Sturdivant says he’ll pass on NFL draft, return for senior season
Georgia junior offensive tackle Trinton Sturdivant, who had been considering early entry into the NFL draft, announced Friday that he will remain in school for his senior season.
Sturdivant was a freshman All-American in 2007, then missed almost all of the 2008 and 2009 seasons because of knee injuries before returning to action in 2010. He started seven games during the Bulldogs’ disappointing 6-7 season.
“This last season is not how I wanted to end my career,” Sturdivant said in a statement. “I want to be part of a team that gets us back on track and plays for a championship. I also think I can improve my draft status and continue to work on finishing my degree.”
Coach Mark Richt said “we’re obviously excited” by Sturdivant’s decision. “He’ll be an important part of our team.”
– Tim Tucker
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153 comments Add your comment
DAWG258
January 7th, 2011
4:32 pm
1st
Einsteindawg
January 7th, 2011
4:32 pm
First and great decision……………Go Dawgs!
DAWG258
January 7th, 2011
4:32 pm
I hope AJ follows suit
LakeDawg
January 7th, 2011
4:33 pm
Nice pick up. Now if Uga can only coach him up.
romedawg
January 7th, 2011
4:34 pm
everyone is looking for a freshman savior for next year. It will be the leadership of the juniors and seniors that will determine how the dogs season turns out next year
Bulldawg Richie
January 7th, 2011
4:35 pm
Good decision for him. Hopefully Justin Houston will stay also. He is a big key on defense.
supsalemgr
January 7th, 2011
4:35 pm
As much as I would like for AJ to stay, he has to go. Being a Top 5 pick gives too much guranteed money to walk away. The purpose of college is to prepare for a successful career. Starting out with $25M is a pretty good start.
sandman053
January 7th, 2011
4:36 pm
I think Sturdivant will have a much better year this year and of course he should stay…who would draft anyone off our line? Not like they opened any holes or anything?
Lowcountry Bulldawg
January 7th, 2011
4:38 pm
Wise move, it can only benefit him really. Stay healthy and in his 2nd season post ACL he can come out and be a hoss if allowed. He can move from a 2nd day draft pick to easily a 1st day with his skill set.
Also, Insider was mentioning Grantham to Dallas as the DC. Isn’t the buyout for Grantham leaving after 1 season pretty step? Or does it get washed if it is for a DC job in the NFL? Clarity anyone?
Beast from the East
January 7th, 2011
4:38 pm
Great decision, young man. That degree lasts forever!
Vance Duly
January 7th, 2011
4:38 pm
That’s one piece of good news this week, at least!! ……..Long live Uga VIII….!
sandman053
January 7th, 2011
4:40 pm
Yeah bummmed out now about UGA. Hope the little fella kicks this stuff.
johnny too good
January 7th, 2011
4:41 pm
of course he will, his draft stock isnt high enough
http://www.youtube.com/thatsjohnanderson
Gainesville Dawg
January 7th, 2011
4:42 pm
Where are the attacking headlines against Paul Johnson after his press conference???????? I guess you reporters are worn out from attacking Mark Richt!!!!!!!
Dbalcer
January 7th, 2011
4:42 pm
That is great news!
sandman053
January 7th, 2011
4:44 pm
G-ville Dawg…they are still at the circle jerk…give them time then they will write glowing headlines.
girldawg
January 7th, 2011
4:44 pm
Wohoooooooo I am so glad some good news at last! Now if we can hang on to Justin Houston!
truth4u
January 7th, 2011
4:46 pm
My heart goes out to you as I have watched you battle back for consecutive seasons from ACL surgery! You are a man and a Damn Good Dawg to have endured the pain and punishment of ACL therapy. Not sure how many fans know just how excruciating that procedure is… and you did it twice. I have personal experience with that procedure and damn near cried when you stepped on the filed this season. DAMN GOOD DAWG and the Dawgnation is grateful to you for sticking around for the rise of the Dawgnation next season! You will be a big part of it.
Roaddawg80
January 7th, 2011
4:47 pm
Grantham’s buyout is that he may only leave for a head coaching job. Anything lateral no matter where to then he owes like 1.2 million to UGA
GT man here
January 7th, 2011
4:49 pm
All, including UGA’s AD McGarity have concluded that UGA is one gosh awful football team with lousy players, very weak players and selfish kids, and even worse coaching. Right?
Um, ah, um ……..where does that leave GT who has lost 9 times in 10 tries to Mark Richt’s football squads?
DAWG258
January 7th, 2011
4:49 pm
Reminder, I was 1st! hahaha
DAWG258
January 7th, 2011
4:50 pm
No at-a-boy Tim???? goshhhh
nerds! nerds! nerds!
January 7th, 2011
4:54 pm
What a thug!
CONservative Johnson
January 7th, 2011
4:55 pm
Isn’t it time for Georgia to at the very least find a new breeder that isn’t sending them sick dogs? They should have switched to an American Bulldog a long time ago anyway . . .
Billy Jack
January 7th, 2011
4:56 pm
@supsalemgr you think..??? these people sayig AJ should stay make me LOL
Ron Burgundy
January 7th, 2011
4:57 pm
I find this story compelling and rich….now if we can get Ealey to stay that will be two mediocrwe players not jumping!
bigdawg88
January 7th, 2011
4:57 pm
The only surprise here was that he was actually considering going, or that anyone thought he’d actually go. Two blown knees and barely started in two years…. yeah the NFL will be beating down his door.
Good to have you back Sturdivant. Keep working and getting better. Praying for you bruh.
The NFL will come running next year.
GATA THIS YEAR!!
Bremen Dawg
January 7th, 2011
4:58 pm
Glad he is coming back, I just don’t think he ever go back to 100 percent. He will be a hoss next year and will be the best OL.
dawgster
January 7th, 2011
5:00 pm
@Gainesville Dawg…agree with you 100% on the headlines comment
bigdawg88
January 7th, 2011
5:01 pm
…and another thing… If Dallas wants Grantham you really think a $1.2M buyout will even give Jones pause? Maaan, y’all crazy!! He’d pay that and think “Man, what a bargain!”
Hate to see Grantham go though, but not that much. I’m not all that high on him, but I don’t know that much about coaching defense anyway.
Preston
January 7th, 2011
5:03 pm
Good for Trinton! We’ll need your leadership and skills next season. You’re all Dawg and we love you for it!
RxDawg
January 7th, 2011
5:03 pm
Welcome back Trint
Lowcountry Bulldawg
January 7th, 2011
5:04 pm
Yeah if its a 1.2 mil buyout Jones will not even blink and eye. This on the hills of Diaz taking the Texas job. Could be another trying time for Richt in finding a DC to take the job. Went to his possible 4th option last season? Now coming off a 6-7 season and every single person w/ a brain realizes the pressure Richt is facing heading into 2011, what kind of quality DC will walk straight into the fire that is this program right now?
King Gator
January 7th, 2011
5:06 pm
Buy the insurance for your last college season, especially with the prior injuries.. and get a degree and don’t sell your Liberty Bowl ring… scratch that last one. Go Gators!
Dr. Phil
January 7th, 2011
5:06 pm
I’m not so sure that Murray is happy about Sturdivant hanging around. He spent most of the Auburn game on his backside.
David
January 7th, 2011
5:08 pm
We will be back next year under Coach Richt’s leadership and win SEC and National Title!
DSGB
January 7th, 2011
5:08 pm
You guys on here sound like some whinny biatchzzz!!, put pressure on the boosters and alumni and watch things change. I know most us realize that UGA took a step back and Alabama and Auburn took one forward but watch how UGA get in that behind next year, and watch all the whinny, teet hanging “B’s” on here jump back on the band wagon. GO DAWGS DSGB!!
Billy Jack
January 7th, 2011
5:10 pm
@ Tim Tucker can you post Fran Tarkenton’s rant today from 680 The Fan….good stuff….
icedawg
January 7th, 2011
5:11 pm
Good on ya Trinton. I hope this next year will far surpass your greatest expectations, academically and athletically.
Paul N Destin
January 7th, 2011
5:12 pm
Trinton needs to drop some pounds and perhaps he could move just a little quicker. If not then he will never play in the NFL. Those NFL defensive lineman will eat his lunch.
Einsteindawg
January 7th, 2011
5:14 pm
@ConJohnson…the problem with these dogs is the in-breeding to produce a pure white. Just imagine propogating with your sister, and your sister’s daughter to produce your identical twin. I think UGA should use the $ sign as their mascot as this is what drives them.
LakeDawg
January 7th, 2011
5:17 pm
If UGA wins the SEC East next year, I’ll be back on that bandwagon. If they lose, I’ll be a big critic. Its all about performing to the potential of the program. If they don’t do it, then I’ll bitch. Anything else DSGB?
Murphy
January 7th, 2011
5:18 pm
Congrads Trinton. Hope you do well in 2011
BigDawg
January 7th, 2011
5:19 pm
Hopefully next headline will say – Green, Houston and Boykin say they will pass on NFL draft, return for senior season because last season is not how they wanted to end their career. They want to be part of a team that gets us back on track and plays for a championship
Murphy
January 7th, 2011
5:19 pm
Billy Jack,
What did Fran rant on? Didnt catch it-Live out of state
dawg2
January 7th, 2011
5:22 pm
Richt passes on draft will stay at UGA………..
LakeDawg
January 7th, 2011
5:23 pm
Murphy…..Fran ranted on the state of the program and all that entails including CMR. He is not a happy camper. It was very interesting. Of course he fits the description of a “bandwagon” fan for some on here.. LMAO
Bad Dog
January 7th, 2011
5:24 pm
Link to Fran’s rant on 680. http://www.stationcaster.com/player_skinned.php?s=87&c=671&f=66449
Brooksdawg
January 7th, 2011
5:26 pm
No rhyme or reason here but…The Dawgs will win the east next year–I do think the fire will be back in Athens—as long as Grantham doesnt leave…then we will start over on defense.
dougmo2
January 7th, 2011
5:35 pm
So UGA VIII has cancer. Even the mascot doesn’t want to be associated with this program.