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
Dogs Smell
January 10th, 2011
4:29 pm
Is it really a shock? When he used the sale of a jersey as an excuse for taking cash from his agent you didnt see it then? Look for Uga to repeat the same 6-7 in 2011.
draft day
January 10th, 2011
4:38 pm
why come back to the 2011 team—they will be lucky to win 6 games and he might get hurt or suspended by the ncaa for some new made up rule! But, let cam play—that $180,000 “can’t be found!”
dylan
January 10th, 2011
4:46 pm
anyone who has anything bad to say about a.j. is simply upset that he will not come back. he doesnt owe us anything, WE didn’t get him to where he is, he did that himself.
to the people saying a.j. cost us our season, WAKE UP. how terrible is our team when ONE person determines if we are championship worthy or mediocre at best? and if you want someone to blame, blame BOBO, RICHT, AND MURRAY. the UF game easily wouldve been won had our “amazing” R.F. qb thrown the ball to a.j. more than 5 times. OR you could blame the S.C. game on ealy for fumbling on the 1, and the Colorado game on king for fumbling in the redzone. A.J. has hands down been the best receiver in UGA history. ahead of Hines, Brown, MoMass, edwards, and all the others.
good luck in the NFL, and i pray that ATL can somehow find a way to trade up into the top 5 and steal you.
thanks for the great memories and the even greater catches, now go get your well deserved payday!
TO JUNEBABY......
January 10th, 2011
5:03 pm
talk sports not politics. your painting with a large brush talking about the ‘tea party’. someone has to work and make money so others can get theirs from the government. just ignore, many just try to stir the pot. say like tech fans who obviously dont have a blog. lets keep it nice. signed………. evil tea party conservative who knows its not the feds job to make do for me.
oh dylan....,
January 10th, 2011
5:19 pm
he didnt cost them the season, but hurt his team. could have gotten kicked off. they may have at least 1 or 2 more. if he gets kicked off he isnt a top ten pick. drafted well but not top ten. he hurt his team. if you dont think 1 player of a.j.’s caliber should make a difference, ask texas. sometimes it does.
hope
January 10th, 2011
5:22 pm
i’m just hoping that brown and t. king step it up.
harold
January 10th, 2011
5:28 pm
LOOK…..THESE KIDS HAVE TO GO FOR THE MONEY MAN. WHY RISK INJURY THEIR SENIOR YEAR?????GO FOR IT AND DON’T LOOK BACK!!!!
ugaman
January 10th, 2011
5:43 pm
right harold! break and make your own rules! no matter who you step over, screw over, and do. it’s all about the money. and i’m not talkin about a.j..thats what we feel is most important in our world.
Football Bat
January 10th, 2011
5:45 pm
DON’T LET THE ARCH HIT YOU IN THE ARSE ON THE WAY OUT, E. BAY.
Central Fl Dawg
January 10th, 2011
6:24 pm
I have been a life long bulldog fan. All I can say to Green is good bye, and good ridance. You took from Georgia, and gave little in return.
With Green finally gone lets get down to replacing him. Green really had one complete year out of 3 played, (injuries in year ‘09, suspension in ‘10). and never full reaching his potential. Yet how can this guy be considered a #1 pick in the nfl?? Go DAWGS
BigDawg
January 10th, 2011
9:38 pm
I am not sure why he left UGA early…He could not win a state title in High school Football and got whipped by Byrnes high School.He accomplished nothing in college football. If I were him I would want to win a big game,win a conference title,Win a national Championship,Be a Heisman candidate. What did he he actually do???? nothing He DID NOT PUT UP THE NUMBERS IN COLLEGE!!! Sold a shirt ..got suspended possibly blowing the season. Yep he threw his team under the bus. And yep ! what is the obvious choice. Get out of the SEC as fast as possible and get drafted by the worst team in The NFL. Best of luck in double coverage. Prediction:Will only last 1.5 seasons.
Wish I could say thanks for the memories
Jalex49
January 11th, 2011
5:27 am
Thanks for being a “Dawg”. I know it may not have turned out exactly the way A.J. wanted here but there’s no denying the excitement he brought to the Georgia football program.
He will do well in the NFL . I’m sure the georgia fans will follow his career with excitement. Too bad the Falcons can’t work out some kind of trade and bring him to Atlanta. He would look great in “Red and Black”. That would be exciting to watch with the receiving corps that’s currently in place.
I will root for A.J. no matter where he goes to have a good career but I am a die-hard Atanta Falcon fan and must stay with my team when he plays against them.
Thanks again A.J…
Dawg Daddy
January 11th, 2011
6:35 am
You are so right in your statement that AJ does not owe us anything. He sure doesn’t. But he did owe UGA 4 years play for a 4 year scholarship. True? Sure is. But, like many others, I am glad he is gone. And this is not in spite, it is because he causes such a distraction to all the other players who work hard and want to win. Now AJ can get his ultimate goal of mega bucks in the NFL. All else I have to say is he better enjoy that and save as much as possible because he won’t last long at that level. As for a collegiate receiver I would take Kris Durham over AJ anyday. He gave his best and didn’t sell anything along the way. He wanted to win so bad that did you see him crying after the bowl loss. He CARED!!!
joe suggs
January 11th, 2011
7:32 am
Players like Green have no desire to get a college degree . They stay eligible just long enough to go pro ( See “Cash Newton” ) .It is a joke they are paid that kind of money to chase a leather ball. Try walking a combat patrol in Iraq or running into a burning building to save a child.
JYD
January 11th, 2011
7:43 am
The schools make millions of $$$$’s off these athletes’. The coaches makes millions of $$$’s, change schools whenever there is a better offer, suffers no penalties, and no one complains. Yet everyone is upset when the players take advantage of their economic opportunities. If AJ was your son, would you seriously advise him to return to school unless his family already was financially secure like Andrew Luck???? Best wishes AJ!!!
Lady Dawg
January 11th, 2011
8:49 am
We will miss you AJ. You deserve success; now your Mom can quit her job at Walmart (not a joke; she works at Walmart in Summerville, SC). Mrs. Green is a wonderful Mom and earned her reward!
AltamahaDawg
January 11th, 2011
9:49 am
So, have these other guys enrolled in classes this week or not?
Norm
January 11th, 2011
10:26 am
A.J. Green, you totally SUCK ! You’ll be forever remembered for ruining the 2010 UGA season, (just so you could pocket $1,000 from selling that oh so valuable Independence Bowl jersey) and not for the mega millions you’ll receive from the NFL! You sold out your teammates, your coaches and the Bull Dawg Nation and THAT is how you’ll be remembered forever! Eat dirt, A.J. I hope the NFL owners lock you out !
Buck Blew
January 11th, 2011
10:40 am
UGA will be better next year without him.
His frail body won’t last a whole season in the NFL. He should have stayed one more year to get bigger and stronger.
Snoop Dawg
January 11th, 2011
12:01 pm
Great athlete who leaves a sad legacy at UGA.
dawg149
January 11th, 2011
5:50 pm
I know its $$$$$$$$$$……but after your faux pas that cost you and the Dawgs last season, would’ve been refreshing to see you in the ole red n black in 2011. While I wish you success in NFL, you owed UGA another season. The $$$$$ would’ve still been there.
HeyDawg
January 12th, 2011
7:05 am
Does anybody remember his interview after the bowl game. It was all me, me, me. “They did a great job containing me. The didn’t let me catch any balls…” Yeah, whatever AJ. Good bye, and don’t let the door hit you in the A$$.
King Gator
January 12th, 2011
4:14 pm
Honesty is the best policy — when there is money in it.
- MT
Early Exits: A.J. Green, Georgia’s human highlight reel « delbertmccray
January 12th, 2011
4:27 pm
[...] receptions for 2,619 yards and 22 touchdowns. And to no one’s surprise, he’s officially cashing in his chips today for a spot near the top of April’s NFL [...]
dawg time
January 15th, 2011
2:00 pm
no big deal—green took the year off anyway—he was a non-factor in the big games. Richt needs to find some big game players who follow rules, or this will be his last year.