who currently attends Auburn High School. Kimbrough is a no-nonsense, hard-working individual. He is ranked as one of the top six inside linebackers in the country and 137th player overall in the country. Kimbrough chose the Bulldogs over top programs all across the country. Brandon Kublanow – OL, Walton High School, Marietta, Georgia (6’3”, 290 pounds, 5.4/40). Kublanow is a recruit who is well known to Bulldog fans around the state. This four star prospect is currently ranked as one of the top two Centers in the country and is 131st best overall player in the nation. He is also ranked as one of the top 10 players in the state of Georgia for this year. Kublanow has great footwork, keeps his hips low and gets a great punch off the snap. He is another talented offensive lineman in this year’s class who has that nasty streak Coach Friend likes in his players. Look for Kublanow to challenge for playing time immediately upon arriving in Athens. Uriah LeMay - WR, Butler High School, Matthews, North Carolina (6’2”, 192 pounds, 4.5/40). I can hear it now, “touchdown Bulldogs, LeMay to LeMay”. Uriah is the younger brother of currently Bulldog quarterback, Christian LeMay. According to big brother Christian, Uriah used to play running back. This is why he runs in such a physical manner after the catch. It is also why Uriah is adept at blocking downfield. LeMay is very physical, which will help him see the field early in his career for the Bulldogs. He also has soft hands and is not afraid to go across the middle of the field in traffic. This four-star prospect chose the Bulldogs over offers from Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and many more top programs across the country. Tray Matthews - DB, Newnan High School, Newnan, Georgia (6’0”, 194 pounds, 4.7/40). Matthews has been one of the biggest recruiters for the Bulldogs this year. It has been well documented that he and fellow Bulldog commitment, Shaq Wiggins, were working hard to get inside linebacker prospect Reuben Foster to commit to the Bulldogs. After Foster played games this week and announced he was switching his commitment from Alabama to Auburn, many in the Bulldog Nation were concerned that Tray and Shaq would switch their commitments. Tray attended Dawg Night and reconfirmed to the coaches that he was committed to the Bulldogs. Additionally, Matthews cancelled his scheduled visit to Auburn last Saturday. It looks like the Georgia coaches have gone a long way toward cementing their relationship with Mathews, and that he is once again recruiting for the Dawgs. This four star safety prospect is one the top eight safeties in the country and one of the top five players in the state of Georgia. He is a hard-hitting safety who is also excellent in coverage. Matthews has offers from top-flight programs all over the country, and will be a great safety for the Bulldogs.
Reggie Davis – WR, Lincoln High School, Tallahassee, Florida (6’0”, 160 pounds, 4.5/40). Davis is lightening in a bottle. This Tallahassee Lincoln standout was labeled the fastest player at the Rivals Five Star Challenge in Atlanta. At the challenge, Davis demonstrated his speed, by stretching the field and getting separation from the defensive backs that attempted to cover him. He credits Coach Lily with recruiting him harder than any other coach at any other program in the country. Also, Davis appreciated that Coach Ball told him what it would take to come in and compete for playing time his freshman year. Davis chose the Bulldogs over offers from Ohio State, Clemson, South Carolina and Alabama. This four star prospect is ranked as one of the top 17 wide receivers in the country and as the 134th best player over all in the nation. Don’t let his 40 time fool you, because he has true “football speed”.
Quincy Mauger – DB, Kell High School, Marietta, Georgia (6’0”, 197 pounds, 4.53/40). Mauger committed to the Bulldogs Friday before Dawg Night began, and became the Bulldogs 20th commitment in this year’s class. At Dawg Night, Mauger was simply dominant. He either intercepted or knocked away every pass thrown to a receiver while he was in coverage. He uses his long arms and speed to maintain contact with the receiver at all times. This Peach State sleeper loves to help shut down the top receiver on any opposing team, but is not afraid to roll down and help against the run. Even though Mauger had committed prior to the beginning of Dawg Night, he still competed in all the drills. This should show everyone the type of player the Bulldogs have in this commitment.
J.J. Green – Athlete, Camden County High School, Kingsland, Georgia (5’9”, 170 pounds, 4.4/40). It will be fun to see Reggie Davis and J.J. Green in a foot race when they both join the Bulldogs. Green does it all, from returning kicks to playing Defensive Back. Camden County High School is a powerhouse program and Green holds the distinction of being the only player during Coach Herron’s tenure to start as a freshman. Even through he is incredibly fast, Green is a physical defense player at Corner. Even at his size, he is a physical and intimidating Corner that opposing wide receivers hate to see line up across from them. Green also has natural leadership skills, which will serve him well when he arrives in Athens. I have had the opportunity to watch this young man in person, and he is truly a special football player.
Chris Mayes – DT, Gulf Coast Community College, Perkinston, Mississippi (6’4”, 315 pounds). Chris Mayes is a massive Defensive Tackle prospect who had a successful 2011 Junior College campaign. During the course of seven games, Mayes had a total of 17 tackles. He has also put up some incredible numbers in the weight room, reporting a bench press max of 410 pounds and squat max of 595 pounds. Mayes originally committed to the Bulldogs as a four star prospect out of Spaulding High School in Griffin, Georgia in 2011. Everything appears to be in order for Mayes to red shirt this year at the Junior College and enroll early at Georgia in January. This will give him three years of eligibility in Athens to fill a key role for Coach Grantham’s D.
www.bulldawgillustrated.com
Shaun McGee – LB, Brookwood High School, Snellville, Georgia (6’3”, 233 pounds). This three star prospect received an offer from the Bulldog coaches at Dawg Night and committed to the Bulldogs three days later. This is the second time McGee has done this. Previously he attended camp at Alabama, and earned an offer personally extended by Coach Saban. He is a versatile LB who can rush the passer, stop the run, and slip into coverage smoothly. McGee has a huge upside, and was gaining attention from top programs across the country. He is a low risk-high reward recruit. Naim Mustafaa – DE, Alpharetta High School, Alpharetta, Georgia (6’4”, 235 pounds, 4.7/40). This four star prospect committed to the Bulldogs on June 9. He is currently ranked as one of the top thirteen Defensive Ends in the country and one of the top 23 players in the state of Georgia. Mustafaa is a Georgia Tech legacy, but felt Coach Grantham’s D offered him the best opportunity to showcase his talents. He is very strong and has a great inside move. This talented prospect picked the Bulldogs over Florida, VaTech, and other top programs across the country. Steven Nelson – DB, College of the Sequoias, Visalia, California (6’0”, 185 pounds, 4.4/40). Nelson plays for a traditional power in the JUCO ranks on the West Coast, but his heart is in Georgia. He played his high school ball at Northside-Warner Robins and his family members are all Bulldog fans. Nelson had a good campaign in 2011, with two interceptions, 6 break ups, and 29 tackles. He also has great football speed, and will be given a shot at punt returner for the Dawgs. Nelson is also a candidate to enroll early. Johnny O’Neal – LB, West Laurens High School, Dublin, Georgia (6’2”, 225 pounds). This four star prospect is currently ranked as one of the top five inside LB’s in the country and one of the top eight players in the state of Georgia. O’Neal is a punishing hitter who is solid sideline to sideline. He is the top-ranked recruit in on of the best ILB classes in the country. Brice Ramsey – QB, Camden County High School, Kingsland, Georgia (6’3”, 205 pounds). This four star prospect committed to the Bulldogs on July 15, 2011. He is currently ranked as one of the top nine quarterbacks in the country and one of the top fourteen players in the state of Georgia. He also has a great leg, which will give the Dawgs the opportunity to do any number of creative plays in the future. Ramsey has a great arm, which he doesn’t get to showcase very often in the Wing-T. He has already made a great impression out at the prestigious Elite 11 Camp in Redondo Beach, CA. Ramsey is probably a candidate for a redshirt, which will give him time to master the Dawg’s offense while watching Aaron Murray during his senior year. This young man has offers from across the country, and will do some great things between the Hedges. Ryne Rankin – LB, East River High School, Orlando, Florida (6’1”, 231 pounds). This three star prospect committed to the Bulldogs on April 6. While he is not the highest ranked ILB in this talented corps of commitments, he is one of my favorites. He is big and mean, and unwavering in his commitment to the Bulldogs. Rankin is currently ranked as one of the top nineteen LB’s in the country and one of the top fifty-eight players in the state of Florida, and is moving up the charts. This young man chose the Dawgs over a solid offer sheet from around the nation. Look for Rankin to become a leader on this defense. Tramel Terry – WR, Goose Creek High School, Goose Creek, South Carolina (6’0”, 190 pounds, 4.4/40). This four star prospect committed, or should I say reaffirmed his commitment to the Bulldogs on March 6. Terry originally committed to Bulldogs the same day as John Theus and Brice Ramsey last year. He wisely took some time and confirmed Athens is the place for him. Terry is currently ranked as one of the top eighteen Wide Receivers in the country and one of the top two players in the state of South Carolina. He has great hands and excellent speed, which make him the playmaker Coach Richt needs for the Dawg’s offense to click on all cylinders. Terry chose the Bulldogs over top programs across the nation, including the instate Gamehens. I can see the Ole Ball coach tossing his visor now. Shaquille Wiggins – DB, Sandy Creek High School, Tyrone, Georgia (5’10”, 160 pounds, 4.6/40). This three star prospect committed to the Bulldogs on February 10. He is currently ranked as one of the top twenty-eight Defensive Backs in the country and one of the top twenty-four players in the state of Georgia. Wiggins has also been one of the biggest recruiters for the Bulldogs this year. Like Tray Matthews, Wiggins reaffirmed his commitment to the Georgia coaches. He is a hard hitting safety that will fit very nicely in Coach Lakatos’ secondary. Look for Wiggins to challenge for early playing time. It may be a bumpy road in his recruitment, but in the end he will sign with the Dawgs. Reggie Wilkerson – Defensive Back, North Marion High School, Ocala, Florida (5’11”, 163 pounds). This versatile four star prospect committed to the Bulldogs on April 14. He is currently ranked as one of the top eighteen Defensive Backs in the country and one of the top thirty players in the state of Florida. Wilkerson is a two-way standout for North Marion High School, who was rated as one of the top performers at the NLA 7 on 7 tournament in Atlanta in early March. Even though he is ranked as one of the top 200 prospects in the country, this young man will move up the rankings this fall. Wilkerson has shut down his recruitment and told coaches from some other big time programs he is “All Dawg”.
This is a great start to what will be a big class for 2013. When we win the East, the class will be even better. And maybe my wife will let me go to dinner in Athens with her. Go Dawgs!
21
Dissecting the Dogs Bulldog leaders have confidence in offensive linemen and running game By Murray Poole
T
he three Bulldogs who accompanied Mark Richt to Hoover, Ala. last week for SEC Media Days talked about a wide range of subjects, including how they feel about the dismissal of tailback Isaiah Crowell from the team, Georgia being the favorite to win the SEC Eastern Division and the excitement of traveling to Missouri on Sept. 8 for the 2012 SEC opener. “It was devastating. Isaiah is like my little brother,” junior All-America linebacker Jarvis Jones said about Crowell who, like Jones, performed for Carver High in Columbus. “But I think he just needs to make better decisions and I think he will, you know. Everybody still supports him, everybody still loves him and we’re here for him and still going to try to help him make the best decisions. “It's the individual that makes the mistake, not the University of Georgia,” Jones said in answer to a question if Crowell’s dismissal is another blight on the Bulldogs’ program. “Coach Richt didn't get in trouble. Most of us haven’t got in trouble. That’s what you’ve got to look at.” Jones said he knows the Missouri Tigers will be pumped when they make their SEC debut against Georgia but then, so will the Bulldogs. “Man, we’re always excited to get the opportunity to play,” Jones said. “I mean, every weekend is an excitement for us. Missouri is a great team and we welcome them to the SEC. We’re glad to have them a part of the SEC, and hope them the best.” Senior wide receiver Tavarres King said the Bulldogs aren’t really concerned about the SEC Media picking Georgia to repeat in SEC East this fall. He knows that’s just preseason speculation on paper and is aware of how hard the team must work to achieve its goals of winning the SEC title. “We’re still hungry,” King said on the final day of the three-day event at The Wynfrey Hotel. “We did make it to the SEC championship (last season), but we didn’t win it. That’s something that we want to do and it’s something that we feel like we can do. Several guys came back to do that. We said that we had some unfinished business and that’s it … winning the big game of the SEC championship.” But, also, at this year’s media days in the suburb south of Birmingham, Jones, King and Bulldog senior defensive end Abry Jones also voiced their opinion on the area of Georgia’s team that is being called the Bulldogs’ major question mark entering this new season … the UGA offensive line and whether it will be capable of helping offensive coordinator Mike Bobo develop a strong running game this fall to complement Aaron Murray’s passing arm. “You know, those guys are on board,” related King. “They’re in there every morning working out early and grinding and then they have to come back in the afternoon and do some extra work with us. And they come and get it done and I’m excited about what they’re going to do for us. Just going up against a great defense coming up in fall camp is going to be good for them. I’ve been really impressed with (sophomore tackle) Watts Dantzler,” said King. “His work ethic has been tremendous. I feel like he has a lot going for him. KG (Kenarious Gates) is a guy you can always count on, he’s been a guy we’ve been counting on since we got here so I’m looking forward to seeing what he can continue to do for us and if those (young) guys will jump on his back.” “I think our offensive linemen are a good, hardworking group,” said Abry Jones. “I think the only real
Jarvis Jones 22
knock about them is that they don’t have that much experience collectively, but I think like any offensive line once they get on a roll, they’re on a roll. One thing I really love about them is that they work well as a team. I think most of them are young guys who came in together so they’ve been on the second team working together for a while and they’re just continuing their growth together, so I’m not really too worried about them. I think once the competition gets started, I know they won’t give up. Definitely,” added Jones, “Kenarious Gates, he’s doing a great job then you’ve got Chris Burnette. He’s doing a great job of leading them and then Boss (David) Andrews. He’s really doing a great job of stepping in for Ben Jones. Now I haven’t seen (freshman) John Theus do any footwork activities yet but I’ve seen his work ethic in the weight room and it’s really been impressive.” Star linebacker Jarvis Jones echoed Abry Jones in stating the Bulldogs’ offensive line, while being young and lacking experience in areas, boasts a great deal of promise. “It will probably take a couple of games to get them rolling but I definitely see a lot of potential in our offensive line,” Jarvis said. “Those guys have been working, they believe in each other and they believe in what they do. We have a great coaching staff, they’re going to get them ready to play and as far as our defense, we’re going to push them (O-linemen) in practice to make sure they’re ready to play. I know big (John) Theus, he always comes to work. Kenarious Gates, Chris Burnette, Watts Dantzler, I mean all those guys have been working. All of them believe in each other, they’re out there every day working going through some pass stuff, blocking schemes and all that so it’s just exciting to see them play. Once we get to camp, we’re going to see how much better they’ve gotten.” Does Jones see the offensive linemen providing ample space for the Dogs’ running backs this season? “That’s what we hope,” he replied. “You know you only need two or three seconds as a good running back, right? I think they block two or three seconds, Keith (Marshall), Todd (Gurley), Ken Malcome and the rest of the backs can make a whole lot of plays. But I really think our O-line will improve from last year and surprise a lot of people.” Speaking of the Bulldog running corps, King and the two Joneses believe there is a number of talented tailbacks to fill the void that was left when Crowell, last year’s top rusher, was booted from the team. “We’ve got a great combination of backs,” said King. “We’ve got Keith Marshall, Todd Gurley, Richard Samuel, Ken Malcome, Brandon Harton … we’ve got guys who have played some significant snaps for us and we got two guys (freshmen Marshall and Gurley) we expect to be the real deal.”
Mark Richt
Tavarres King
photo by Travis Ragsdale
King, the team’s top receiver last season with 47 catches, said the Bulldogs’ running game will help balance out the Georgia passing game this fall. “I think it will. You’ve got a bunch of guys back there that can do some different things, do some great things so I think it will open up our passing game.” “I really haven’t seen our running backs yet,” said Abry Jones. “They work out (in summer) different times than we do but I saw Keith Marshall in the springtime and he really impressed me before he had his little nick so I’m really ready to see him put on some pads and run in the game.” “We’ve been doing seven-on-seven and those young guys (Marshall, Gurley) have great hands, great route concepts,” offered Jarvis Jones. “They’ve still got a lot to learn, they’re just learning the basics of the offense. But it’s going to be very exciting to see them play. Keith was here in the spring so I know what he’s capable of and I’ve seen Todd’s high school film. He’s a workaholic and loves getting better and loves pushing himself to the max. I can’t wait to see him.” Georgia’s head coach is also confident of what coordinator Will Friend’s offensive front can accomplish this season and thereby make the Bulldogs’ ground attack more formidable. “They all know that they are a little bit of a focal point, needing to prove that they can do it and I think it’s added some incentive from what I understand,” Richt said. “But with offensive line guys, just coordinating five guys to hit the right guy is big and these guys are very sharp. If we can get five to fight like mad and put their hat on the right guy, I think we can function pretty good.” If Richt and the three players he brought to Hoover are on target about how well Georgia’s O-linemen can perform this season, then this football team should be a complete one indeed.
Abry Jones Bulldawg Illustrated