Justin Houston heads to NFL
All-SEC outside linebacker Justin Houston will skip his senior season at Georgia to enter the NFL draft.
Houston announced his unsurprising decision Saturday, deadline day for underclassmen to declare for the draft.
“It was a very hard decision to make, but in the end I had to do what’s best for my family and me,” Houston said in a statement.
He became the second Georgia junior to enter this year’s draft, joining wide receiver A.J. Green. Three other UGA juniors who seriously considered the draft –- cornerback Brandon Boykin and offensive linemen Cordy Glenn and Trinton Sturdivant -– decided to stay in school.
Houston is rated the draft’s No. 26 overall prospect by Scouts Inc. Draft analysts generally peg him as a late first-round or second-round pick.
Houston had 10 sacks and 18 ½ tackles for loss this past season, ranking second in the SEC behind Auburn’s Nick Fairley in both categories. Houston’s 20 career sacks rank seventh on the UGA list.
A graduate of Statesboro High School, Houston was named first-team All-SEC this past season by both the media and the coaches.
In his statement Saturday, Houston thanked Georgia’s coaches and fans.
He said he “would not be where I am today” without coach Mark Richt, who “has helped me grow from a boy to a grown man.” And he added: “Thanks to all of the fans who were behind us the whole time I was in Athens.”
Richt had hoped Houston might stay for his senior season, several times making the point that all of the Georgia juniors considering early exits except Green would have a chance to significantly improve their draft stock by waiting another year to turn pro. Green is projected as a likely top-five pick.
Houston “is a great person and great player, and we’ll miss him,” Richt said in a statement Saturday. “We wish him nothing but the best as he moves into this next phase of his football career, and I’m certain he’ll be successful.”
On what proved to be his final play in Sanford Stadium, Houston intercepted a pass — the only interception of his college career — to clinch the Bulldogs’ 42-34 victory over Georgia Tech on Nov. 27.
With Houston’s decision, Georgia loses four key linebackers from its 2010 team. Seniors Akeem Dent and Darryl Gamble completed their eligibility, and junior Marcus Dowtin was released from his scholarship to transfer to another school.
– Tim Tucker, UGA blog
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189 comments Add your comment
chickenman
January 15th, 2011
5:36 pm
FIRST!
and good luck to Houston, he was one darn good dawg!
jrmdvm1
January 15th, 2011
5:37 pm
Good luck, Justin. As with all the Dawgs in the NFL, I will be cheering for you to do well. Wish you could have stayed, and I think it would have helped your draft position, but, as you said, you have to do what you feel is best for you.
Bernie Matt
January 15th, 2011
5:38 pm
Smart Young Man!
Supes
January 15th, 2011
5:44 pm
He had an outstanding season for the Dawgs, wish him well and we are going to miss him for 2011 season. He’ll fit perfectly with a team like the Ravens, Pats and Steelers.
MDAWG24
January 15th, 2011
5:44 pm
And with that we bid you farewell. Not that we didn’t already know with Justin missing all week in the weight room. Good luck to him.
Stilladawg
January 15th, 2011
5:45 pm
Good luck Justin..I don’t blame you brother…I would have done the same thing… On another note, damn I hope we sign Ray drew!!
Dirty Dawg
January 15th, 2011
5:46 pm
Wised decision Justin to leave now while your stock is high. I remember when Q. Moses stayed for his senior year after leading the SEC in sackes. Moses did not have a good senior year and his stock fell to the sixth round. Good luck at the next level.
Mike
January 15th, 2011
5:46 pm
Can’t blame him at all when he needs to support his family and he’s projected as a first round pick. Thank you for everything you did for the team in your career, Justin. Good luck at the next level!
xian jing
January 15th, 2011
5:50 pm
As awful as this is cause justin houston is an absolute beast. This makes room for ray drew and I’ve heard this announcement is all ray needed to decide to come to the dawgs
K Conley
January 15th, 2011
5:51 pm
Justin, I appreciate the effort you gave on the field every Saturday. If all of our athletes competed and were as dedicated as you, winning would be a foregone conclusion. Best of luck and hope you replace John Abraham in the ATL..
Chuck
January 15th, 2011
5:51 pm
Can’t blame the guy. Late first round money is hard to pass up. Good luck, and thanks for single handedly beating Tech this year. What a way to go out in Sanford Stadium.
gomdawg
January 15th, 2011
5:53 pm
GOOD LUCK, ONE HELLVA PLAYER 100% ALL THE TIME YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN A GOOD LEADER
BufordKing
January 15th, 2011
5:54 pm
Good decision and hope the best for you Justin – thank you for becoming a Dawg and for always being a Dawg!!! Will be rooting for you in the NFL!
JB
January 15th, 2011
5:56 pm
3rd rounder………..2 mil signing bonus……a teacher in the State of Georgia will Avgerage about 50 k for their career, That’s 1.5 mil…for 30 years of HARD work. 2 mil for playing ball for 12 months,
See ya Justin.
BG
January 15th, 2011
5:57 pm
Good Luck Houston! Houston will be a late 1st rounder or early second rounder.
Dawg
January 15th, 2011
6:00 pm
3rd round pick.
Smoked Cheese
January 15th, 2011
6:02 pm
5th round pick.
Go Dawgs
January 15th, 2011
6:03 pm
Man Kid was good sucks to lose him. What do you think are LBs are next year.
Dawg
January 15th, 2011
6:05 pm
You would think Houston would have learned something from Curran’s bad decision to turn pro. Never played a down of football this year in the NFL.
Gofortwo
January 15th, 2011
6:08 pm
He leaves early for the big bucks, we tell him how great he’s been and then we spend next season blaming the defense players when they don’t sack the quarterback. What logic. Cox would understand.
1962 Dawg
January 15th, 2011
6:09 pm
Good luck Justin Houston in the NFL. Hopefully you can go in the 1st round along with A. J. Green. Projected as a late 1st round, maybe Falcons will get a shot at drafting you and you can stay home.
Houston would be a great replacement for Anderson.
Atl_Dawg
January 15th, 2011
6:11 pm
Wish u all the best Houston. U were and will always b a damn good dawg!
Ga Dawg 97
January 15th, 2011
6:12 pm
Another one that leaves no legacy! Maybe ne can take Richt with him…
Dawg
January 15th, 2011
6:12 pm
3rd round pick. Practice squad next year and very few reps.
dawggirl
January 15th, 2011
6:13 pm
I wish him luck, but not sure why he waited until the very last minute. It’s been known for months.
We sure will miss him, but I hope he ends up having a long and distinguished professional career in the NFL. With any luck, he’ll be with the Falcons.
Dirty Dawg
January 15th, 2011
6:13 pm
This program is sinking fast. 6-7 again next year. At least we’ll get a new coach!
bwell
January 15th, 2011
6:14 pm
that free up a scholarship to go after another great recruit!
Jim
January 15th, 2011
6:14 pm
Good luck Justin. Take some of your signing money and sponsor a scholarship for a 350 pound nose guard that does a 4.50/40.
dawgfan
January 15th, 2011
6:16 pm
This is about as shocking as Tech losing a bowl game.
See ya Justin. You made the right move.
RomeDawg
January 15th, 2011
6:16 pm
Can’t blame him! Good luck in the NFL. For you guys that say no legacy, I wonder what your legacy is? Fact is he has accomplished more and will make more money by the time he is 24 than you and your kids will accomplish in your whole life, combined. IDIOTS!!!!
CBB1
January 15th, 2011
6:16 pm
Can’t blame him. We are going to suck next year again. Until we get new coach, will NEVER make it back to Atlanta.
Dawg
January 15th, 2011
6:18 pm
dawggirl, I know exactly why he waited to the last minute. There is a very good chance he will fall to the 3rd or 4th round and not get the big bucks. He knows this and that is why it was a hard decision. He is at the most he may get playing time in 3rd down situation as a pass rusher. Most like he will be on the practice squad just like Curran was all year. These guys are not bright.
dawgfan
January 15th, 2011
6:21 pm
Dawg, you are not bright. Houston is projected to go much higher than Curran was. You need to stop pretending to know what you are talking about. It makes you look even more stupid than you already are.
Thanks.
Dawg
January 15th, 2011
6:21 pm
bwell, there are only so many great recruits out there to give a scholly too.
dawggirl
January 15th, 2011
6:25 pm
Dawg, what exactly are you basing your information on?
Dawg '94
January 15th, 2011
6:25 pm
Could have been a top 5 pick with a BIG senior year. Oh well…good luck Houston.
Dawg
January 15th, 2011
6:26 pm
Good Luck Houston! You made a big mistake.
saban
January 15th, 2011
6:27 pm
Keep Richt.
He couldn`t stand a beat down by Boise State after the beatdown by Central Florida.
Should I let Crowell play for the dawgs or not. Nah I will give him toj Auburn.
like2win
January 15th, 2011
6:28 pm
dawggone
1962 Dawg
January 15th, 2011
6:29 pm
I agree with Dawgfan!! Houston is a much higher prospect than Curran,
And to the poster above who spoke of Moses having a poor year his senior year.
Moses couldn’t get to the QB his senior season because he was doubled all year long, thus Charles Johnson had the better year at the other end position. Both are still playing BTW.
Dawg
January 15th, 2011
6:29 pm
dawegurl, 60% of DE that can only pass rush and have no coverage skills like Houston slip in the draft 1 to 2 rounds from where they are projected to go.
GEORGIA DOME
January 15th, 2011
6:30 pm
good luck and thanks for YOUR TIME AT uga
Delbert D.
January 15th, 2011
6:37 pm
He will draw interest from all of the 15 teams that run the 3-4 for sure. It’s rare that they get to see an a good 3-4 linebacker in college.
Brucerugby79
January 15th, 2011
6:44 pm
Good Luck Justin-hope you end up with Falcons-wish you the best wherever you end up=GO DAWGS!!!
1962 Dawg
January 15th, 2011
6:45 pm
DAWG
Obviously you’ve been watching a different Justin Houston than me.
Justin has good containment and is not only a pass rusher.
You must have missed his containment play on the corner during the Ga. Tech game where he not only had the corner sealed off but picked up a fumble and scored with it.
2nd or 3rd leading tackler on the team behind Akeem Dent.
Which Justin Houston you been watching??
dawgfan
January 15th, 2011
6:45 pm
Well there you have it folks. I guess Houston wasn’t consulting with anyone as knowledgeable as Dawg in his decision making process. What a huge mistake. And Dawg gives out this valuable information for FREE on internet message boards. Houston really screwed up here.
Holy bejeebus.
Bhag
January 15th, 2011
6:46 pm
I think I have heard of about 70 players that are projected to go in the first round thus far in the last couple of weeks last I checked there only about 32 or 33 first round picks….. Justin is a great player but I bet he does not get drafted until mid 2nd to early 3rd round…. Don’t get me wrong there is no shame in that but I would just like to know that these boys are being advised by more than just some sports agent……
just a fan
January 15th, 2011
6:51 pm
Dawg,
just so you know Rennie Curran had 8 tackles and played in the last nine games of the year and is listed as the backup to WIll Witherspoon another former dawg. Do not begrudge any athlete for leaving school early and taking money that is there for the taking. I wish he had came back because our D would have been better with him but we will survive and have a great year.
Birrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrd Man
January 15th, 2011
6:53 pm
Good luck to the young man. 3rd rounder at best.
harold
January 15th, 2011
6:54 pm
THE DREAM AT GEORGIA IS NIGHTMARISH.
DawginOH
January 15th, 2011
6:56 pm
We’re sad to see you go, but best of luck to you in the NFL, Justin! We’ll be cheering for you every step of the way! DGD!! There’s a really lucky NFL team out there about to get a phenomenal talent and a great young man.
Dawg
January 15th, 2011
6:58 pm
dawgfan, I’ll see you here during the draft when Houston is drafted late 2nd or 3rd round.
Dawg
January 15th, 2011
7:01 pm
Bhag, You are correct. Houston is not going to be drafted until the late 2nd to 3rd round.
poopdawg
January 15th, 2011
7:01 pm
GOOD LUCK JUSTIN
EagleDawg
January 15th, 2011
7:03 pm
Good luck Justin. Make Statesboro proud and represent us well.
Smiling Jack
January 15th, 2011
7:06 pm
It matters not why he waited to declare nor really that he has declared except for himself, his family and their future. Why does it matter to any fan except that he loves what he does and excells at it. UGA will go on…football will be played by Georgia Bulldawgs and fans will enjoy, cheer and pull for the Dawgs to win. But, win or lose a fan should want a kid to groiw into manhood prepared to take care of his family and other obligations contributing in a positive way to society. Good LUCK Justin and Go Dawgs, the pride of Georgia!
Dawg
January 15th, 2011
7:07 pm
1962 Dawgs, That was a great job against a triple option offense.
Oakwood dawg
January 15th, 2011
7:09 pm
Money talks and bull$hit walks. Can’t really blame him but sometimes I wonder about commitment and loyalty. Boy this just makes next season even worse. Wish the NFL would take only full seniors and then I would not feel so bad when one or our dawgs leaves for the NFL. And BTW could that hurt the NFL?
Dawg
January 15th, 2011
7:11 pm
I love Houston and hope he does great at the next level. He will just have to work harder being drafted in the 3rd round. Green bay almost cut AJ Hawk. I wish Houston would have stayed in school and finished his degree and improved his draft stock.
Gofortwo
January 15th, 2011
7:13 pm
RomeDawag is another of those who sees sports as some great accomplishment where it really contributes little to society. But let the price of Red Mann tobacco go as high as gas prices and he’s hell bent on telling you how those who have accomplished more than him or his kids everywill are hurting the little man.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
January 15th, 2011
7:16 pm
Wise move, hard to argue the point. Many have left before they should have and flopped, but he is going in with the notion that the “next” DC in a 3-4 will get a perfect fit. He could have stayed and moved up to a 12-18 slot, but the risk versus reward was to great and we are not privy to his fiancial responsibility to his family.
Good luck and GOOOO Dawgs!
Champs
January 15th, 2011
7:30 pm
Good luck to Justin. Dawgs really needed him to stay, but no one can blame him. Hey saban, get off the dawgs’ blog. You are the definition of a loser, and you do not represent the best of Alabama’s fans. I’m a Tide fan and I live in Tuscaloosa. As an alum of BOTH schools, I am calling you out for acting like a fool coming on another team’s blog and constantly posting negative crap. The dawgs have the potential to turn things around next year, but would have been better with Houston. All dawgs fans are hurting, because we know that either way, we’re in trouble – if we have a better season, we’re probably stuck with Richt – OR, we endure another horrible season.
girldawg
January 15th, 2011
7:34 pm
Wow I hated to hear that. I heard it while watching the b-ball game. Dawg Nation will surely miss you next season. You are one good dawg!! Best Wishes.
how2fish
January 15th, 2011
7:44 pm
Best of luck Justin DGD !!
T-dawg
January 15th, 2011
7:51 pm
All about the Benjamins………………..
Bad News comes in Threes(3)
January 15th, 2011
7:55 pm
Good Luck Young Man, You will serve your university proud. I had rather have 11 of you on my team than any number of the cllassless thugs like Fairley.
P. Bull Terrier
January 15th, 2011
7:56 pm
Dawg has no clue what he’s talking about. Rennie Curran didn’t play a lot for the Titans this season, but he did play and collected at least 7 tackles. More importantly, he earned at least $645,000 this year as part of a 4 year, $2.435 million contract. Unless Dawg is a rap music star or a pro athlete, I guarantee he didn’t earn $645,000 this year.
Both Huston and Curran made the right decisions for themselves and their families. I would have loved to see both return for their senior seasons, but I wouldn’t expect either of them to turn down enough money to have a great start on life just to spend an extra year entertaining me for free.
TL's Dawgs
January 15th, 2011
8:01 pm
Best wishes for a successful career!!! You will be missed.
Dawgtime
January 15th, 2011
8:12 pm
UGA blows Ole Miss out in basketball, and the AJC carries Ozzie Canseco getting a DUI as a highlight. What a joke. The dude was a nothing in baseball for no local teams, yet the AJC carries that crap. I love the constant attacks on UGA football because it makes GT look even worse. If we suck, what can you say about them? Get a clue. Where is the headline for the big basketball win?
Mark's Rectum
January 15th, 2011
8:12 pm
My t u rd, my tu r d, where is my t ur d?
Bad News comes in Threes(3)
January 15th, 2011
8:12 pm
If you are a young recruit down to deciding where you want to play College football, then you know that the opportunities to play and play early at UGA is where you will do just that. We will have to put you on the field early. If you are strong enough to handle twelve games of SEC football we will welcome you. Let us also warn you that there is a good if not great chance that we will suffer more losses than we are accustomed to. We will play you and you will give valuable experience early. We do expect to lose 5 to 7 games as we have many many holes, and that is where you come in. Sign with us and you will play. One more final note, there is a very good chance that the coaching staff in place will not be here after your freshmen year, thats right, the coaches are on a very very hot seat. We hope transistion is in your vocabulary.
Finally, do not come to Georgia and get into trouble, if you do it is a pretty much guarantee you will gone in a hurry or suspended immediatley as we have had our share of trouble atheletes.
The Way I see it.
January 15th, 2011
8:13 pm
Good luck in the NFL. Good Dawg!
Nuf said.
Next blog please.
OC_Dawg
January 15th, 2011
8:13 pm
Your time to shine over there now Jarvis. Good luck Justin!
The Way I see it.
January 15th, 2011
8:14 pm
Enter your comments here
Coffee Bluff DAWG
January 15th, 2011
8:23 pm
Will have to watch you on Sunday now Justin. Good luck DAWG.
Down and Out Dawg
January 15th, 2011
8:23 pm
With Houston and Dowtin gone, that’s two fewer thugs in Athens.
Stinger
January 15th, 2011
8:25 pm
The only draft that Houston could make is the army. He’ll never get picked by NFL.
houston schmouston
January 15th, 2011
8:25 pm
he was on the worst UGA defenses I’ve ever seen in the past 2 years. good riddance and good luck.
Dawgster
January 15th, 2011
8:26 pm
A few salient comments:
1. Four different SEC teams have won the last five BCS championships.
2. UGA was not one of those teams.
3. During that period, UGA did not win the SEC championship.
4. During that period, UGA did not even win its SEC division.
5. Red panties.
In other words, UGA has sunk into total irrelevancy both regionally and nationally.
So why is UGA paying Mark Richt millions of dollars a year?
Poverty will do that
January 15th, 2011
8:27 pm
Many SEC kids and ACC kids do come from very impoverished homes. A 34 year old Mom and a 52 year old Grandma raise them, along with some 16 year old “aunt.” Now given that reality, what young man seeing “only” a $125,000 signing bonus ( forget the millions) and a three year contract for say $270,000 per year would not jump??? Frankly, that schedule might be too low. I do not keep up with the NFL or the NBA or pro baseball salaries.
But if this is even near what is offered for second and third rounders …………… you can see why they jump. They hope to shoot up the pay scale with on the field action and improve it. To these kids they are possibly living on welfare or in Scam Newton’s case, his papa’s dog track winnings from Victoryland.
I cannot blame these kids, given their circumstances. Now, if they let the old pals from the hood into their pro lives ………….. then watch out.
Good luck Justin.
UGA man, class of 71 & 73
APD and GT's # 37
January 15th, 2011
8:29 pm
Tarrant ( GT # 37 ) will also be going to the NFL and in his case, the APD will provde two off duty officers for the public’s proection.
bobby
January 15th, 2011
8:39 pm
im not surprised but uga will be fine
The Way I see it.
January 15th, 2011
8:44 pm
The sad part is if a kid is not drafted high and a team doesn’t have as much invested as in higher draft picks it makes it harder for him.
The high paid drafts are going to get the most attention.
Al E.
January 15th, 2011
8:46 pm
Doesn’t matter what round he’s taken in, leaving was the right move. His stock will never be higher. He was good but, honestly, is a little overrated. Now he’s going to get paid. Congrats to Justin.
Snoop Dawg
January 15th, 2011
9:03 pm
Can’t believe that so many in the Dawg Nation are giving Houston the high five and telling him he made the right decision to go for the money.
He did make the right decision, but it was because his coaching staff let him and the team down.
This will continue to happen until we get a respectable coaching staff.
It’s unfortunate that players like Houston can’t see the forest for the trees and is mesmerized by all that glitter. Money isn’t everything… Sometimes you need to give back to the younger folks and make your family proud by graduating.
Dirty Dawg
January 15th, 2011
9:16 pm
Don’t let the door hit you on the way out! Thanks for nothing. Career highlight was a win in Shreavport.
Ga Dawg 97
January 15th, 2011
9:17 pm
We need Richt out NOW!
59bulldawg
January 15th, 2011
9:28 pm
Would dearly love to hear an underclassman one day say, “Although there are no guarantees in life, I feel confident that I should take full advantage of the opportunities I have during this special period of my life before turning pro. Therefore, after much consideration I have decided to finish my education and keep my word to the school that offered me a chance to receive a college education while displaying my athletic talents to the world. I know this decision may be hard to understand in the “me first” mentality of modern American society but the finite value of a professional contract can never compare to the infinite value of the friends I’ll make, the experiences that I’ll have, the respect I will earn, and the education I’ll gain by returning the loyalty that my school first showed to me by offering a full scholarship in exchange for my athletic services.”
I know that is just a crazy expectation on my part, but I’d still love to hear some version of it. Don’t know how the Luck kid at Stanford put it but I certainly like his decision to stay in school and hope he has a great season this fall and wins the Heisman. I know I might think different if I were a poor kid who never really had much. But I can’t help but think that professional football is destroying the college game.
Farmer Dell
January 15th, 2011
9:34 pm
Wow, another UGA guy going 1st round in the NFL, multi-millionaire, this will help recruiting, somebody will get Houston’s spot.
Farmer Dell
January 15th, 2011
9:35 pm
Go get your money, richt has more dudes in the nfl than any other coach.
al.com
January 15th, 2011
9:43 pm
Why not just over sign like bama. Kick all the losers each year and sign 25 even if you have 10 players leaving.
Dawg89
January 15th, 2011
9:44 pm
Houston: “I had to do what was best for me…” Too many UGA players been doing that lately.
Farmer Dell
January 15th, 2011
9:51 pm
Nobody thought AJ or JH was coming back, these 2 are 1st round NFL ballers. But, kept all the other guys, that could have bolted (Boykin, etc.)
Also, UGA is D-E-E-P at LB:
rOBINSON, wASHINGTON, J JONES, SAMUEL, FALOUGHI, ALSO GOT STRIPLING & MORANT. RAY DREW, ALSO HERRERRA…..
Snoop Dawg
January 15th, 2011
10:03 pm
Farmer Dell, what’s wrong with managing recruits like Alabama? If someone doesn’t pan out, isn’t motivated, no need to continue to keep them on scholarship. Is this some sort of entitlement?
Once the players understand you can’t just skate, maybe you will see some better motivated players that are in good shape and not hip hopping in the huddle instead of concentrating on defeating the opposing team.
Bad News comes in Threes(3)
January 15th, 2011
10:03 pm
We need to stop worrying about what players are leaving the program, what players are going to sign on NSD, what coaches are going to be around in the future, what other schools are doing and just understand one thing: If the coaches do not change the mindset of our current players and the players who are on the team show some leadership and understand they are on campus to play football, get an education and live by example, and get the players on the same page.
We can sit here and complain about what players are leaving the state and what other schools and coaches are doing, but our problems start with the folks in charge at UGA and our players on campus.
Bad News comes in Threes(3)
January 15th, 2011
10:06 pm
Snoop Dawg,
You are right, we have too many players and coaches who think “I have made it and now I can coast through the system and play on saturdays.” Other places put the onus on the players to outwork each other and to outhustle their teammates for playing time.
Bad News comes in Threes(3)
January 15th, 2011
10:08 pm
Our former DC and his falcon defense are playing like we did for the past two years tonight, very pourous and unenthusiastic play.
DodgerDawg
January 15th, 2011
10:13 pm
SINCE THE AJC CANNOT REPORT IT….The DAWGS won inb the road in Mississippi today.
DodgerDawg
January 15th, 2011
10:15 pm
That is WON ON THE ROAD
James K Polk
January 15th, 2011
10:15 pm
Good riddance. The quicker we get rid of all these loser thugs the better off we will be. We need to start with the one in charge, though.
DodgerDawg
January 15th, 2011
10:18 pm
Guess the reporters (sic) at AJC are not used to covering the DAWGS during Basketball season, but when will they realize UGA RUNS, DRIBBLES, SCORES, SLAMS THIS STATE…(and in the spring we wrap up the trifecta in Baseball as well). COME ON AJC, cover the DAWGS, not just the petty traffic tickets and the national high-lights. You are a state paper…COVER THE STATE. The Dalton Daily Citizen could scoop you on UGA news
Armydawg
January 15th, 2011
10:22 pm
I would leave too if I played for a coach that kicks a field goal on 4th and inches on Central Florida’s 2 yard line. You homers watch and see, it will be another bad year next year. The definition of insanity is? Richt is complacent and too conservative, he goes into the locker room at halftime leaving 2 time outs and just under a minute on the clock. Richt plays to try not to lose and does not play to win. He will give the same post season speech next December after a weak bowl loss, and then homers will continue to accept the excuses. Have fun losers!
BAMA FAN #2
January 15th, 2011
10:23 pm
Good player and hope he plays for the Titans!!! RTR
59bulldawg
January 15th, 2011
10:51 pm
Say what you want about Saban oversigning kids but it keeps the competition keen. They know if they wanna play they have to consistently work hard, stay out of trouble, and impress the coaches. I like a system where the coaches run things instead of the inmates running the asylum. The players certainly wanna play for Saban because they respect his ability as a coach and his record of success. I’m not sure we can say the same about Richt!
knowledge
January 15th, 2011
11:07 pm
funny….he is the same as Rennie Curran. Another bulldog bound for special teams in the NFL. Congrats! Get your money and find a real job in a couple of years.
oburgdawg
January 15th, 2011
11:19 pm
I am certain Houston will represent UGA well in the NFL. Good luck to him. See http://www.thetandd.com for Friday’s article on Tim Jennings, a former dawg who grew at UGA into the kind of man that he is today. He may not be the biggest guy on the field, but he definitely plays with all of his heart. Good luck tomorrow in the playoffs!
William C Smith
January 15th, 2011
11:23 pm
After watching the Falcons tonight one thing seems obvious. They could use both Houston and Fairley. Good Luck!
Jacket Spray
January 15th, 2011
11:25 pm
Way to go Bulloch County Boy from another Bulloch County citizen. Go Dawgs and Statesboro Blue Devils
Jacket Spray
January 15th, 2011
11:31 pm
Oh Yeah,don’t be like a Shannon Sharpe or his brother Sterling from the county next to Bulloch. Remember your roots and the community you came from. If you can one day help your community!!!!!
JDAWG
January 15th, 2011
11:32 pm
http://isportsweb.com/2011/01/15/justin-houston-declares-for-the-nfl/
darn
January 15th, 2011
11:35 pm
good luck, Justin, you are one damned good dawg. and boy, will we suck next year.
BoWeevil
January 15th, 2011
11:40 pm
14 seniors – gone
AJ Green – gone
Justin Houston – gone
Marcus Dowtin – gone
Caleb King – FLUNKED OFF TEAM
Montez Robinson – kicked off team, gone
Zach Mettenberger – kicked off team, gone
excessive celebration
January 15th, 2011
11:44 pm
how appealing does Van Gorder look now? He looked like UGA playing FL under spurrier.
BoWeevil
January 16th, 2011
12:15 am
Falcons ? When have they ever won a play-off game 2 years in a row ?
AJ Green,FLK, – NCAA suspension, gone
Justin Houston, OLB, – gone
Marcus Dowtin, ILB,– Arrested, Suspended, gone
Caleb King,TB, – Arrested, Suspended, Flunked off team
Dontavius Jackson, promising RB – Arrested, Suspended, gone
Montez Robinson, LB, – Arrested, Suspended, kicked off team, gone
Zach Mettenberger, QB, – Arrested, Suspended, kicked off team, gone
Kris Durham, SE, – gone
Clint Boling, OL, – gone
Chris Davis, OL, – gone
Josh Davis, OL, – gone
Shaun Chapas, FB, – gone
Akeem Hebron, ILB, gone
Quinton Banks, SS, injured, – gone
Kiante Tripp, DE, – gone
Fred Munzenmaier, FB, – gone
Brandon Wood, LE, – gone
Demarcus Dobbs, RE, – gone
Darryl Gamble, OLB, – gone
Akeem Dent, ILB, – gone
If you think these 19, all of whom we had this time last year, are replaced by last year’s 2010 class ranked # 17 recruiting class or are replaced by this year’s 2011 class ranked # 14 today, you are a DISNEYdawgs.com
Tired Dawg
January 16th, 2011
12:41 am
Congrats Justin, get your money and run. I don’t blame you a bit, especially if you can go in first round. However, you are the most overrated player since another first round pick named Musa Smith. You should have stayed in school and really became a man. NFL offensive tackles are going to treat you like rag doll.
Joe_Camel
January 16th, 2011
12:57 am
I’m afraid it’s going to be another long, embarrassing season for the Dawgs next year with A.J. Green and Justin Houston leaving. Here’s hoping they prove me wrong.
jfootball
January 16th, 2011
1:40 am
I thought Marcus Dowtin was going to be one of our future star LBs? He’s leaving, why?
jfootball
January 16th, 2011
1:43 am
never mind I just read why.
Top Row Dawg
January 16th, 2011
2:23 am
Represent in the NFL Go Dog!!!!
uga
January 16th, 2011
2:42 am
good, goooooo…dont need you hear anyway
uga
January 16th, 2011
2:44 am
it is going to get worse before it gets any better…plan on a 4-7 season…maybe if that
BoWeevil
January 16th, 2011
4:02 am
Macus Dowtin is no different from Dontavius Jackson.
Dontavius Jackson was going to be a star here, if they ever played him.
Zach Mettenberger too.
Jim 007
January 16th, 2011
5:40 am
Good Luck !
Can’t blame him with Richt as coach !
Oak Island
January 16th, 2011
6:02 am
Every time I hear “I’m going pro for my family” it makes me want to ask “what family?”. Didn’t you have a shot at a free education and don’t you feel like you owe the” UGA Family” something back. If the parents of these players were truly wanting their son to get an education instead of the big bucks, they would tell the kids to stay in school and the money will be there later on. Just wish the parent or parents would step up and do it for their kid instead of a Cecil Newton type person where the athletic ability of the kid brings money to the dad who didn’t play one down on the field. Just tired of all the hoopla that goes with recruiting and going pro early. I realize that most of the players nowadays could give a rats butt about an education and this is where the parents need to demand they get their degree but most of the time the parents want the big bucks more than the student athlete.
Ho-hum
January 16th, 2011
6:32 am
Dirty Dawg
January 15th, 2011
5:46 pm
Wised decision Justin to leave now while your stock is high. I remember when Q. Moses stayed for his senior year after leading the SEC in sackes. Moses did not have a good senior year and his stock fell to the sixth round. Good luck at the next level
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Q. Moses was the first pick in the 3rd round by the lowly Raiders. He was the highest drafted player not to make his team that year. The Cardinals claimed him and cut him after a month. He is now a reserve in Miami. He had ONE good year at UGA. Obviously, his Junior year was a fluke.
BoWeevil
January 16th, 2011
6:45 am
How the living hell do you know the money will still be there after the kid graduates ?
D.A. statement
ugab
January 16th, 2011
7:07 am
Money talks! I think he should have stayed. He had some good plays, but never game changing plays. He will be like all the rest of MRs juniors that have left school. Go low in draft and be on the practice squad at best. oops
ugab
January 16th, 2011
7:19 am
MR never gets players to stay> Auburn had a coaching change to get a bunch of seniors together along with good coaching too. Auburn paid more for Cam. Mississippi could’t pay more than Auburn.
ugab
January 16th, 2011
7:20 am
Who wants to stay with a weak coaching staff. WEAK.
BoWeevil
January 16th, 2011
7:26 am
ugab,
It is a very weak coaching staff Mark Richt has hired.
The only area they pass on is praying with Mark Richt
Interested Party
January 16th, 2011
7:52 am
His leaving will not affect Richt’s coaching ability or lack thereof. Richt will go about 7-5 next year, give or take a game, and the result would have been about the same with or without Houston. With Houston last year, Richt went 6-7. Not exactly a year to remember in the history of UGA football. Besides, if Richt loses the first two games in 2011, he won’t be around anyway, so he won’t have to worry about it.
BoWeevil
January 16th, 2011
8:01 am
that about sums it up
Sorry Dogs
January 16th, 2011
8:07 am
Rats off the ship.
UGAFan
January 16th, 2011
8:32 am
You mean, Houston didn’t want to stay for his senior season, win 6 games, and go to Shreveport or Memphis again?
What’s wrong with him?
JB
January 16th, 2011
8:35 am
BoWeevil…………….Thanks for the list of players….We are in for a long year……..All polls have Boise pre season top 10…. Although they would not fair well in the SEC full time, I’m afraid this Georgia team will be shooting blanks against them opening day. Carolina at Home next week will be awful…They are way to physical for us, and have most of that team coming back…..0-2 will all heads hung after those two losses spell a longggggggggggg season in Athens. Gonna get worse befoew better. Yes, I love my Dawgs and will root, but I just don’t see it.
JB
January 16th, 2011
8:39 am
ONE thing that might help……Put this entire freshman class on the field and get very aggressive on both sides of the ball. Give the other guys something to scratch their heads about. open up the offense and play D with two or so blitzing from all over EVERY play.
JB
January 16th, 2011
8:51 am
Carlton Thomas between tackles on 2nd and 15 should get these guys fired before year end. Scripted football vs wide open, keep’em guessing football is the death nail.
South Georgia Dawg
January 16th, 2011
8:55 am
Why ???? Why ???? Why ???? are we talking about football in Mid January when our basketball teams playing great ? I’ll start thinking football again in August. Fox and Landers are great and I’m hoping Perno can trun the diamond dawgs around.
harold
January 16th, 2011
8:57 am
It is time for Richt and his weak staff to go.
Bug spray
January 16th, 2011
9:12 am
Justin, good luck, son, and thank you for busting your butt on every play and making the most out of your abilities. Too bad most of your teammates on D did not do the same. I just hope there is a league open for business next year so you can get paid.
I wonder if last night’s performance in the Georgia Dome will make Brian Van Gorder think about returning to UGA?
FIRE MIKE BOBO!!!!!!
January 16th, 2011
9:19 am
Life is gonna stink in Sanford Stadium next year.
Farmer Dell
January 16th, 2011
9:22 am
Ingram left Saban early, Newton left Auburn early, it happens.
Farmer Dell
January 16th, 2011
9:26 am
UGA was able to keep a bunch of guys that could have gone pro, some o-line, kicker, boykin, etc.
Willl
January 16th, 2011
9:30 am
Tim:
Here are two examples of the alarming fall of the UGA football program:
1. How many of the UGA assistant coaches have been reported to have been interviewed for any of the head coach vacancies this year? Last year? How many carry a national media tag of “up and coming” or “sitting in the wings” in relation to head coaching positions?
2. Justin Houston announced he is leaving he program. His announcement rated no national attention.
What’s my point? The UGA football program has now fallen into the dreaded “irrelevant” deep hole of national media attention. Being irrelevant is often the “death nail” of a program.
Farmer Dell
January 16th, 2011
9:37 am
If UGA gets Drew & Crowell, UGA will finish with 7 of the ESPN top 150, which would put this recruiting class in 2nd place, tied with Alabama.
the 4 guys who decided to come back, wantd to get the program back to where it was. 2011 looking pretty good from a talent perspective.
Farmer Dell
January 16th, 2011
9:40 am
I thought Grantham woud be agreat, but what he did with Houston, in Grantham’s 1st year, man, if I were an OLB or DE or NT, I’d be signing with UGA. Houston put up monster numbers and will go 1st round in the NFL as a JR. Pretty great for recruiting, Grantham’s the man.
RxDawg
January 16th, 2011
10:18 am
Yeh, I knew it he was gone when it took so long to come out with a statement. Thanks for everything Justin. You were a bright spot on a dull team.
Dawg Fan
January 16th, 2011
11:20 am
LMMFAO! I guess we’ll see if this coaching / recruiting staff is actually worth a crap!
GO DAWGS!
Corninmypooh
January 16th, 2011
11:45 am
I think I’m the only Dawg fan that thinks Houston is not all that and a bag of chips. If you look at his most productive games they were all against inferior teams. Houston made no impact against AU, SC or FL this year. I wish him the best, but I agree with Richt – Houston could have dramatically benefitted from another season in a Dawg uniform.
WDE
January 16th, 2011
11:49 am
I would just like to kindly point out the amount of BS we Auburn fans have gotten for Nick Fairley and Cam Newton “using” us to get into the NFL. What does it say when your best players leave after leading you to your first losing season in so many years?
We got the title. Yall are just getting worse.
Thanks, goodbye.
Paul N Destin
January 16th, 2011
11:59 am
Quick Quiz. The Ole BallCoach said….What happens to all those All American HS players that UGA signs every year (close). Did he really mean the following
1-Ray Goff was a terrible coach
2-HS football in GA is overrated
3-Honda makes better cars than GM
TheChickenShack
January 16th, 2011
12:14 pm
Farmer Dell
January 15th, 2011
9:51 pm
Nobody thought AJ or JH was coming back, these 2 are 1st round NFL ballers. But, kept all the other guys, that could have bolted (Boykin, etc.)
Also, UGA is D-E-E-P at LB:
rOBINSON, wASHINGTON, J JONES, SAMUEL, FALOUGHI, ALSO GOT STRIPLING & MORANT. RAY DREW, ALSO HERRERRA…..
^^^^^^^^^
This
Mike
January 16th, 2011
12:38 pm
I’m glad he’s gone, our defense sucked, he was overated anyway. Maybe now with him gone we can get some better players in here that will perform.
THE TRUTH
January 16th, 2011
1:21 pm
HAHAHA! This sh!tty UGA team just got sh!ttier.. Somehow this is Nick Fairley’s fault!! He is sooo mean an sooo dirty!!
Dawgster2
January 16th, 2011
1:38 pm
Buh bye, thuggo.
RomeDawgSux
January 16th, 2011
2:34 pm
Rome,
So playing football and making $$$ is the pinnacle of human existence?
DANG! Did you tell all those doctors, nurses, teachers and other “nobodies” that they blew it?
You don’t make $Millions and play NFL football either, do you? So I guess you’re a lowlife sumbetch as well, huh? GFY
still a dawg fan
January 16th, 2011
3:06 pm
I wish him luck in the NFL if he makes it. Sure he had a lot of sacks & tackles for loss but most of those were against the likes of tenn,la tech,id st,& vandy,Whenever we played a good team he always had a habit of disappearing like he did against SC,FL,AUB,MISS ST,ARK & UCF.He especially disappeared against AUB because those 2 tackles for AUB dominated him the whole game. He didn’t get close to CN. In reality he was a decent player on a very bad defense.Once he goes to the combine the NFL PEOPLE WILL SEE THAT HE IS NO MORE THEN A 2ND DAY PICK.If anyone could have helped himself by coming back for another year it would have been JH. Instead of being a 2nd day pick in the 4th,5th or 6th round he could have waited & made a WHOLE LOT MORE MONEY by being a 1st or 2nd round pick next year.
Farmer Dell
January 16th, 2011
3:21 pm
Houston will be missed, but losing 4 lb’s means instant playing time for sme new recruits. Might get Ray Drew now, might also get James Vaughters.
stan
January 16th, 2011
3:57 pm
some of you bloggers are funny. if you had the chance to make a lot of cash. at another job for security for your family .you would bolt in a second. so spare us the loyalty crap please.
first tier program
January 16th, 2011
5:23 pm
There goes 1 more nail in CMR coffin.
Mountain Dawg
January 16th, 2011
5:31 pm
WGAS?
Urban Myth
January 16th, 2011
6:53 pm
Maybe he, Farley and Cam will learn how to read since they never learned how in college!
Dawghater
January 16th, 2011
9:19 pm
Why stay for another 6-7 season!
Farmer Dell
January 16th, 2011
9:23 pm
If ANY of you actually thought for a second that AJ Green or Justin Houston were coming back, whenh Scout and ESPN has them both getting drafted in round 1, you just don’t know how talented these 2 guys were. Coaches did a great job coaching them up to become a 1st rounder.
Nate
January 16th, 2011
9:38 pm
So our best defensive and offensive players are gone from a 6-7 season but next year will be better. ok.
junkyarddawg
January 16th, 2011
10:14 pm
Don’t let the door hit you in the @ss! That’s over, let’s move on and go find some players that WANT to be DAWGS!!!
still a dawg fan
January 16th, 2011
10:48 pm
Farmer Dell,
You are right about AJ but you are way off about JH.Mark my word ,he will be a 2nd day pick in the NFL Draft. Everytime we had a big game JH would disappear.Big time players are supposed to perform in big time games not disappear. Another year would greatly benefit JH which could lift him into the 1st or 2nd round.Remember he was a decent player on a bad defense
UGASlobberknocker
January 17th, 2011
7:44 am
Jarvis and Samuel really need to step up at LB ;
dawgfacedboy
January 17th, 2011
8:46 am
Dawg- practice squad sitting the bench as a 1st rounder??? Wrong. Ellerbe is an undersized 3rd or 4th rounder. Big difference. Either way he’ll put more money in his pocket than most people on this blog will make in a lifetime.
Take a multi-million dollar contract or come back to school. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm…
Farmer Dell
January 17th, 2011
9:01 am
Wrong, what a goof. JH is picked to go #23 by ESPN, and #23 by Scout. He’s a 1st rounder slam dunk and will dominate at the next level.
Farmer Dell
January 17th, 2011
9:07 am
You must be confused, not Aaron Murray, I agree he choked in every big game: SC, Ark, Miss St (2 td’s total), Florida (3 int’s/fumble), UCF (2 int’s).
Not Justin H, if you want the UGA guy who chked in the big games and will never go pro, look for #11.
Farmer Dell
January 17th, 2011
9:18 am
McShay has Houston as a 1st rounder. Kiper rated Houston as #2 OLB and predicts he’ll thrive in the 3-4 at OLB in the NFL. Rams scout gave Houston #1 grade as a defensive player coming into the draft.
Charliecole
January 17th, 2011
9:25 am
sec news at http://www.secsportsworld.blogspot.com
Mr. SEC
January 17th, 2011
9:28 am
Money wins again over the integrity of the person! I’ve read many of the post, and I agree with most of the comments. I picked you as the ONE that should had entered early (even over A.J.) his career was tainted. Statements he made about staying for the fans who didn’t get their monies worth from him this season was right, but it was also a stupid of him to make those statements when he knew all along he was leaving; (he left a scar beside his name and now he he is just another name, unfortunately like you)! But, you kept silent and I respect that of you, but both of you had the opportunities to go down in Ga., SEC, and NCAA history, which both of you will go down now as just 2 guys who played at UGA; many will not agree with me, but it is reality! I do wish you the best in the NFL, and I hope that neither of you will forget where you came from in the the future. I looked forward to watching you every Saturday, (I loved your agressiveness on defense,and when A.J. got to play, I like watching the his catches, not in the bowl game though)! Both of you compliment the UGA Nation now, but what about 5 years from now. Again, I wish both of you the best; to me, and I’m a nobody, I just know football and the meaning of “committment”! Bottom line, both of you short changed UGA for money, you slapped a school in the face that made an all out committment to both of you to come to UGA, in this YOU FAILED!
Obivious, collegiate sports is all about getting to the pros as fast as possible and the hell with an education, a sadmessage to send to your kids.
P-Cola Dog
January 17th, 2011
9:43 am
wrong decision in this case. upper to mid first round next year vs 2nd round this year. contract and pay day would have been significantly different. Are the personal and family situations of these young men really so dire they can’t delay 12 months to get paid?
Joe
January 17th, 2011
9:52 am
No way Justin goes Pro now, unless NFL pretty much told him he’s a lock for the 1st round. He’s going in the 1st round, only question is where? He’ll probably go int the 20’s. Grab a $30 million contract. Can’t blame the guy.
Mike
January 17th, 2011
9:53 am
I’m going with McShay’s opinion over what a couple of hack bloggers here think. McShay talked with the NFL Scouts, and I think he has Houston at #21 first rounder.
greg
January 17th, 2011
1:54 pm
Good Luck Houston!!! Now Rambo needs to leave school for other reason.
dawg2
January 17th, 2011
2:22 pm
Good lucky young man…Hope the Falcons get you..So in peace and never look back.
shankit
January 17th, 2011
3:14 pm
WDE – You need to get on the Birmingham News
and defend your school against all them Elly Fants
giving ya’ll a hard time. Such as “Auburn will go
down with Colonial Bank and Victory Land in 2011.”
Stinger
January 17th, 2011
8:19 pm
Will the Army send him to Iraq????????????
Stinger
January 17th, 2011
8:23 pm
The good news is Greene and Houston are leaving. The bad news all the others are staying. LMFAO
NeNe
January 17th, 2011
9:22 pm
No titles, no degree sounds like a recipe for the Pancake House.
Join the rest of the class.
NeNe
January 17th, 2011
9:28 pm
Ill have flat stack, bacon, biscuits and gravy for 100 please.
Buck Blew
January 18th, 2011
11:15 am
Good riddance. Who needs quitters like him. Honor your commitment!!
Gatormeat
January 18th, 2011
6:15 pm
Can’t blame him, if I were stuck in the cesspool that is athens I would get the heck out of there as fast as I could. He should have come to Gainsville and been with a winner and he would have learned some character also. Something you will never learn in athens
dawgssniffbutts
January 18th, 2011
6:34 pm
Isn’t this one of the guys who has been arrested? What is that number up to now – 12 in 2010?
Headlinin’: Justin Houstin goes, John Brantley stays in the SEC East | kazukilund
January 19th, 2011
5:01 am
[...] • We hardly knew ye. As expected, Georgia linebacker Justin Houston is shunning his senior season to take his act to the NFL draft after leading the SEC in sacks and tackles for loss and earning some All-America notice as a junior. Houston can play off the ball as an outside linebacker or put his hand down as a defensive end – he played a DeMarcus Ware-like hybrid role in 2010 under former Dallas Cowboys assistant Todd Grantham – but is likely to fall toward the bottom of the first round in a class loaded with quality pass rushers. [Atlanta Journal-Constitution] [...]
Jason
January 20th, 2011
10:26 am
Get ready to be A Saint