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A.J. Green leaves UGA for NFL draft

12:55 pm January 9, 2011, by Tim Tucker

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

SOS Dawg

January 9th, 2011
7:26 pm

oops….. I meant Liberty Bowl jersey

LLUGA

January 9th, 2011
7:28 pm

Why would he come back…the NCAA suspended him for selling his own property…and he would have to play for an organization (NCAA) that has unfair/unequal/dishonest standards for teams and players…Only an idiot would stay and play college football, when the NFL calls.

5IML

January 9th, 2011
7:34 pm

What else could he have accomplished at UGA? He’s already been to the Independance and Liberty Bowls. That’s as good as its gonna get at UGA.

Dap01

January 9th, 2011
7:57 pm

Hype Buster: What a sad life you must have to be on a blog of a team that you don’t like? Do you have cable? Do you have a job? What about a girlfriend?

George

January 9th, 2011
7:59 pm

AJ was decent impact, 5-3 with him, but that’s not the answer.

Georgia’s got to find the running game, stop trying to throw the ball for 300 yards a game. That’s NOT how you win the SEC.

Look at Auburn this year, Alabama last year, Florida 2 years back, all won it running the ball for bout 250 a game.

Hello Ealey, take this team on your back and let’s see how far we go.

P.S. Richt’s 40-3 when he gets a 100 yard rusher, and undefeated when Ealey gets 100 yards rushing.

12 CRIMINAL CHARGES 7-er-6 wins 6-no-7 LOSSES

January 9th, 2011
8:02 pm

Good riddance!!! Sick of hearing about this over rated, over hyped beanpole!!!

cdawg

January 9th, 2011
8:08 pm

Good luck A.J. and thanks for 2 nice years. Now I’m hoping for an NFL lockout so all these premadonnas can sit on their butts for a year think about how they could still be playing in college. Oh and for a laugh maybe the owners can void all the contracts this year and make them sign new salary restricted rookie contracts next year. Screw ‘em all.

THE TRUTH

January 9th, 2011
8:16 pm

Somehow, someway, this is Nick Fairley’s fault.

Dawghater

January 9th, 2011
8:24 pm

News Flash – EBAY has hundreds of AJ Green autographed jerseys for sale! Buy buy AJ!

dawgfan13

January 9th, 2011
8:28 pm

I know everyone is happy for AJ and rightfully so, but he, Stafford, and Moreno were all three great players at Georgia that never brought a championship. they all left early and if they would have stayed their senior years Georgia would have competed for something special. Three years is enough, but its a shame. Can you say, Georgia is a basketball school now!!!!!!!!!! It certainly looks that way.

Dawghater

January 9th, 2011
8:29 pm

Hey dawgfan13 – I’ll take the bet if AJ stayed UGA isn’t winning any championships including SEC East, SEC or Natonal. Dream On!

robert dixon

January 9th, 2011
8:40 pm

He ran good routs when he was not the main receiver, he will be a good if not great pro, good work habits and pride, Go Dogs, make us proud in the NFL

Hype Buster

January 9th, 2011
8:45 pm

Autograph Jersey (AJ) thinking just doing da duh errrr … Better sell them while someone might buy it. UGAyer of course. Worth a lot huh?

5IML

January 9th, 2011
8:53 pm

Let me get this straight: All of UGA’s coaches stink (from Richt down to the position coaches) but, somehow, AJ is the sole reason UGA finished with a losing record? Incredible (in the true sense of the word)!

5IML

January 9th, 2011
8:57 pm

I remember AJ playing receiver and occasionally returner but, obviously, he coached and played OL, QB, RB, DL, LB, and DB since losing was ALL his fault.

5IML

January 9th, 2011
8:58 pm

AJ,

Read and remember these comments, and mark UGA off the list when deciding where your (future) son will play college ball.

TampaGator

January 9th, 2011
9:03 pm

Hey A.J…….you better hope Janoris Jenkins ends up in another division….or you will be “shut down” in at least two games a year….with Gator Chomps in your face.

A.J.

January 9th, 2011
9:04 pm

Dang, I should have gone to Florida or Bama and I’d have some extra rings.

Mr. Tony Geinzer

January 9th, 2011
9:04 pm

Whoever is stuck with AJ Green is going to be handed a bust. He was more heralded than Julio Jones and Mark Ingram out of High School and he still was not worth a bag of Dog Bones.

Ga Dawg 97

January 9th, 2011
9:07 pm

May have 2 #1 draft picks, but no championships to show for it. This coaching staff must go. Clean house now and go get Gary Patterson!

Fulltime dawgfan

January 9th, 2011
9:07 pm

Only uga fans will have negative comments about a guy making a decision that will change his life and the life of his family! Aj Green does not owe anything to anyone on this blog! If aj decided to stay and got hurt how many of you so called uga fans would be there to help him and his family? Tenn fans packed out neyland stadium to say thank you to eric berry but uga fans b%#ch and moan at aj! Say what you want about gtech fans atleast they support their guys win lose or draw! And you wonder why guys dont want to stay instate! Congrats aj best of luck at the next level!

Dirty Dawg

January 9th, 2011
9:09 pm

Shocking news! And I thought he’d stay…Thanks for nothing AJ!

John Radney

January 9th, 2011
9:10 pm

I knew that all along and I bet a hundred H. Jones goes ahead of him. He has little that he’s actually done.

Ga Dawg 97

January 9th, 2011
9:12 pm

Hey AJ, can you take Richt with you?

cwm

January 9th, 2011
9:25 pm

you chumps think the kids don’t look at the blogs….. they do …… thats why we don’t get some of these kids that want to come to ga dawgs because of you morons who never played any kind of sports but think you know everything….. some of you would change jobs for a dollar raise and then you get mad at kids for leaving for more money than most of us will make for our lifetime … get a grip…. ALSO IF THUG IS YOUR WAY OF REFERING TO A BLACK ATHLETE STOP IT …….. YOU MIGHT AS WELL SAY THE “N” WORD….
LOVE THY NEIGHBOR ….. DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU ………… WORDS TO LIVE BY ….

cwm

January 9th, 2011
9:28 pm

DIRTY DAWG ……. GA DAWG 97 STOP THE HATING ….

Common Sense

January 9th, 2011
9:29 pm

Yawn….another potential losing season upcoming.

Mr Richt, Mr. McGarity will now see you in his office.

Fulltime dawgfan

January 9th, 2011
9:32 pm

For everybody taking shots at aj saying he didnt accomplish anything at uga since he didnt get any championships please tell me what hines ward did at uga what about terrance edwards or brice hunter or fred gibson what did champ bailey do for uga? none of those guys have natl championship rings uga= weakest fanbase in america, they only love you when things are going good!

Ramguy

January 9th, 2011
9:42 pm

AJ Green was the best WR ever at UGA the moment he first stepped on the field. The people who are slamming AJ have the same football mentality has the people who used to say that Deion Sanders wasn’t that good.

MC Mann

January 9th, 2011
9:44 pm

Is this a UGA blog, or a UGA football blog? Because the basketball team just beat #11 UK convincingly, and there isn’t a peep about it. Shoot, ya’ll didn’t even cover the game…

DAWG777

January 9th, 2011
9:48 pm

I GLAD HE GONE ,HE ALL ABOUT MONEY, JUST LIKE CAM NEWTON HE WILL ALSO GO PRO $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

Gotta Go

January 9th, 2011
10:00 pm

The fact is that we can underachieve without him. He should have announced 2 weeks ago. We never one anything of significance with him. That can’t be disputed.

Big Dawg

January 9th, 2011
10:51 pm

Frank Lane, what is wrong with you? If he never rose to his potential, why would he be predicted Number 4 Overall, and Number 1 Receiver In The Nation? He’s gonna go Top 5, if not Top 5, maximum Top 10. Frank, you’re probably a GT Fan, or Alabama, or something.

5IML

January 9th, 2011
11:16 pm

Big Dawg,

Frank is not a BAMA fan. We don’t disrespect our former players. Head over to any BAMA blog to read what we have to say about Julio, Ingram, and Dareus. We are appreciative. Not like these wimpering, whining, ungrateful, fair-weather Dawg fans.

5IML

January 9th, 2011
11:19 pm

Unless you are listing the schools that make up the SEC, don’t ever mention UGA football (and fans) in the same sentence as BAMA football (and fans).

CaliDawg

January 9th, 2011
11:37 pm

Thanks for the memories AJ…look forward to watching you in the NFL! Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog!

DawgFan

January 10th, 2011
12:15 am

Who can blame AJ for leaving? Would anyone take a chance on the predictable offense that Bobo calls? Even the mighty Central Florida did not fear our offense throwing the ball. I mean it’s not like we have AJ Green, Kris Durham, T. King, M. Brown, or 2 good tight ends, O.Charles, A. White. I mean come on. We could go up and down the field!!!!!!!!!!!!

bh

January 10th, 2011
12:16 am

hate to see AJ go; but he would be crazy not to go.

Steve

January 10th, 2011
1:06 am

He will need to put on 30-40 pounds of muscle mass to reach his full potential.

I daresay that I think the Dawgs will miss Durham as much or more than Green. He was our best clutch receiver, not AJ. Of course AJ drew extra help, but Durham had his share as well. losing both these guys is a HUGE blow.

Stinger2

January 10th, 2011
2:49 am

AJ leaving is a big loss for UGA. Not as bad as GT losing 4 starters to the draft last year.

Dawg 1

January 10th, 2011
4:58 am

Come on folks. This was a ‘no-brainer’ from the get go. Injuries, etc. He is doing the right thing and everyone should wish him well.

woebegong

January 10th, 2011
6:17 am

Plain and simple, A J was going to go PRO from the day he left high school and he was going to go just as soon as he was allowed to by the rules. If the Bulldogs had been in the big dance and won it all, he would still have gone PRO. What kind of degree would he have received if he had stayed for his senior year? Luck on the other hand, appears to be a student first, player second and he will get a valuable degree to use. The money will still be there when he goes PRO, but he will have a sheepskin worth something as well. It is all about your objective in life. Luck is one of those fortunate to be both a scholar and a fine football player. The two players made the best choice for their own personal conditions and both are right.

Time for a change!

January 10th, 2011
7:21 am

I hate to say it, but Green and Houston are the only two players on this team who are ready to go to the NFL. All those other guys need at least one more year in college before they can even think about going to the NFL.

AltamahaDawg

January 10th, 2011
7:35 am

Do classes start today?

AltamahaDawg

January 10th, 2011
7:35 am

Why do you hate to say that?

ALUM65

January 10th, 2011
7:47 am

We’ll miss him but after the injustice imposed by the NCAA I don’t blame him one bit. I hope AJ has a great career as a pro!

GO DAWGS (as best you can with poor coaching)

Pluto

January 10th, 2011
7:54 am

AJ you go get you some money now and keep getting better. You make all Dawgs proud! Hope you become a Falcon!

NCDAWG

January 10th, 2011
7:55 am

Greg Talley (Ho) has to be a cowardly idiot from GA Tech. What a mindless nut.

Jborodawg

January 10th, 2011
8:25 am

For those of you doubting his ability to do well in the NFL, I believe NFL coaches and evaluators know more about it than you. For those of you casting aspersions because he sold his jersey, it was his jersey; his property. The downfall was the NCAA erroneously claiming he sold it to an agent. At any rate, he paid his dues; unlike some others playing for the school with the initials OSU.

Good luck at the next level AJ! Sorry to see ya go. Damn Good Dawg; we’ll miss ya!

Jborodawg

January 10th, 2011
8:28 am

NCDAWG…I agree with you 100%!

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