Freshman LB rejoins UGA team four days after quitting
(From AJC correspondent Andy Johnston in Athens:)
Dexter Morant, the freshman linebacker who quit the Georgia football team on Tuesday, rejoined the Bulldogs today.
Coach Mark Richt said Morant called him on Friday and asked if he could return to the team.
Richt said he conferred with defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and the senior players before agreeing to let Morant return.
Morant participated on a limited basis in today’s practice.
Morant, a 6-foot-7, 240-pounder from Manning, S.C., signed with Georgia in February. He did not practice Monday, the Bulldogs’ first day of preseason camp, and told Richt the next day that he was leaving the team.
But since then, Richt said today, Morant had sent text messages to several players indicating he made a mistake by leaving.
Coming out of high school, Morant was rated the nation’s No. 15 defensive-end prospect by Rivals.com, No. 44 by Scout.com and No. 73 by ESPN.com. He projects as an outside linebacker in Georgia’s 3-4 defensive scheme.
In other news today, wide receiver Rantavious Wooten has a sprained left knee. Richt said he expects Wooten to be sidelined for a couple of weeks.
For more on Morant’s return and other notes from Saturday’s practice, click here.
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186 comments Add your comment
Paul in RDU
August 7th, 2010
9:40 pm
Nice move on Richt’s part asking the senior players on the team whether they were OK with him coming back and kudos to the players for saying yes.
I hope that Morant does well at UGA. It’s going to be interesting to see whether any of the people who called him a quitter on the blogs last week welcome him back.
the grey(shirt) tide
August 7th, 2010
9:42 pm
Hey, toilet roll. Better keep an eye on your own guy’s integrity (or lack thereof).
BS Patrol
August 7th, 2010
9:46 pm
To my coach to quit was to be a loser. Winners never quit. To miss one day was off the the team.(except for his pets.) Major SOB.
Duluth Dawg
August 7th, 2010
9:47 pm
Tide Roll,
You are so stupid you must not have a high school education or a full set of teeth (like your Mom who is a Waffle House waitress). Your supposition about Bean and Richt is just dead wrong. Bean went to Hargrave. He was the #1 lineman in Georgia his senior year. Everybody wanted him and no one could have kbown the depth of the problem until he got on campus. Bean is a super kid, very hard worker and strong as bear’s breath. He is going to make a great nose tackle, and you will be eating your words.
BTW, when Saban retires in 2-3 years, Scott Cochran (your S&C coach) is probably coming to Athens. Like I said, you need to worry about your own team. Will Marcel Dareus be eligible? How many games will he miss? Who has Julio been fishing with lately?
Confused
August 7th, 2010
9:48 pm
Could someone please translate what Festus is saying ?
Nashville4UGA
August 7th, 2010
10:01 pm
Tide Roll, before you go attacking Richt take a look at how Saban over signs then MAGICALLY gets down to the 85 scholarship limit each fall by dismissing kids. Talk about ruining a kids future. At least Anderson and Tripp are still on the team.
Sigmund
August 7th, 2010
10:12 pm
Tide Roll has serious abandonment issues. It was either his mommy or daddy, or maybe his little girlfriend in high school who bailed on him, but now he is taking it out on everyone who reads this UGA blog.
TruDawg
August 7th, 2010
10:12 pm
UGA Bill and all you other skeptics have no memory, or a short one. Numerous college “kids” away from home for the first time get homesick and make some bad decision. Mike “moonpie” Wilson went home to Gainesville several times his Frosh year. I bet all of us are glad Coach Dooley was wise enough and patient enough to take Moonpie back. I would say he turned out to be a great player and productive citizen.
Dawg Whisperer
August 7th, 2010
10:17 pm
Tide Roll should use that toilet paper to good use because I’m thinking he is full of it.
Paul in RDU
August 7th, 2010
10:21 pm
Confused @9:48 Festus was interviewed on TV in Huntsville, AL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxGuig7pxvw&feature=related
Dap01
August 7th, 2010
10:25 pm
Great decision. You will be proud that you stayed.
Georgia Sweetness
August 7th, 2010
10:27 pm
Found a little Georgia sweetness over the last week and realized there are a lot of benefits being a Georgia Player. Settled the boy down, now he can play…
Best looking coeds in the nation….
clickdawg
August 7th, 2010
10:32 pm
delbert I totally agree, total different situation in the military, though i’m proud that he’s back and wish him well. This life is tough at times and you have to battle through it, I can’t count the times i wanted to go home from basic training in 1982.
The Exterminator
August 7th, 2010
10:37 pm
I used to think ‘Bama fans handled themselves with class.
Used to.
You know, for an Auburn boy, that Tim Hudson is all right.
Go Dawgs.
tampadawg86
August 7th, 2010
10:42 pm
Does anyone know why he Left in the first place?
S.E. Dawg
August 7th, 2010
10:48 pm
I believe Dexter had what is called Culture Shock. From a small town and going through his everyday normal routine ever since childhood, then all of a sudden everything around him is different and out of his comfort zone. Glad he decided to give it another shot.
gk
August 7th, 2010
10:50 pm
i don’t blame any of these kids for feeling frustrated and wanting to quit sometimes. they have football shoved down their throats every day. it is refreshing that maybe he wanted to concentrate on something else. i hope he becomes all-american at UGA, but the most important thing is that he becomes happy and productive in the future.
M.
August 7th, 2010
10:50 pm
That’s basketball stats right there. Maybe a good safety?
jp
August 7th, 2010
10:54 pm
tide roll ,It sounds like you graduated at the top of your class at Alabama with a 1.999.You and ignorant people like you give the South a bad name. Richt seems fake ?.Coach has 2 adopted children from Ukraine .One that is very badly disabled.Does that seem fake.Has Saban ever switched a player . You should know the list is long. Many O and D line players switch because they can help their teams.Richt will win his 100th game this year in his 10th season.Do you think he did this by being fake. He also has a 3 and 1 record vs bama is that fake. I bet they tought you your times tables up to 5 you at Alabama.Alabama is the arm pit of the South and it produces people like you that should be on an add for birth controll. If you are going to show such ignorance,please ask your friends to read your posts before sending them in .That is if any of them can read.
dawgster
August 7th, 2010
10:56 pm
are there any Bama fans on here that have the guts to tell this “Tide Roll character to shut up and how he is an embarrassment to your school…I mean his post are always the same, never says anything that amounts to the least amount of sense…Come on, tell him how stupid he sounds Bama fans…I think he has another agenda and wants to stir the pot…I know as dawg fans and bama fans we don’t always agree, and thats ok, but this guy is a joke…i’m not even sure why i am wasting my time responding to his posts…Step up to the plate Bama and take this guy down a notch or two…
GADAWG88
August 7th, 2010
10:57 pm
Did any of yall see the Under The Lights Georgia mat drill episode tonight? I thought it was very insightful and really got me pumped for some football! GO DAWGS!!!!
Smiling Jack
August 7th, 2010
10:58 pm
Festus doesn’t even know what he was writing. How could anyone else translate. And Bill hasn’t even been around the corner from his house to say the least have any empathy for a homesick kid. The comments here are petty and mean spirited. Glad we have coaches who know what they are doing and have a grip on real like.
Smiling Jack
August 7th, 2010
10:59 pm
real life, sorry about that
More Attitudes
August 7th, 2010
11:00 pm
Great—another attitude case in the locker room. He’ll probably be demanding a bunch of early playing time, or threaten to leave again. Richt needs to tell him to hit the road–go to Tech, they’ll take anyone.
Smiling Jack
August 7th, 2010
11:00 pm
So I didn’t proof read the first comment…Go Dawgs!
luke08
August 7th, 2010
11:33 pm
I really hate tech! good night.
DP
August 7th, 2010
11:50 pm
Bama grad and fan here. Tide Roll is an embarrassment, we’ve all got them in our fan bases. I wonder if he is really dumb enough to believe he’s a better judge of who should be starting on the offensive line than the Georgia coaches who work with all the offensive linemen every day or if thinks speaking like he’s an authority will fool somebody into thinking he is one.
I have questioned whether Mark Richt has been a little too soft and allowed his team to become a little less disciplined on and off the field the last couple of years, but I’ve never questioned his character.
Bamadog
August 8th, 2010
12:00 am
Dawgnation. As a native of Athens, GA every team has idiot fans with no class. My apologizes on behalf of the Bama Nation for Tide Rolls Behavior. You have a Class Act in Richt. RTR
HugoStiglitz
August 8th, 2010
12:02 am
That was a quick turn around. Kid got confused and made a mistake. No harm in letting him come back. He isnt the first to question things when he is unhappy and he wont be the last. Im sure he now realizes that in the long run this is what is going to be best for him and what is eventually going to make him happy.
RED DOG 77
August 8th, 2010
12:12 am
Tide Role…………First, to you young man, yes, you are absolutely right !…….Coach Mark Richt decided when he took the UGA job, the first thing he wanted to do is screw-up his players chances to be good college football players !………Tide Role. you are without any doubt the dumdest twit I have ever read on these blogs, bar none…….you even out-do my favorite little bummer “BuLLdawg”…………Perhaps you and “BuLLdawg” should start your own blog……..yea, great idea ! the two of you can go back and forth having a really great time out-smarting each other while the rest of us discuss intelligent ideas. Think about it, I really believe you two are “right” for each other……..with my warmest Best Regards, RED
RED DOG 77
August 8th, 2010
12:21 am
Dexter Morant……..I believe that is the story, to me showed us all a great deal of courage ! When was the last time those of you who are critical of the young man, decided to man-up when you made a mistake ?……….This young man has more courage than most of the adults who post on these college football sites !………….Welcome Home Dexter Morant………Me ? I already see you as a Damn Good DOG………..Now GATA……….SIC’ ‘EM ……WOOF……..WOOF……..WOOF !!!!!!!
RED DOG 77
August 8th, 2010
12:28 am
Bamadog……….You my friend are a “class act “………and yup, we’ve got ours too ! cheers Bamadog…..Regards, RED
superDawg
August 8th, 2010
12:29 am
Damn whats up Dawg!
Im Just Saying....
August 8th, 2010
12:41 am
He must of read the news about ugump being the number one party school.
Dexter was quoted in saying “I..umm…likes to..umm…party…umm…can I come backs to da team coach”.
Dawg '88
August 8th, 2010
12:59 am
Im Just Saying…
You were quoted as saying: Googoo gaga…Googoo gaga…I want my mommy. Googoo gaga…Googoo gaga…Da Da! I want my wollipop! Pwease let me go to Georgia Wreck….I like to suck…just like they do!
Im Just saying…How old are you? Your answer…Holding up 8 fingers. Then saying…”out of 9″!
Mommy and Daddy keep saying that so I guess Im that many wears old. But then again…they keep mumbling 30-24…King Right….30-24…Ealey Left…UGHHHHHHHHHHH!
dawgfan0711
August 8th, 2010
1:06 am
Tide Roll——The Blogs would be alot better without your stupid comments. Does Alabama not have a place for you to put up your stupid a** comments?? I’ve been reading your blogs about Anderson, and Tripp for too long now. Unless your related to them, i’m not sure how you could know how they felt about the move. Could it be that they are team players and want to do what’s best for the team. Richt may not be the best coach in the country but I can’t believe that anyone would ever say he doesn’t care for his players and try to do what’s best for them. And oh yea, as far as Dexter Morant returning to school. I think it’s great, it would be different if he was a jr or sr leaving the team but he was probably home sick and i think most all of the kids go through that at some point and the senoirs were ok with it. If the coach and players are ok with it then i don’t see where anyone else can act like it is wrong. They know the kid and i doubt any of the people blogging does. Roll Tide do us all a favor and stay off GA blogs. Thanks Bama Dog, and your right everybody has some.(idoit fans)
BigCaliDawg
August 8th, 2010
1:09 am
Somebody send that kid an on-campus girlfriend, quick.
Tennessee never had these problems.
dawgfan0711
August 8th, 2010
1:10 am
Im Just Saying… I doubt you would have the courage to speak to Dexter Morant the way you blog about him, I’m just saying………………………
Bill
August 8th, 2010
1:22 am
It’s easy to criticize someone, but it’s all for naught ! No one knows this guys situation, and I hope he stays around long enough to prove everyone (critical) that they were wrong. Dexter, I don’t know you at all, but I’m glad you’re back, and I hope you know how many people applaud you for coming back. A wise person once said ” You can eat an Elephant, one bite at a time “……
Hunker Down
August 8th, 2010
1:33 am
Welcome back home Dexter,
Glad you are back on board. We love you and we need you. Good luck and God bless!
Big D Dawg
August 8th, 2010
1:45 am
where’s the days to football kickoff countdown on the AJC sports site?
iam dawg
August 8th, 2010
2:06 am
would you rather have him or not?
12-2
August 8th, 2010
2:16 am
# 21 is the dead last worst preseason ranking for The UGA Bulldogs in the entire Coach Richt Era. In fact, Georgia has been ranked no worse than # 14 in any USA Today Coaches’ Poll since Coach Richt took over the program a few days before the Signing Class of 2001.
Preseason Polls are a starting point and we have been ranked variously # 19 Phil Steele # 24 # 21 # 25 # 15 and Not Ranked at all in the Sporting News
bitter "tide roll"
August 8th, 2010
3:14 am
fart, let me have a moment while i smell, thisin a goodin, you wont to no why me trailer door stays open, because my folks like fly’s on there food adds flavor dont yaaaaww no, well i have boggers to plaw out of me noes, wait just a minute my cuson just drop them draws, he is my favorite!!!!, go tide, get coach bear
Notso Fast
August 8th, 2010
4:54 am
You have to love Coach R in times like this. First he didn’t say anything negative about him leaving which helps in someone deciding they made a mistake. They way he works with people makes you wonder if someday he will be a better AD than he is a Coach and he is not a bad Coach.
12-2
August 8th, 2010
5:09 am
Yes, Coach Richt is Great with People. There is no doubt of that. However, our Defense is excellent this season; and where he needed to work on his people skills was in DISCIPLINE and in FIRING coaches, such as his dealings with Willie Martinez and Mike Bobo. Why did he KEEP Willie so long ? Why is he STILL holding on to Mike Bobo ? Why was Branden Smith not suspended for BUYING the alcohol with Vance Cuff’s ID ? Why was Vance Cuff not suspended for PROVING his ID for 7 to pile in a truck for the sole purpose of driving around Athens to GET DRUNK ? Why was Tavares King only suspended for 1 game, getting all these 7 people together for the sole purpose of driving around in his truck to go GET DRUNK ?
Great with people is double-edged in Coach Ricth’s case. Yes, he is Great with People, however, he is forgiving to a fault and loyal to a fault. The kids take advantage of his good nature and great treatment of them. Witness : # 1 in Fulmer Cup Standings for the Most Arrested / Suspended on any football team in America.
12-2
August 8th, 2010
5:29 am
Leather Helmet Dog writes this morning about soft out-of-conference scheduling for Georgia Bulldogs through the recent years.
THIS is totally missing the POINT. The Problem with Georgia is NOT soft-of-conference scheduling recently, but the FACT that Georgia is ONLY 10-10 IN-CONFERENCE-IN-OUR-OWN-DAMN DIVISION the last 4 years, and of all The SEC East teams we play – NONE were any good whatsoever.
12-2
August 8th, 2010
5:30 am
Except Florida the last 4 years.
12-2
August 8th, 2010
5:30 am
DISNEYdawgs.com Leather Helmet Dog
Boses
August 8th, 2010
6:00 am
Welcome back Morant. Leaving home is one of the hardest things you can do. Hope you stick with it.