Defensive backs: Will three new starters and new coach spell new results?
(Ninth in a summer series looking at Georgia’s football team by position.)
TODAY: DEFENSIVE BACKS
- Returning starter: CB Brandon Boykin.
- Starters lost: S Reshad Jones (drafted in fifth round by Miami Dolphins); S Bryan Evans (signed as undrafted free agent with Cincinnati Bengals but was cut last week); CB Prince Miller (signed as undrafted free agent with Baltimore Ravens).
- Cornerback depth chart: Boykin, a junior, is the clear starter at one corner, and Vance Cuff, a senior, is No. 1 at the other after a strong spring. However, the competition between Cuff and ultra-promising sophomore Branden Smith will continue in preseason practice. Look for Boykin, Cuff and Smith on the field in nickel situations. Redshirt sophomore Sanders Commings and redshirt freshman Jordan Love also are in the cornerback mix.
- Safety depth chart: Redshirt sophomore Bacarri Rambo is the clear starter at free safety, and junior Nick Williams emerged from spring ball No. 1 at strong safety. Williams will have to stave off continued competition in preseason practice, with prized recruit Alec Ogletree joining JUCO transfer Jakar “The Hit Man” Hamilton, sophomore Shawn Williams and injury-plagued senior Quintin Banks in the mix.
- Key fact: Georgia allowed 25 touchdown passes (the most in the SEC) and intercepted only 10 passes (the second fewest in the SEC) last season. Four of the 10 interceptions were by Jones, who left early for the NFL.
- Key question: Will a fresh start in the secondary –- three new starters, new coach (Scott Lakatos), new approach — produce better results after back-to-back shaky seasons?
- Recent developments: The arrival of Ogletree and Hamilton in the 2010 signing class adds some serious talent. Ogletree, from Newnan, was rated the No. 3 safety prospect in the nation by Rivals.com and the No. 3 outside-linebacker prospect by Scout.com. He’s working at safety this summer but might play OLB down the road. Hamilton, who came to Athens by way of Georgia Military College, was ranked the nation’s No. 4 safety prospect (and second best junior-college player) by Rivals.
- Outlook: Up in the air. There’s a lot of talent — albeit largely unproven at the collegiate level other than Boykin — and players are genuinely excited about Lakatos’ vision of an aggressive, physical secondary that stresses press coverage and interceptions. As Cuff said during the spring: “Coach Lakatos, he wants the ball.”
- Your turn: What say you about the secondary?
If you missed ‘em, take a glance at other positions:
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
NEXT WEEK: Special teams.
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277 comments Add your comment
AltamahaDawg
June 25th, 2010
9:39 am
Urban???? what “most accounts”?
Bud
June 25th, 2010
9:56 am
This is the only weak unit on the team.
Offense: O-Line, TE’s, WR’s, RB’s, QB’s, all stellar.
Special teams: punter, kicker, kick returner, stellar. Need a good punt returner like Green (returned 12 punts for td’s in high school).
Defense: D-Line, LB’s, stellar. Safeties, Ogletree, Hamilton, etc., stellar. CB’s need some guys to step up, don’t have tall guys there. Boykin, Cuff were not impressive last season.
tim
June 25th, 2010
10:02 am
hey how2fish if the gators played the 2nd or 3rd tean D they would still kick your ass…and you know it 17 out of 20 soon to be 18 of 21
Brainiac(Dawg for life in Louisville, Ga.)
June 25th, 2010
10:11 am
AFTER ONE GETS HIT BY RAMBO THERE IS USUALLY ENOUGH TIME FOR RAMBO TO TAKE A NAP WHILE SOMEBODY CLEANS UP THE CARNAGE. ASK AUBURN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bud
June 25th, 2010
10:15 am
How tall are the corners?
Cuff?
Branden?
Boykin?
Might be a problem against teams like Arkansas, South Carolina & Auburn.
How2fish
June 25th, 2010
10:17 am
tim I don’t know that at all in fact I think we take you to the woodshed this year.but if you feel the need to play the 2nd and 3rd team guys go ahead.
How2fish
June 25th, 2010
10:20 am
Bud not sure how tall the corners are however a lot can be overcome as far as a lack of height if they just turn and watch the ball! Something it seemed they never did last year!
gdawginkalamazoo
June 25th, 2010
10:51 am
Delbert D, I think that was Top 5 Rounds NFL pick.
gdawginkalamazoo
June 25th, 2010
10:55 am
Orlando Dawg, I say 750K to the new DC better give us some kind of identity on that side of the ball. If not I will very disappointed. Grantham can do it I think. 750K reasons he should.
AltamahaDawg
June 25th, 2010
11:03 am
Tim, why do Gator fans always look at 20 exactly? Why not 25 or 23, or 12 or 6? any number . Why 20 exactly? It’s always puzzled me what was magic or significant about exactly 20.
Dawg Trainer
June 25th, 2010
11:22 am
Just letting you Dawgs know that the Dawg Trainer will be in Athens July 2nd to inspect his new turf. Unfortunately, ladies, Tennessee T won’t be able to stay overnight…Fortunately for the women of Atlanta, I WILL be staying there overnight!
And after further review, it’s a good thing that the UF-UGa game is in Jax. Neyland South/Ben Hill Griffin North is a bit unwieldy!
PowerDawg
June 25th, 2010
11:37 am
We are not completely devoid of experience in the D backfield. Every position is loaded with talent and they will finally get to play the ball instead of that 15 yrd cushion and bend-but-don’t break crap.
If Lakatos could put together 4 ball-hawks that smothered recievers and tackled cleanly at a place like UConn, he will make our secondary fearsome. Plus, take a look at UConn’s penalty to passes defended ratios. This guy knows how to coach.
Looks like we’re going to make some offenses “Lakatos Intolerant” this year.
Uh oh, Chongo!
June 25th, 2010
12:03 pm
Bring back the Junkyard Dawgs!
“Bryan Evans cut by the Bengals last week”
What took them so long? It’s already been 2 months. It must have been the pass coverage that wowwed them.
How2fish
June 25th, 2010
12:04 pm
PowerDawg LMAO “Lakatos Intolerant” great phrase I like it !
Hayseed Dixie
June 25th, 2010
12:14 pm
UGA has had National Championship calibre recruits and money for over two decades.
harold
June 25th, 2010
12:15 pm
HI GANG IT’S HAROLD AGAIN! YOU ARE ABOUT TO READ THE NO SPIN ZONE. SO SIT DOWN WAKE UP FROM THE DREAM THEY ARE TELLING YOU TO HAVE AND LET’S FOCUS ON THE FACTS!
FACT:GEORGIA AND RICHT ARE NOT A CHAMPIONSHIP PROGRAM OR COACH.
FACT:ALABAMA AND FLORIDA ARE A CHAMPIONSHIP PROGRAM & CHAMPION COACHES!
FACT:GEORGA WAS 4-4 LAST YEAR IN THE SEC
FACT:GEORGIA IS 20-12 THE LAST FOUR YEARS IN THE SEC
FACT:GEORGIA IS DREAMING ABOUT IT WHILE ALABAMA & FLORIDA DO IT!
FACT:FOUR COACHES “REJECTED” THE D COORDINATOR POSITION.
FACT:THE DIGRESSION WITH GEORGIA FOOTBALL IS OBVIOUS BASED ON THE FACTS!
FACT:WAKE-UP—-SMELL THE COFFEE–AND GET IN THE REAL WORLD!
FACT:THE DREAM OF GEORGIA WINNING A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IS DELUSIONAL
Houdawg
June 25th, 2010
12:28 pm
How the secondary plays this year : …….. ” See the Ball …. Get the Ball ! ”
OK , more details I know , but we WILL get better results this season ……
Houdawg
June 25th, 2010
12:29 pm
Hi Harold …….. stuff it !
UGA is Just Fine....
June 25th, 2010
12:58 pm
Hey Big Guy…how about Tim Jennings, Sean Jones, Jermaine Phillips, or Thomas Davis (S @ UGA now an LB), not to mention Reshad Jones who was drafted.
Dawg Trainer
June 25th, 2010
1:02 pm
I see Harold has arrived…so he’ll continue the training for today.
See you tomorrow!
UGA is Just Fine....
June 25th, 2010
1:04 pm
….oh and Greg Blue.
See Big Guy when you spout ignorance…nevermind anything else would just be a waste of both time and words.
Go Dawgs!
Newnan Cougars
June 25th, 2010
1:10 pm
Right on Chris. Bryan Evans probably got cut because he can get burned by an offensive guard. I always hate to say it about any Dawg, but that guy was garbage. Prince Miller did as well as any 5′8″ corner could, and was a great return man, but no way he’s matching up on any NFL receiver. He’s no Brent Grimes.
We’re looking great this year though & I can’t wait to see Ogletree get on the field! Safety though. He would have to get beastly in the next few months to even think about playing OLB in the 3-4. This is also the best I’ve ever felt about our corners though. Freakish atheletes with decent size are always welcome……..Unless named Bryan Evans.
Newnan Cougars
June 25th, 2010
1:27 pm
UGA is just fine/Big Guy – Don’t forget about Asher Allen & Paul Oliver(who would’ve been a 1st or early 2nd rounder if he wasn’t an idiot and didn’t fail classes heading into his senior year). Oh yeah & every one of those guys other than Jennings & Phillips left early, so don’t pretend you know what you’re talking about Big Gay (for any gays out there I’m not a hater, just returning the favor to this loser). We have the occasional injury plagued 4 or 5 star guy who never pans out or turns into a crack head (cough cough! Jasper Sanks), but we consistently put quality players into the NFL in every position, so take it and like it Big Guy.
UGA is Just Fine....
June 25th, 2010
2:07 pm
Newnan, thanks, forgot about those two!
shane#1
June 25th, 2010
4:24 pm
I like this defensive backfield. This is the biggest D backfield since the Davis-Blue days and possibly the fastest group ever. A 220lb SS, a 210lb FS, and three CBs with game breaking speed. You talk about one hell of a nickle package! Plus there will be solid backups with Hamilton, Banks[provided he stays healthy], and Cummings. I don’t think Ogletree will get much PT at Safety or LB, he needs a lot of work with pass coverage. I do not think he should be red shirted, he is too good at special teams play. Ogletree has a knack for blocking kicks and is murder on kick returners. So train him at lB or safety and play him on kick block and coverage teams. By the second half of the season he may be ready for the defensive rotation.
chazzo
June 25th, 2010
4:30 pm
FACT: HERALD IS ANNOYING.
MountainDawg
June 25th, 2010
4:46 pm
@ Milburn Drysdale – LOL! Dadgum hilarious!
These DBs have good straight line speed, and hopefully the can translate/utilize it on the gridiron. BTW, I don’t put much stock in the (pro-caste) recruiting services (Rivals, etc.). They listed busts like Jasper Sanks & Marquis Elmore as “5 stars”, but (the best defensive player in UGA history) David Pollack as only “3 stars”.
orlando Dawg
June 25th, 2010
5:19 pm
I appreciate your comments and the point of view gdawginkalamazoo. Still with all that money being paid out to CTG, I want(and expect)to see UGA get that swagger back, and instill fear into the opposition the way UGA use to do, or at least show a glimpse of that, some time early in this season. Time will reveal if indeed we do regain that.
I also recall another DB that was drafted into the NFL, although from an earlier time period… Jake Scott.
Neutral observor
June 25th, 2010
5:44 pm
Harold happens to be right.
savannadawg
June 25th, 2010
7:11 pm
Ask yourself? Would I run a pattern against these guys? One word comes to mind. FEROCIOUS!!!! I for one do not want to lose my head to any of these men. Specifically the safties.
savannadawg
June 25th, 2010
7:18 pm
MountainDawg, I will agree about Sanks but Mudcat got a back injury at that prep school he went to and never fully recovered.
Browndog
June 25th, 2010
7:44 pm
UGA should be much better but they have to win the turnover battle. Will be a very interesting season. Could lose 5 or win 11. SC game will set the tone for the season. I’ll be happy with team showing improvement each game, regardless of the win/loss record.
DawginLex
June 25th, 2010
7:55 pm
Neutral,harold and dawg trainer are all DA’s and that doesa not stand for district attorney
chazzo
June 25th, 2010
8:01 pm
Herald, right or wrong, is annoying. When the fashion that you post info is annoying, chances are you are annoying. But, his post, which I equate to throwing an egg at someone’s house and running like hell, is foolish and wrong, as well. Let us start with the 4 D coordinator statement. No one, at least no one who has sense thought Smart or what’s his name at Texas were coming. It would be a bad move for them. Richt, however, had to offer, because all the fans with no sense would forever be riding the new D-coordinator and saying we should have hired Smart. Now, the championship thing. Last year was tough. We all know that. Therefore, Herald is just being a little jackass. If your definition of “championship coach” is one that has won championships, then Richt clearly is a championship coach. If your definition is only coaches that win NCs, well then you are excluding a bevy of great coaches (including Bear Bryant) that haven’t had the right formula and timing and luck for that distinction. But, what really makes Herald a complete little sucker punching dweeb is that he showed up to put us in our place by telling us we weren’t as good as (arguably) the two best teams in the country LAST season. Well, Herald, neither were 148 or so other D1 schools. My point is last year is gone. the last ten years gone. The last twenty gone! You have no FACTS about 2010. You have nothing to add to the conversation. SO SHUT UP!
Bulldog59
June 25th, 2010
9:18 pm
Chazzo, DawginLex, etal, you all raise some good points.
As for Harold, anyone that can’t figure out the CapsLock key on their keyboard or phone, certainly can’t understand SEC football. Personally, I don’t know how old he is physically, but mentally, I’m guess 10 to 12 max.
As for Tim Tucker’s question at hand, our thoughts on the DBs? Superior talent is there, as it has been almost every year since I attended (and yes later graduated) in the early 80s. The difference this year is, vastly superior coaching and work ethic. Lakatos and Grantham will have them performing at a very high level.
RED DOG 77
June 26th, 2010
1:23 am
BuLLdawg……….While I disagree with your take on the 2010 UGA offense, Son, you are starting to make some logical points. I also disagree that we play a ” soft, easy ” schedule………Now really BuLLdawg, South Carolina, then Arkansas………in the first three weeks of the season ? South Carolina always plays us tough, because we play them early. They usually don’t have the depth to continue playing good football after the 5th or 6th game, thus they begin to fold, but not week two, hell early they are capable of beating anyone in the SEC !………and Arkansas ? soft? easy ? Hell no they are not even close to being “soft”…….There are alot of bright college football minds that are saying “watch out ” for Arkansas in the SEC west, and I for one agree ! As for the defense, I agree, we will be pretty dern tough to move the ol tater on, the talent is there, the coach is top notch, but more importantly, I believe coach Todd Grantham has created a little “Chemistry” ………and you and I both have seen alot of good college football play come out of the teams that have that “it”, or in other words “Chemistry ” working for them……IMHO, chemistry is the key to championship calibre college football. Oh and by the way, on the subject at hand, the defensive backs, they will be the strength of the D., especially with the pressure I believe Houston and Washington will be putting on the other guys QB……………….GO DOGS………..Regards, RED
BuLLdawg
June 26th, 2010
4:04 am
QUOTE
by
AltamahaDawg
June 24th, 2010 4:51 pm
“The attitude was bad, and the execution was worse.”
Pretty much 2009 in a nutshell.
2009 just seemed like the shadow of 2008 to me. Bad vibes all around.
And if you think about it, why should we have been excited coming into the season last year? Lost your big star players, the talent level not where it should have been, an unpopular staff, and a Head Coach having to spend his energy defending everybody from top to bottom, and some serious legitamate [SIC] problem areas on the field that would have been a drag despite none of the above.
2010 … this season … even if the record isn’t much different.
END Miss-debbie-downer-AltamahaDawg
.
.
God Almighty Above, Miss-debbie-downer-AltamahaDawg
1. Attitude bad on the team
2. Execution bad on the team
3. The whole season 2009
4. 2009 SHADOW of 2008, when we played 3 games teams lost all
5. That covers 2008 season
6. 2007 beat 1 team, a 4-loss team, that’s it
7. 2006 lost 4 games no QB prepared
8. 2009 lost 5 games no QB prepared
9. 2010 now you say is going to be same 8-5 record
10. Playing soft easy schedule with only # 5 Florida
11. Coach Richt have to defend whole staff all players
12. Talent level not there
13. Serious problem areas with players on the field
Miss-debbie-downer-AltamahaDawg
BuLLdawg
June 26th, 2010
4:14 am
RED DOG 77
You say I am starting to make some logical points, but you don’t cite any of them.
And, I don’t see a post by me in this blog – do you ?
chazzo
June 26th, 2010
5:12 am
As per soft schedule comments: UGA has a softer schedule than the last two years that is for sure. There is no easy schedule in the SEC. I’m not taking the time to do it, but I would be interested to see which SEC champs drew the easier teams in the other division the year they won in Atlanta. I know the Chris Leak led Gators drew the tough West opponents. In fact, I said at the beginning of the season if they run it they will win the NC. They ran it. That was one of the best teams in NCAA history as was last year’s Bama team. Of course, UF does not play Auburn every year anymore. So, they never play Bama, LSU and Auburn in addition to UGA, USC, and UT. Georgia did in 2008 (sub UF for UGA). Last year the dawgs did not play Bama, but made a rival of themselves in addition to playing fairly tough out of conference teams comparably speaking.
Kasey
June 26th, 2010
9:24 am
At corner, you have Boykin, who’s 41 inch vertical is legendary, watch his slam dunk highlight reel on youtube. Boykin will start at one corner, and will develop into a great player. I look for him to lead the SEC in interceptions in 2010.
The other corner will be a battle between Cuff, Smith, and Love. Cuff can motor at 4.29 40 speed, top 25 ranked CB. Branden Smith was the #2 ranked CB in the country, can fly, and has a 37 inch vert. Smith was also ranked the #1 athlete and had 5 td’s on ko/punt returns in high school. Jordan Love is a guy to watch for, 37 inch vert, was recruited pretty hard by Florida, SC, Louisville & Penn St–those teams can play some defense.
We need speed & vertical at corner, have plenty there.
So CB looks like:
Boykin
Cuff, Smith, Love
We’ll end up with the 2 best athletes at CB: Boykin & Smith.
Kasey
June 26th, 2010
9:30 am
Safety is solid.
you got Nick Williams & Rambo, then Jakar & Ogletree.
Nick looked awesome on G-Day, he’ll end up starting if he keeps that up.
Ogletree is the tallest 6′ 3”, and best defensive back we have, he has to get on the field, #1 ranked safety in country.
A lot of talent at Safety.
Gonna be Ogletree on one side, an either Nick or Rambo on the other.
I-DOG
June 26th, 2010
11:16 am
I shouldn’t have put Rennie in there as a guy who underachieved on the D. He had a great Freshman and Soph season. I don’t think he played up to his capabilities as a Junior, but he certainly met or exceeded expectations during his UGA career.
Dawg Tired
June 26th, 2010
11:57 am
Saban – Is that the same Walmart where the Bamer fans go to see the trophy while shopping for groceries and bug spray and teeth?
Kasey
June 26th, 2010
1:19 pm
Boykin is only 5′ 10” or 5′ 11”, but has a 40+ inch vertical, also has blazing speed. Here’s the video highlights from the slam dunk contest in Florida, which Boykin won, with an amazing slam dunk from the free throw line:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_dFEWYqEUk&feature=fvw
PowerDawg
June 26th, 2010
1:35 pm
No pats on the back for you, BuLLdawg…
Everything you post is negative and derogatory.
You are the Anti-dawg and you $uck.
Go back where you can slime around in like company.
AltamahaDawg
June 26th, 2010
1:43 pm
How funny that you would choose to crop out the part about fan enjoyment. I guess that’s what offended you the most. Big surprise.
Greg
June 26th, 2010
1:57 pm
Georgia has some corners with Deion Sanders-like speed. Wish Deion owuld mentor one of these CB’s about how to be a great CB and a great returner, maybe Boykin, or Branden Smith.
AltamahaDawg
June 26th, 2010
2:00 pm
(sic)? you actually used (sic)? and you wonder why folks call you GTech-nerd all the time.
Fog Hog
June 26th, 2010
2:00 pm
2010 the year of Branden–makin da noise, on offense, defense, and special teams. Branden has Percy Harvin talent, needs to learn how to protect the football, if he can, gonna be da playmaker in da prime time.
Z-Town
June 26th, 2010
2:03 pm
Cuff & Boykin both got most improved players on defense in the Spring. Guys on fire. Time to shine.