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
Dad Burnit
January 10th, 2011
8:42 am
he has great hands and leaping ability, good balance and good moves. He had no help around him at all. He needs to put on about 20 pounds of muscle or he’s gonna get cracked in half. Best of luck from a Tech fan.
Common Sense
January 10th, 2011
8:43 am
Thanks AJ for the flashes of brilliance and not so much for your idiot move earlier this year.
Sorry Dawgs, we’ve officially re-entered the Eric Zeier era.
Lots of promise and nothing to show for it.
Im sick of Richt and his slide over the past 4 years.
I’m sick of Joe Tereshinki starting ahead of Stafford.
I’m sick of Moreno sitting a whole darn year to play while we experiment with other backs.
I’m sick of Richt playing favorites with “coaches” like Martinez.
I’m sick of Damon Evans.
Hell, I’m sick of kicking field goals on 4th and 1 against UCF.
What shred of football MANHOOD left in Mark Richt was officially taken from him on that decision.
No fire-no guts
We didn’t attempt ONE fake punt or field goal ALL YEAR LONG. No guts no glory no wins either.
People at UGA better wake up and start living like they want to WIN football games. We are pretending right now.
And I’m sick of pretending.
In_the_cellar
January 10th, 2011
8:45 am
The rats are abandoning the sinking ship! Thanks for all the jerseys you sold. It made some very happy.
ericMann
January 10th, 2011
8:48 am
Thanks for the memories, A.J. you’ve did yourself a favor, get out while the gettins’ good, out of the worse football program in the SEC, there I said it and until I see vast improvements, Go Ducks! I hate Auburn…
mark
January 10th, 2011
8:50 am
Enter your comments herewish he could talk sturdevent & glenn into leaving those guys are pittiful i’d rather have true freshman, and why haven’t they let caleb king go yet? he can’t abide by the rules so let’s get some that can
Dad Burnit
January 10th, 2011
8:51 am
I like the deal that the Service Academies have. You leave OR get kicked out, you pay the $.
Georgia | MrSEC.com
January 10th, 2011
8:52 am
[...] surprise here: Georgia receiver AJ Green will head to the NFL, possibly as the league’s top draft pick in April.The junior wide receiver teased Dawg fans [...]
Fussbudget
January 10th, 2011
8:57 am
UGA – where 4 & 5 stars (so called) go to completely fizzle out. Should have made Richt the AD when they had the chance. That would have solved a LOT of problems.
jbeggs
January 10th, 2011
9:04 am
Good decision by him but an earlier $1000 decision cost us 4 potential victories this year so forgive me if I don’t fall over myself thanking him for his 2 1/2 years @ UGA. A hefty donation to UGA out of that signing bonus would go a long way in helping to ease my pain. jes sayin’.
ugadogsfan_365
January 10th, 2011
9:12 am
@fussbudget how do players come to uga and fizzle out? cmr has put over 40 guys in the nfl that ranks in the top5 nationally! have a national championship no, but you cant deny that richt and his staff gets guys ready for the next level thats all that matters with the majority of guys playing football today! if you truly believe guys come to college for anything other that a shot at the nfl you are as bright as gtech fans who believe they have a good program. conf and natl championships are a bonus but the goal is to get to the league!
Atticus Finch, Esq.
January 10th, 2011
9:14 am
If AJ Green is a damn good dawg – then the program has sunk down to the lowest level. Don’t forget 13 arrests. A damn good dawg would be the men of honor who played there and fifnished their commitment. Not some golddigger who had no other intention in coming to Athens than getting to the NFL. Not to mention that he got suspended for 4 games. A good player? Yes. A damn good dawg? Only if this is a harbinger of the way things will be.
ugadogsfan_365
January 10th, 2011
9:15 am
a few typos- “do we have a national championship” and “other than” sorry for the typo i know some people are english professors on here lol
Tom
January 10th, 2011
9:16 am
I wonder if you can sell NFL jerseys?
Dang Blammitt
January 10th, 2011
9:20 am
ugadogsfan_365 – nice sentence structure and punctuation. The stars are falling off between high school and the NFL. Here’s a novel idea for you: HOW ABOUT GETTING THEM READY TO PLAY WHILE THEY ARE AT UGA! SCREW THE NEXT LEVEL! YOU ARE A MORON.
Devil's Advocate
January 10th, 2011
10:01 am
What CMR really said was, “OH, Fiddle Faddle, tomorrow is another day!”
dawgmeister
January 10th, 2011
10:02 am
A.J., I don’t blame you for declaring for the draft. Thanks for all the great plays you made while you was at UGA.
crabapplejoe
January 10th, 2011
10:13 am
Thank God and Greyhound he’s gone…..good luck on getting that elusive (to you) 1000 yard season in the pros…LOL
JuneBaby
January 10th, 2011
10:15 am
Good luck to A.J. Green, may you have a lot of success in the pros. To all the black recruits in the state of Ga., you can see these old dawg fans don’t like you, or anything around you, so do yourselves a favor and go play elsewhere because you’ll be better off in the long run, and the old dawg fans will be satisfied with their white lilly 1960’s throwback teams. You guys should petition GA. Tech to change their offensive system, and philosophy and come play in Atlanta where black folks will appreciate you and your skills. That would be a true dream team, and btw black folks won’t be calling you thugs and and other offensive names. If Paul Johnson could get top recruits he wouldn’t need to run those high school option plays, but could put in a real system instead!
Taylor Wooten
January 10th, 2011
10:25 am
Let me guess…..Rodney Garner recruited this guy? And Wahhh-shaun…and K-leb?
PMC
January 10th, 2011
10:30 am
You go to college, to further your education with hopes that you will be a more skilled, well rounded person.
Green’s best skill is in football. He’s got a chance to be an elite player in the NFL. It’s the best decision for him. Here’s hoping he still finishes his degree, but best of luck to him.
Just ashamed that the best players at Georgia over the last several years never came close to reaching thier potential while at Georgia.
PMC
January 10th, 2011
10:31 am
The UGA football team is remarkably similar to the Georgia Tech basketball team.
Barry Wilson
January 10th, 2011
10:38 am
I am sure that all you Green critics would not rapidly jump at an opportunity to be an instant multi-millionaire. Surely you would wait another year and take the chance of a serious injury. Sure you would……………… if you were all idiots!
If anything Green could have a beef with the Dogs offensive staff that he was not used as often, or as effectively as he should have been. Yet he never complained.
Overall, his career may not have been perfect, but obviously he is a special athlete and other than the bonehead jersey sale deal, he seems to be a good kid. And yes, let’s remember that he is still a kid in many ways.
Best of luck, A.J. You have been a good Bulldog!
Bob
January 10th, 2011
10:42 am
Loyalty isn’t what it used to be!!!
Luck not a good analogy
January 10th, 2011
10:47 am
Luck comes from a family worth millions, from what I have read. He will have no financial worries whether he plays in the NFL or not. Obviously AJ’s family is not in the same boat (yacht) financially. While it is admirable for Luck to return to Stanford, it is not the best thing to do moneywise, considering an injury could cost him tens of millions.
Bob
January 10th, 2011
11:03 am
We might lose every game next year!!! Our Damn Good Dawg has cancer, our star receiver is gone, we’re losing all our top recruits to opponents…. what else could go wrong, crossing my fingers for Crowell!!
JDawg
January 10th, 2011
11:25 am
Something told me AJ would not make this choice. His job is not done here. He did not give us what we gave him. I know……….I know……….but he knows too!!
Billy Bob Mohammed
January 10th, 2011
11:29 am
Not all blacks are thugs. Just the thugs are thugs. It is more of a behavior than a color. And saying UGA wants to be “lilly white” shows what a racist you are.
JDawg
January 10th, 2011
11:31 am
Barry, if he had been over “used” he probably would not be a number. Someone probably would have cleaned his clock in the kicking game.
Go Dawgs!
January 10th, 2011
11:38 am
Luck not a good analogy
January 10th, 2011
10:47 am
Couldn’t agree more! Also I think people forget about PEP(Post-Eligibility Program) that works with student-athletes that leave school early to come back and finish their degrees.
There have been some pretty high-profile stars that have taken advantage of the program and completed their degree:
Shaq, Vince Carter, Champ Bailey, and Herschel Walker just to name a few.
BTW- I think with 30-40 million in the bank, AJ will be able to afford paying for his last year of school.
As far as Andrew Luck is concerned, he should ask Matt Leinhart how turning down being the number 1 pick to come back for his senior year worked out. Jake Locker will probably have a similar story as well.
Anyone who critcizes AJ for taking care of his family is a turd.
Ed F
January 10th, 2011
11:38 am
This is one great reciever. In the Pros maybe He will get a QB that can throw the ball deep so he can prove his ability. A.J. told Stafford throw it as far as you can And I will be there. Matthew had never had that kind of reciever. Cox well he was just trying to get his feet wet at QB. Murry did not have Him around enough till the Pressure was on to Figure it out.
This Was all About Timing. There were a few Deep balls caught that Looked just like what CAN happen for A.J. Over the middle on the run and Jump Balls will be the Icing on the cake to open the deep ball in the Pros.
This is just my opinion of what I saw.
Good Luck. A.J.
Now UGA get that reciever from Valdosta High to fill his place on Roster!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Dawgs!
January 10th, 2011
11:41 am
Bob
January 10th, 2011
10:42 am
Loyalty isn’t what it used to be!!!
Yep fans, coaches, players none are as loyal as they used to be, so what’s your point?
crabapplejoe
January 10th, 2011
11:43 am
@junebaby: A pretty “white” Air Force team beat GT’s coal black defense (and pretty much coal black team) like a rented mule in the bowl game….so, if anything, I think Coach Paul Johnson will be looking to recruit more European Americans this year…LOL
DOGMAN
January 10th, 2011
11:50 am
GOOD LUCK IN THE NFL AND STAY HEALTHY. THANKS FOR YOUR SPORTSMANSHIP.
David Granger
January 10th, 2011
11:56 am
Can’t blame him at all. There’s nothing left for him to prove at the college level, and you can’t criticize a kid for starting his career and getting big bucks to do it. I wish him luck.
Bob
January 10th, 2011
12:06 pm
Loyalty isn’t what it used to be!!
Take it how you read it!!
C. King
January 10th, 2011
12:25 pm
Not to worry. I’ll be back next year to rush for 300 yards! I’m 31 and only a red-shirt Junior!
Brad Kirkland
January 10th, 2011
12:32 pm
Good Luck AJ! Goodbye Bobo!
Chris
January 10th, 2011
12:50 pm
AJ thanks for a great three seasons. You are one of if not the best wide out in Georgia history. I can’t wait to see ya on Sundays but if your drafted to the panthers take it easy on my atlanta falcons. Thanks for a great 3 seasons
dawg4life
January 10th, 2011
1:17 pm
Thank you for the memories, AJ! Wish you the best!
GaGator
January 10th, 2011
1:48 pm
Janoris Jenkins just reversed his decision to enter the draft, will return to Gators next season.
http://bleacherreport.com/tb/b7TTj
crossdawg
January 10th, 2011
2:12 pm
Yeah, I sure all those $$ signs made him think a long time. He’s just another thug who says “heck with the team that I say I love so much & give me the dough”. I’m sure he contribute a large sum to UGA also.
My son
January 10th, 2011
2:33 pm
If my son had a shot at professional basketweaving or shooting horse shoes, vs staying for his diploma, I would tell him to get that money and be set for life. Duh. Key word is SET.
Frankly, my son was never great with mowing the lawn or weaving baskets, so he went to college, graduated with honors in business and is now exec with local Alpha firm in IT business, doing big boy financial stuff. Make some nice $$$ too for a slow, white boy with average hands. Great insurance benefits too, even though Obama would TAX him for all that he is worth. Barry Obama will also go after AJ now that he is gonna be making some $$$ and AJ will become a Republican as a result.
Go Dogs and Good luck AJ.
Buck Blew
January 10th, 2011
2:37 pm
he’s the second best WR to ever play at UGA. we all know who number one is…….run lindsay run.
Buck Blew
January 10th, 2011
2:38 pm
UGA fans have a short memory this year. UGA lost to a pathetic Colorado team WITH Green playing.
The lottery
January 10th, 2011
2:41 pm
Today you pass on the lottery for around $12,000,000. Why?? Experts are telling you to wait and you will win MORE in one more year. They really have your interests at heart .. right??
Telling a kid to wait for the NFL is dumb. He can always get that degree. With gimpy knees and a fabulous home on Lake Oconee, driving a fine Range Rover, Benz, BMW or a Ford F 150 red truck to and fro to Athens for a couple of years for that wrap on your degree at age of say 31???? Not a bad way to go with Mom and Dad sitting on YOUR DOCK at Oconee and having no worries. Their only worry would be to ask AJ what he wanted them to cook on his $8,000 poolside bar b q grill when he gets home from college.
THAT is how you look at this and I am a long time Bulldog.
Here is how we do it ...........
January 10th, 2011
2:46 pm
For all of the UGA haters …………..everytime they rant, we ask … Has GT played UGA in basketball yet?? Um, have y’all won any ACC games yet? Y’all are a basketball school, right???
UGA being even moderately respectable in basketball so far is simply more than they can handle.
Soon enough no more GT UGA haters will be on this site.
?houston?
January 10th, 2011
3:08 pm
what about justin houston??????????
understand but feel shafted
January 10th, 2011
3:13 pm
i dont blame him for going pro but i have mixed emotions. he could have been tossed of the team for what he knowingly had done and the team suffered for it. he was lucky they didnt. new defense and qb could have used his help. maybe another win or two. so i dont kiss his a@$ that much and so shouldnt anyone else. he is a dog for life but i have mixed emotions. i guess the best way to put it is…..good luck in the nfl , thanks for the awesome catches……..dont let the door hit you in the a@$!
JuneBaby
January 10th, 2011
3:44 pm
@ Billy “redneck” Bob@11:29am…,I didn’t say UGA wanted to be white lilly, i said old dawg fans want them to be. The school itself realizes it would be at a disadvantage, but its old racist fans(such as yourself) don’t, and those are the ones that’s making all the noise, and . So if you’re going to come at me, get it right before you come! Instead of tagging blacks, you should be tagging your tea party friends. If i call old dawg fans racists, it’s because that’s what they’re showing everyone. And your name shows how much of a racist you are!
tyger
January 10th, 2011
4:04 pm
No more free labor for UGA:
a. No more penniless nights while all about me are getting paid off my work.
b. Now I can take my girlfriend to the movies!!!!
c. No more Natzi Athens cops!