A.J. Green leaves UGA for NFL draft
A.J. Green delivered the long-expected news Sunday: He will forgo his senior season at Georgia and enter the NFL draft.
For months, if not years, the star wide receiver had been expected to leave UGA after his junior season for the riches of pro football. And while he didn’t veer from the predicted course, he insisted that finalizing the decision came harder than many thought it would.
“Throughout the last couple of weeks, it was pretty hectic, just making a sound decision for my family and [me],” Green said from his home in Summerville, S.C.
He said he told Georgia coach Mark Richt of his intention on Friday but added that he wasn’t certain of the decision until Saturday.
Green is generally projected as a top-five NFL pick, with some draft analysts suggesting that Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck’s decision last week to stay in school could put Green in contention to be the No. 1 overall selection.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for me,” Green said. “This is a longtime dream since I was a little boy. I feel like my skills are up to par to make this jump. I feel like I proved myself in one of the best conferences in college football from day one.”
A three-year starter at Georgia, Green ranks third in school history in receptions (166) and receiving yards (2,619) and second in touchdown catches (23). His numbers would be larger if not for injuries that sidelined him for three-plus games in 2009 and an NCAA suspension that cost him the first four games of the 2010 season.
Green was suspended for selling his Independence Bowl jersey for $1,000 to a person the NCAA considered a sports agent.
Now, Green is in position to make tens of millions of dollars from his first NFL contract.
Even so, he said, “it was one of the toughest decisions I’ve made, just leaving the brotherhood I have made at Georgia. . . . I’m going to really miss the guys and the coaches.”
The 6-foot-4, 212-pound Green captivated Georgia fans with his leaping ability and knack for making improbable catches. But the Bulldogs had generally disappointing seasons during his three years, posting records of 10-3, 8-5 and 6-7, respectively, and he expressed regret that the team did not win an SEC championship during his time in Athens.
“It hurts. That’s what I came there for,” he said. “But things happen for a reason. I’ll keep working, and I’ll be a Bulldog for life.”
The Carolina Panthers have the No. 1 pick in the draft, and Green acknowledged it’d be nice to play so close to home. Charlotte is about 200 miles from Summerville.
“I’m pretty sure a bunch of my family and friends could make that trip easily,” he said.
But he isn’t assuming anything. “You never know with that draft,” he said. “It’s going to be a fun process. I’m going to work [to be drafted] as high as I can.”
Richt wished Green well, saying in a statement: “A.J. has made an immeasurable impact on our team over the past three seasons. . . . I’ve enjoyed the blessing of working with him and getting to know his family, and we wish him all the success in professional football. Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog.”
Georgia awaits word from several other juniors who are weighing whether to enter the draft: outside linebacker Justin Houston, cornerback Brandon Boykin and offensive guard Cordy Glenn. Offensive tackle Trinton Sturdivant said Friday that he will stay in school for his senior season.
– Tim Tucker
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325 comments Add your comment
Greg Talley (Ho)
January 9th, 2011
1:49 pm
Who is upset about AJ leaving? Not me.
Dumbo
January 9th, 2011
1:50 pm
Good luck AJ………..now, after seeing again how poorly Reverend Richt is leading the flock (UGA recriuting and coaching) will we have to wait.. Greg McGarity wake up, fire Richt and go get somebody like Brady Hoke. Hoke may not look like the ideal sauve coach, but the man can: 1) Coach 2) Recruit 3) He knows how smooze the big money donors and make the school clubs around the state smile. You put a coach who wants to win, but with discipline and understands that the details do matter, in this state. Well I’ll bet they’ll be howling in Gainesville, Baton Rouge, Auburn and Tuscaloosa in 2 years. FIRE RICHT Now!!!!!!!!!!!!!
kevin
January 9th, 2011
1:52 pm
greg we get it – you don’t like aj. are you a def. back for an sec team? or just stupid? aj isn’t unlike any other college stud junior who was ready to get paid. put yourself in a 20-21 year old’s shoes who’s never had extra cash to even go to a movie, pay for a date, etc. what would you do? stay at georgia with coaches who won’t use you properly, or go get paid and if the nfl doesn’t use you properly, you’re still getting paid?
just a fan
January 9th, 2011
1:52 pm
Why stay he can’t improve his draft status considering he is the consensus number 1 WR not someone that is projected to go towards the bottom of the first round. Thanks for the memories AJ you were a damn good dawg.
Honest investor
January 9th, 2011
1:53 pm
AJ – I’ll give you 20 bucks for your Liberty Bowl jersey. Thanks for everything brother – Good Luck.
LagDawg
January 9th, 2011
1:56 pm
Frank Lane, your such an idiot. Good luck AJ and thanks for the memories. Also, Frank Lane with a great OC he would have accomplished a whole lot more. Most UGA players are better once they enter the NFL. It’s called college coaches that don’t get the full potential out of their players, AKA Richt and Bobo.
sasquatch
January 9th, 2011
1:59 pm
he’s no fool – take the money and run or I will kick your butt.
JBart
January 9th, 2011
2:00 pm
Marlon Brown step up?? Are you kidding.??..MadDawg must have drunk too much eggnog over Christmas.
AJ MAKEN Green
January 9th, 2011
2:01 pm
IM FREE FROM THAT PLANTATION OF UGA… I DONT NEED YALS COUNTRY SLAVE MONEY NOW… FOOLZ
Snoop Dawg
January 9th, 2011
2:01 pm
AJ Green leave a sorry legacy at UGA…
Coach Vince "Coke Head" Dooley
January 9th, 2011
2:06 pm
Looks like he decided to take the money and run.
still@the bar
January 9th, 2011
2:07 pm
AJ ranked in the SEC like 39th, 53rd, and 78th in his 3 years at UGA. He has a lot of upside, but he really didn’t do much at UGA. He was NEVER close to the best receiver in the SEC ever. He single handed cost the DAWGS this year. The EASIEST schedule UGA has ever seen and they go 6-7 because AJ need some cheddar.
Charles Wade
January 9th, 2011
2:08 pm
BYE!!!!!!! All this guy did was waste our time and anyone thinks he is the nest wide receiver in UGA history is an idiot.
Jared E
January 9th, 2011
2:08 pm
He only attended UGA to get to the NFL.
He cared nothing for the University.
I’m glad you’re leaving!
Poleesemenses
January 9th, 2011
2:09 pm
Now he can officially sell his Liberty Bowl jersey!
Chick
January 9th, 2011
2:09 pm
Good riddance. He really never hit his full potential due to injury and his breaking NCAA rules. He will probably be a great pro but never really all that at UGA. Now if Caleb King would just leave…..
Poleesemenses
January 9th, 2011
2:10 pm
By the way, AJ only averaged playing about 9 or 10 games per season while he was here.
suwanee dawg
January 9th, 2011
2:11 pm
get out of town
AJ’s dumb decision making cost UGA the first 4 games of the season.
layinlow
January 9th, 2011
2:11 pm
I wish him the best of luck. But I don’t want to hear people refer to him as a damn good dog. Sorry but he admitted to knowing that the jersy sale was against the rules. He put his team in jeopardy for a quick $1000 bucks and that to me is not a damn good dog. If you factor injuries and suspension time he really only played about 2 years. Kris Durham, now that is damn good dog.
Big Dog 98
January 9th, 2011
2:12 pm
Good riddance.
Yellow Jacket 89
January 9th, 2011
2:13 pm
Just another rat running from a sinking ship.
Dave
January 9th, 2011
2:13 pm
It’s so clear after reading some of the negative comments about AJ that some of you truly have an alterior motive….It’s so hard for some people to ever give a compliment when it’s due. Food for thought.
Coach Paul Johnson
January 9th, 2011
2:14 pm
So?
5IML
January 9th, 2011
2:16 pm
Go to rollbamaroll.com and read the comments regarding the early departures of Dareus, Ingram, and Julio. Compare and contrast those with the comments on this blog. You guys didn’t deserve AJ and don’t deserve success.
Delbert D.
January 9th, 2011
2:19 pm
Green, Jones, Floyd and Blackmon. How do they rank?
BHB
January 9th, 2011
2:19 pm
Complete waste at UGA with Bobo and Richt. Insiders are saying the main reason he is leaving is because of the lack of talent calling the plays and making the game plans
Dawgs Run This State!
January 9th, 2011
2:20 pm
99% of people would do the same thing in his situation (which we don’t know to begin with). Thanks for everything you did AJ. Someone else will step up next year.
JJ
January 9th, 2011
2:20 pm
The guy sold his jersey for extra cash for spring break!
notaDawg
January 9th, 2011
2:22 pm
For : In 2012 the NFL Agreement will probably have a cap for rookies.
It would be hard to get enough insurance to make up for a career-ending injury to a 1st-rounder.
Against : There may not BE a 2011 NFL season, and he might still be subject to the rookie-cap.
He better do well in the Combines, because his game against UCF wasn’t 1st-round-worthy.
sandman053
January 9th, 2011
2:24 pm
Damn Good Dawg! Thanks for everything A.J. and see you on Sundays (if there IS a season next year!)
JE
January 9th, 2011
2:25 pm
Now go out and recruit players that want to play four years for GA. You have to make up your mind if you want to be a minor league team for the NFL or a championship team. I feel certain that our passing game this year suffered because of the emphasis on AJ. Therefore also it cost equal emphasis on the Running Game. If UGA does not get a pair of good running backs that can play and improve along with an OL that can run block first then pass block it will be a long time before UGA is on top again. You have to coach the team up to make the team be a good running and passing team….and also you cannot forget the defense and special teams.
Corninmypooh
January 9th, 2011
2:26 pm
No surprise here.
Best of luck AJ. Once a Dawg, always a Dawg. GATA!
Delbert D.
January 9th, 2011
2:27 pm
I can’t believe I posted that. Broyles, not Floyd. CRS Syndrome.
Old School Dawg
January 9th, 2011
2:34 pm
good riddance. Never was a team guy. Sensational talent and fun to watch but dont need “me” guys like him. Anybody who calls him a damn good Dawg does not understand the meaning of the phrase.
kevindawg
January 9th, 2011
2:39 pm
Good im glad. Georgia will be a better team ( TEAM ) without his a double s
6-7 in 2010 if I recall
January 9th, 2011
2:40 pm
I could care less whether or not he stays or goes. Wouldn’t you rather have a team that competes and wins SEC championships than has #1 draft picks? Oh, how’s Stafford doing in Detroit? Can’t stay healthy and Moreno is more of the same. Georgia is bigger than any 1 player so adios AJ.
Let’s focus on winning football games and championships here guys.
Summit Dawg
January 9th, 2011
2:42 pm
A big loss for us, but, hopefully, for him the beginning of a long, healthy and prosperous future!! You go Dawg!! Good Luck!!!!
falcon
January 9th, 2011
2:44 pm
good luck AJ….just wish the Falcons had a shot at getting you.
Summit Dawg
January 9th, 2011
2:48 pm
JE, we have two good running backs, but it does not matter how good they are if they can’t be allowed to touch the ball more times than BOO BOO gives it to them! Hershel wouldn’t have been
the back he was had BOO BOO been the OC back then! Too much emphasis on Murray and the passing game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Delbert D.
January 9th, 2011
2:49 pm
Got to read this:
http://www.mmbolding.com/bowls/Cotton_1967.htm
With action sequence photos like the Sunday paper used to have.
Speed demon Kent Lawrence, MVP.
Moore to Payne, TD!
George Patton, shotgun QB???
Looking To The Future
January 9th, 2011
2:50 pm
AJ had great talent and skills but i think he didnt live up the his full potential. Dont get me wrong he was a good player. Correct me if im wrong but the only full season he played was his freshman year. Again correct me if im wrong on that one.As for the next level…. if he goes to Carolina…….he cant throw it too himself. But im firm believer that the panthers will be at the same spot next year to pick Luck
BirdDawg24
January 9th, 2011
2:51 pm
I agree with falcon, wish the birds could get him, but he will be a great addition to any team. I just hope its in the AFC. lol…. Dawgs are gonna miss him.
Time for a change!
January 9th, 2011
2:53 pm
Why in the world would he have even thought about coming back? I mean I would love for him to stay for his senior season, but that would just be retarded. Why would he want to come back to what is sure to be another mediocre season when he can go pro and bank some money!! No Brainer there!
MsBulldawg84
January 9th, 2011
2:55 pm
Hey AJ, Would you like to sell that Liberty Bowl jersey? LOL….good luck, you are a fine young man and I wish you the best in the next phase of your career. Do UGA proud by coming back and finishing your degree someday.
59bulldawg
January 9th, 2011
2:56 pm
Should be a rule that you can’t be a bulldawg for life unless you graduate. But I will miss you AJ! You gave us your all in every game you played. Thanks for the memories!
Nothing Lost
January 9th, 2011
2:57 pm
He might as well, Georiga’s offense can’t score, can’t block, and needs the field goal kicker to out score the opposing team just to win!! Go A.J. wish you well!!!
Cy Young
January 9th, 2011
2:59 pm
Being a Dawg, I am very happy for AJ. I am sure that he will be the first WR taken in the draft. He should be selected in the top 10.
Thanks,
http://www.the404list.com
Nothing Ventured Nothing Gained
January 9th, 2011
3:01 pm
Not First, crap I’m a little late but step on out A.J. Green, get your payday and laugh at the NCAA all the way to the bank. Just keep this in mind, you won’t be getting a championship ring any time soon at Georgia. LOL
Sun Devil Dave
January 9th, 2011
3:03 pm
Note to C.M.R. Tempe is quite nice in the Winter.
The Truff
January 9th, 2011
3:03 pm
@Ron = “Thug” has become the new N-word. You suck dude.