Uzzi staying at Tech

The deadline for early entry into the NFL draft passed Sunday night without an announcement from Georgia Tech guard Omoregie Uzzi, meaning he will return for his senior season with the Yellow Jackets.

It was not unexpected. While Uzzi had requested an NFL draft evaluation in December, he was leaning towards staying at Tech all along and gave indication that he planned to come back. The return of the first-team All-ACC guard means that every Tech offensive lineman will return next season.

97 comments Add your comment

I get it...........

January 17th, 2012
11:44 am

NCAA 5 – GT -5

I get it...........

January 17th, 2012
11:47 am

Hasn’t GT been sanctioned 5 times in the last 10 years?

Italian_29

January 17th, 2012
11:47 am

That is AWESOME for you guys, this is big for Tech and the program, Great choice Mr Uzzi, good luck in your Senior Year, I wish you the best, except the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Oh and I also agree that Hill left too early, but good luck to him too, I guess he did what he felt was best for his future, even though we may not think that is the case, it is his life.

Supersize that order, mutt

January 17th, 2012
11:48 am

dekalb fan

January 17th, 2012
11:50 am

This is what the NFL says about Stephem Hill: He is the # 11 ranked WR and 92nd overall. That’s without any workouts. There are mock drafts that have him going in the first round, the following statement comes from NFLscout.com

WR Stephen Hill , Georgia Tech, 92/11: Paul Johnson’s triple-option offense rarely puts the ball in receivers’ hands, but Hill demonstrated his big play potential in averaging a gaudy 29.3 yards per catch in 2011, which led the country and broke the school record. Hill is undeniably raw but his size and speed combination is reminiscent of former Tech and 2010 first-rounder Demaryius Thomas.

HighTech

January 17th, 2012
11:56 am

.Technically Correct

January 17th, 2012
11:24 am
That “whoooosh” sound you hear is CPJ exhaling a sigh of relief!
—————————————
That wasn’t CPJ. That was me.

dekalb fan

January 17th, 2012
11:57 am

The following is another NFL Scouting report on Stephen Hill:

This is the scouting report page for Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech’s playmaker at wide receiver. Check out all of our other scouting reports here at NFL Mocks.
Measurables:
6’5″ 206 pounds
4.45-4.6 40 yard dash

Scouting Report
This is a kid coming from the triple option offense which has seen two guys get drafted in the first round as the first receiver taken overall (Calvin Johnson, 07; Demaryius Thomas, 10). Obviously with the triple option, you are called a lot to block and I think that will be a strength of this guy right away. Being that GT runs the triple option, his route tree is extremely limited and it will take him time to learn that at the NFL level, which could lower his stock a bit.

He is so physically imposing at 6’5″ and close to 210 pounds, and that is only going to help him in the process. He is the type of guy that you want to get the ball in space or let him just fly down the field and make a play. He is a great athlete with good speed, though I’m not sure he’s as fast as Thomas or Johnson, his predecessors. Averaging over 30 yards per reception and is clearly the top playmaker in the passing game.
PROS: Size, physical, athletic ability, playmaking ability, go up and get the ball, run after catch
CONS: Limited route tree, limited reps in passing game.

By the way: Read last year’s Scouting Report on Thomas and you will see that they are remarkably similar.

Jacket Dad

January 17th, 2012
11:58 am

Awesome news on Uzzi and for the Yellow Jackets!!!!!!

OkieDawg

January 17th, 2012
12:00 pm

I guess Uzzi needed to stay around one more year to perfect the Chop Block.

GT Rich

January 17th, 2012
12:00 pm

This means all of the O-linemen two-deep are back this fall, plus only 2 of those guys will be gone in 2013. The O-line seems well-prepared for attrition; the D-line is anemic in depth and in size. I thought it was supposed to be easier to build a D-line for the 3-4 scheme??

Atlien

January 17th, 2012
12:06 pm

No, a lot more is expect of D-lineman in a 3-4. Better athletes are required.

Supersize that order, mutt

January 17th, 2012
12:11 pm

Ahh, there’s the idiot Okie with his “chop block” BS. I thought we might be spared a day of his inane rantings. No such luck

Supersize that order, mutt

January 17th, 2012
12:14 pm

Okie, why are you so obsessed with Tech that you come on our blogs every day spouting garbage? I think you have some serious problems

HighTech

January 17th, 2012
12:17 pm

What is Ben “Pigpen” Jones doing after graduation? If he is interested in being a graduate assistant, maybe he can join the staff at GT to teach the OL this chop block technique that OkieDwag advocates. It would not be unusual to have a former Bulldog on the sidelines.

Seriously folks

January 17th, 2012
12:23 pm

@Dekalb fan Calvin never played for PJ or in any option offense.

Tokyo jacket

January 17th, 2012
12:24 pm

So excited that Uzzi will be back next year and that EVERY OL will RETURN for the FIRST time in CPJ’s tenure. This will be the first time (sadly) that we don’t have a patchwork O-line. I think we’re looking at over 15 kids on scholarship along the O-line. That’s the best way for a rushing team to succeed.

Man strength wins in the trench. Our guys have been pushed around late in the season by 22/23/25 year olds. Having them be one year older as a group will limit that this year.

With our line in tact, I’m thinking 8 wins is the baseline, 9 wins is a good year and 10 wins is within reach.

Supersize that order, mutt

January 17th, 2012
12:30 pm

Tokyo, it all depends on the defense and whoever ends up at QB

Oh, and some special teams play would help too

Supersize that order, mutt

January 17th, 2012
12:39 pm

@Seriously, I think dekalb fan was quoting a scouting report. It is obvious, however, that the scouting report was claiming that Calvin played in the triple option, and I think we all know that was not the case. Makes one wonder how much these scouts really know. LOL

cewbee

January 17th, 2012
12:53 pm

Greene is supposed to be a really strong receiver – didn’t get the touches because of Hill and Melton in front of him. Give ‘em time in the off-season to work on the new blood – might be a pleasant surprise with Vad at the helm…..

Seriously folks

January 17th, 2012
1:12 pm

Just curios, where are 8 the base line wins?

Hammond

January 17th, 2012
1:52 pm

That is great news now lets get a quarterback

old dog

January 17th, 2012
2:10 pm

Hey…..send this guy over to us! We obviously can’t bring in a great o-line, and have been great at proving it recently…………………………

crackbaby

January 17th, 2012
3:13 pm

@kshizzle – IMO you are wrong about Steven Hill. If he is an undrafted free agent, he is free to choose what team to try out with. In many case this is better than being a last round draft pick.

In any case, I suspect he will get drafted. Pretty sure he will make a team. 6′5″ with decent speed, good blocker. Belichik would love to pick this guy up. Tampa Bay, Chicago, Jax, Minnesota and the Redskins need receivers in a bad way.

Hope S Hill makes it big in the league. Don’t understand all the haters – kid was fun to watch.

crackbaby

January 17th, 2012
3:15 pm

Looking forward to watching Uzzi kick tail on the flats this fall! Thanks, Ken.

Dawg Day Night

January 17th, 2012
3:19 pm

You people are crazy. Stephen Hill will go in the first round of the draft. He’s amazing and he’s the smartest football player out there. Hahahahahaha…..

GT Fan

January 17th, 2012
3:36 pm

Actually, I think Claytor and Tarrant were smarter AND better players.

Seriously folks

January 17th, 2012
4:08 pm

Crackbaby, too many wide receivers out there with more experience and the benefit of being coached to run routes etc. Hill is a big time project on the professional level, would be a project with most high level d 1 programs. IMHO someone will bring him and take a look, but his deficiencies as a WR far outweigh his upside tall with speed.

Paddy

January 17th, 2012
4:37 pm

If you are tall with speed you may get a look. But to make a NFL roster you must have great hands. There are many smaller & slower wr playing regular in the league. The reason is they can make the tough catch almost every time .Just looking good in the hotel lobby does not get you a paycheck!

IL Jacket

January 17th, 2012
5:10 pm

Thanks Uzzi. Looking forward to you having a big season with the Jackets in 2012. Wish you nothing but the best.

gt45

January 17th, 2012
5:56 pm

Good for Uzzi. This will only strengthen his stock-and we sure need him!

Ghost

January 17th, 2012
6:23 pm

How will playing in this system help his stock ? His evaluation must have been bad pretty low.

BuzzKill

January 17th, 2012
7:05 pm

I think this is great news that uzzi stayed it will mean he moves up to at least the first or second round next year. Ive sat and read alot of Gatech fans diss our team and coaches and can’t figure out why? I remember during the chan era that a win against UGA and Vatech was never within reach Now it seems were right in the thick of things in the last few weeks of the season every year. I am anxious to see the schedule this year to see when we travel to Va tech because I feel this will be a big game for us. Sure its nice to beat the cess pool up in athens and would love to do so every year but I will take a ACC championship and a BCS Bowl anyday over a win against Georgia. I think we need to stay the course support PJ and his staff and just wait unitl you see Gamble and Kallon play wow I would be shocked if they redshirt those guys at all. Let me toss this out how would you like to be a defensive coach knowing you had braun,mason,finch,uzzi joe lining up in front of you? Now look to the backfield where you see smith,lee,snoody, and sims? then at wide out you see jeff greene and tyler mercodes who is just like that kid from the packers jordy nelson. Then on defense you get to match wits with the likes of ,dieke, barnes, cross, up front and then you see neeley,drumond, attachou, burnett, nealey, and watts? then you go to the back and see sweeting,thomas,johnson, and holton? Come on you have to see the future is bright?

Coach

January 17th, 2012
7:12 pm

Great news!!!! Thanks, Ormoregie.

yellow britches

January 17th, 2012
7:16 pm

Speaking of ancient history: Does anyone know if Notre Dame or George O’Leary ever paid the one million dollar buy out fee? Maybe we could have used that to pay Paul Hewitt a portion of his seven million dollar fee not to coach at Georgia Tech. 40 D1 football coaches are paid over 2 million a year and the players get sanctioned for accepting a pair of pants from a cousin. Oh yes, and GT forfeits games and a ACC title. Is this stupid or what?

GT ATW

January 17th, 2012
7:40 pm

Great news that our best OL man is staying! Unless they are projected as 1st round draft pick, I really wish they would stay. Hill really should have stayed. Imagine if he improved as much next year as he did this year—he could have been a high round draft pick. I personally think the academics were kicking his butt and he wanted out as fast as possible. Recall he was on academic probation for last year’s bowl game against Air Force.

GT ATW

January 17th, 2012
7:45 pm

@BuzzKill

I couldn’t agree with you more.

Jacket Follower

January 17th, 2012
8:04 pm

Great news for Jacket fans regarding Ozzi!!

Rock Of Ages

January 17th, 2012
8:34 pm

Wow great news for Tech’s offense. CPJ has built more depth on the offensive line than any coach that I can remember and I’ve been a Tech fan since 1969. Uzzi is a tremendous player and will be a great role model for the younger players. Another player Tech fans have seemed to have forgotten about on defense and I’m excited about watching next year is linebacker Jabari Hunt Days. He will push hard for a starting role next year and will definetly improve our D. Still hoping Tomlinson will sign and attract a couple of big time players to sign with him. GOOOOOOOOOO TECH.

Ghost

January 17th, 2012
8:48 pm

Buzzkill, wake up, Tyler Mercodes is a LB? Give you credit for being optimistic. But those 1aa players pj recruits will lose to every good team they play in 2012.

A Rob

January 17th, 2012
9:09 pm

Buzzkill, I want some of what is obviously buzzing you! That mix of players is average at best, but not prepared to beat the better teams.
The only thing that can make a real difference will be a QB that can make all the big plays running and throwing and pretty much put the team on his back. Still hoping and waiting for one of those.

1 4 GT

January 17th, 2012
9:46 pm

Congratulations Mr. Uzzi. I had the pleasure of a brief meeting in El Paso with your Mom. I could tell she was very proud of her “baby”, and wanted to cry because GT lost the game. Glad you chose to stay at GT and play one more year of ball and I think start work towards your masters. Lead the guys to a great season next fall and win a bowl game, a championship & beat the stuff out of UGA. Good luck and much success for you in life. Thanks.

Go Jackets!

January 17th, 2012
10:08 pm

Hey Dawgs, I know it’s all in fun but what do you really get out of it? Do you think “GTbob gives a hoot? How many tech trolls do you think post on your multiple blogs? I’ve posted positive comments about UGA on your blogs and was told to go “F” myself. I still pull for the bulldogs anyway. I know too many decent UGA fans not to, plus I love the state of Georgia. This stuff won’t change my opinion. Still, what is the point of denigrating GT? You’d think we whip you every year, but we know that’s not the case. So really, what is it?

Supersize that order, mutt

January 17th, 2012
10:11 pm

Ghost, are you really that stupid? A good lineman is a good lineman no matter what the offensive scheme is.

Supersize that order, mutt

January 17th, 2012
10:13 pm

dry dirt road, it would appear that you are every bit as stupid as ghost. What a bunch of BS you just typed

BuzzKill

January 18th, 2012
9:46 am

@ Ghost and a rob First I must let you know that I had to negate my standards by even responding to you. Second 1aa players I think if we would look back at the majority of players on the roster they were offerd at the cess pool as well and had the good sense not to go! Third and final I think if you would spend less time on our blogs and more time working then you would have the funds to help get half of your thugs at ugag out of jail!

GT Jeff

January 18th, 2012
3:33 pm

Good news about Uzzi and the potential improvement of the offensive line. Also, things seem to be looking up at QB with Days, Lee and the incoming recruits. I wish I had some reason for optimism with the defense and special teams, but I have neither seen nor heard anything that makes me feel better about either one. Unless GT improves significantly in BOTH of these areas, winning more than 7-8 games per season will continue to be very unlikely, as will winning a division or ACC title.

A Rob

January 18th, 2012
7:46 pm

Buzz,
I graduated from GT in ‘93 at was at 1990 Citrus Bowl, so I can speak for myself in saying that I hate the Dawgs just like you. Would also venture to guess that Ghost is a TEch fan too. If he knows that Mercodes is a LB than he must be a tech fan who, like myself supports the team and university, but is not thrilled with the current coaching and direction of our program.
As to your comment about the majority of our players being offered by UGA, I don’t have the numbers in front of me but am sure there are very few that were.