Washaun Ealey: ‘I want to be a premier back’ and not ‘have to share backfield’
Washaun Ealey has not returned my phone calls seeking comment but Gentry Estes over at Dawgs247.com was able to talk to him. Here’s a link to that report (registration required).
Ealey
Ealey told Estes that the decision to transfer was as much his as it was Georgia’s and that the main reason he wanted to leave was not having to share carries with Caleb King, Carlton Thomas, Ken Malcome and, of course, incoming freshman Isaiah Crowell.
“I’m a person where I want to be a premier back,” Ealey told the website. “If I was to play here, I would have had to share the backfield with Caleb and Carlton also. Then they were going to try to give the freshman Isaiah his chance. He probably was going to get some carries at the beginning of the year too. I just felt like I didn’t want to be in that mix of things anymore.”
Ealey said the decision to leave “was best for me” and that he does not have a destination yet.
“I just wasn’t feeling the vibe, I guess,” he said.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
456 comments Add your comment
DawginLex
May 11th, 2011
9:31 am
I realize how bad it looks but how much different is it compared to some of the comments on the UGA blogs?
Boise state 50
UGA 8
for example
jaxdawgfan
May 11th, 2011
9:33 am
A premier back will have the following: Maturity, good work ethic, good morals, selflessness, humility and responsibility. Open ears and a closed mouth are great for helping obtain those traits… advice that a lot of us here on this board could also use.
Waushan, I hope you live to regret your poor choices because regret can motivate you to make the changes in yourself that will lead to success. Save yourself a lot of grief. Listen to, learn from and act on the advice of people who are truly successful.
Shonuff
May 11th, 2011
9:33 am
Alabama would have to reach UGA lows to get beat by Arkansas by that much…
DawginLex
May 11th, 2011
9:33 am
SEC rules require 2 years within the conference for a player granted a release is what someone else said
Shonuff
May 11th, 2011
9:33 am
UGA will beat Boise State.
Wiseoldawg
May 11th, 2011
9:35 am
“He who would be great among you must first be servant to all.” Modern translation: Bust your butt for the team and coaches, keep your nose clean, and if you have what it takes you will rise to the top!
Mikey
May 11th, 2011
9:35 am
All im saying is 240 touches is 20 per game …Moreno in 08…..he came off the practice team??
Its time to stop being so timid at that position…..It will be awhile before another back will choose
UGA,who wants to share with 3&4 guys,i’d go else where too..heck he needs a new start anyway,we all have made mistakes big or small…dumb or dumber…Whats wrong with having the desire to be the 1# back…….We are 35,45,55,yr old men trashing a 20 yr old..I’m
‘SORRY WASHAUN forgive us.
Shonuff
May 11th, 2011
9:38 am
I love you Washaun.
The Rock
May 11th, 2011
9:38 am
The Rock says: We don’t need no “it’s all about me type on this team.” Ealey apparently cannot spell because if he could, he’d know there is no “I” in “Team”.
Do you smell what the Rock is cooking!
schmeckdawg
May 11th, 2011
9:40 am
What punk. I hate quitters and I hope this article follows him in his attempt to get to the NFL. I am sure that the owners that pay these guys millions would love to have a guy like Washout that doesn’t want to compete.
Good riddance and enjoy the sand fleas in Statesboro!
DawginLex
May 11th, 2011
9:41 am
http://compliance.pac-10.org/ccacaitems/surveys/ictransfers.pdf
Looks like Washaun would have to pay his own way after sitting out one year.
KBP
May 11th, 2011
9:43 am
I do not have a problem with Ealy’s thought process. Player’s need reps to develop and Ealy seemingly felt like he was not going to get the reps he needed with a crowded backfield so he’s taking his talents elsewhere. It does not mean he’s not a competitor, it may mean he’s a realist. Richt has nearly annointed Crowell as the starter before one practice so it may be a shrewd move on Ealy’s part. Also, enough of the team player crap! Scouts/recruiters sign players not teams. Take one for the team (play out of position, for example) if you do not have pro-potential. If you have pro-potential then the more reps you get at your position the better your chances of developing your potential.
DJ Shockely was too enamored with being a Dawg and it cost him a legitimate chance at being an NFL QB. He had only one year of full time game experience (reps) and it hindered his development. No way he should have played behind David Greene and Greene never should have been forced to share snaps with Shockely. Shockley should have transferred and Greene never should have come out of the game. Shockely should have pulled an Ealy and I am a 37 year Dawg fan!
Shonuff
May 11th, 2011
9:43 am
Washaun could only compete for the #2 running back spot. Mark Richt has already promised the starting tailback position to Crowell. Actually, Crowell is the one who doesn’t have to worry about competing for the position.
Tobias Funke
May 11th, 2011
9:45 am
Hard to be a premier back in ANY offense when you fumble inside the ten yard line consistently! What a sad, sad, sad statement. Someone needs to yank this BOY up and tell him to grow up!
Talent can only take you so far. Premier backs are willing to put in the extra WORK!
It really is sad. What a waste. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him on a different section of the paper in the next few years.
dawgfan75
May 11th, 2011
9:45 am
Ealey wants to be the big fish so he has to go to a smaller pond. He will probably do well at a 3 yards and a ball of dust school. No need to block when there is no passing. Oh, and by the way,young man, forget about the NFL if you don’t know how to block and can’t hold up to daily competition from those other backs. Good luck at your next job delivering beer kegs.
jaxdawg
May 11th, 2011
9:45 am
I wouldn’t want to share carries with three other backs either. Only problem is Ealey doesn’t have the heart or will to be a premier back…kid does have talent though.
schmeckdawg
May 11th, 2011
9:48 am
Uh Mikey, Alabama doesn’t seem to have any problems bringing in a load of running backs. The problem is Washout just wanted it handed to him. And you are right, there is nothing wrong with “having the desire to be the #1 back,” but you have to earn it and obviously he wasn’t “feeling the vibe” or “have the desire” to go out and earn it. Washout is a punk and we will be better off without him. Just another cancer being eradicated from the team!!!!!
DawginLex
May 11th, 2011
9:50 am
KBP,
Shockley has said repeatedly that staying through what he went through and winning the SEC title his senior year was the best and also the toughest thing he has ever done.
That’s the way life is, you don’t get things easy and sometimes the way to what you want is not your way. Shockley got plenty of playing time his senior year. He is not an NFL caliber QB.
To say he should have transferred feeds into this all about me crap that DJ refused to be a part of. He was rewarded for it too.
Tobias Funke
May 11th, 2011
9:52 am
KBP
What are you smoking?
Greene was the ALL TIME WINNINGEST QB IN NCAA HISTORY until two years ago!!!!!!!! Shockley played at least 15 snaps a game while this was going on too!
Shock had a longer NFL career than Greene!
Was Greene premier out of high school or did he bust his a$$ to become the winningest QB is NCAA history?
Hard work makes you the best in ANY and EVERY aspect in life. It will catapult you over the guys with “talent.”
Shonuff
May 11th, 2011
9:53 am
When did Crowell “earn” the starting job at UGA? I didn’t think you could earn a position during recruitment…I guess I was wrong…
truedawg
May 11th, 2011
9:53 am
Washaun had the talent. He just didn’t have the will to put in the work. He could have been one of the greats. Instead he quit. Best of luck to you, but greatness comes from hard work, not just talent.
Also…Washaun to Walker??? are you kidding? not even going to state stats or argue that point, you must have never seen Walker play…
Also, no one should complain about sharing touches, don’t fumble, don’t whine, work harder. Can’t blame CMR for rotation of back, when you never know who is going to get arrested, flunk a class, or jusr decide to sit out on a play…
To be “the back” you have to not have any off field issues and be clutch when the game is on the line.
DawginLex
May 11th, 2011
9:53 am
shonuff,
Richt has not promised a starting position to Crowell.
He said “I could see him toting the rock against Boise in the dome in the opener.”
Nothing in there guarantees a starting spot.
Ealey didn’t want to work.
Also, I bet there is more to this from richt’s standpoint. would not surprise me one bit if richt told him to hit the road and they agreed it would be a “mutual decision”. Ealey then came up with this I want to be the guy crap to save face.
Shonuff
May 11th, 2011
9:53 am
Who is David Greene????
gdawginkalamazoo
May 11th, 2011
9:54 am
Wow! If being selfish, lack of discipline, no work ethic, and entitlement is a trait of a premier RB then Washaun is definitely a premier RB. Good luck dude. Leaving the yard is a good way to stay out of the doghouse.
schmeckdawg
May 11th, 2011
9:54 am
@ Shonuff
As much as it pains me to say it, I think Caleb will be the #1 RB until Crowell can learn his blocking schemes. Just sayin!
Tobias Funke
May 11th, 2011
9:55 am
Ealey was scared of competing with Carlton Thomas. That speaks volumes.
schmeckdawg
May 11th, 2011
9:55 am
gdawginkalamazoo
May 11th, 2011
9:54 am
Wow! If being selfish, lack of discipline, no work ethic, and entitlement is a trait of a premier RB then Washaun is definitely a premier RB. Good luck dude. Leaving the yard is a good way to stay out of the doghouse.
AWESOME CALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tony
May 11th, 2011
9:55 am
With all the negative comments I’ve read, so far. I wouldn’t dare allow my kid to play for a D-1 College. All they seem to care about is his abilities on the field and not as a person. He has the right to transfer and do as he pleases. We should thank him for given us an opportunity to have a running game. The problem was not Mr. Ealey, instead you should focus on the Lame Duck coach you have.
DawginLex
May 11th, 2011
9:56 am
Shonuff
May 11th, 2011
9:53 am
Who is David Greene????
*****************************************
and you called me ignorant?????????????
Shonuff
May 11th, 2011
9:57 am
I believe Caleb King will take the majority of the snaps the first game, but I believe Crowell will start the game for UGA. I believe Richt promised him the starting job during his recruitment.
DawginLex
May 11th, 2011
9:57 am
for tony
QUACK QUACK
How’s that?
Tobias Funke
May 11th, 2011
9:57 am
Shonuff
You have a really large forehead, don’t you?
Shonuff
May 11th, 2011
9:59 am
I just asked three other people around me who David Greene is and nobody knows…
Tobias Funke
May 11th, 2011
10:00 am
Tony
It’s mighty early to be on a rivals blog. Maybe you should go raise your kid. Or get a life. Or admit that this is all WE’s fault.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
May 11th, 2011
10:01 am
Thats actually funny…
DawginLex
May 11th, 2011
10:01 am
David Greene-UGA QB from 2001-2004
led UGA to SEC title in 2002, 13-1 record and #2 national ranking
all time winningest QB in NCAA history until passed by Colt Mccoy
If you were serious, here is your infor. I genuinely hope you were kidding
schmeckdawg
May 11th, 2011
10:01 am
@ Shonuff
You may be right. I think we will have to wait and see what happens during Fall camp. By the way, don’t sleep on Malcome. I saw him getting on the bus after the G-Day game and he looks like a beast. I bet he has got to be around 230 lbs. He could be our suprise RB this season!
truedawg
May 11th, 2011
10:02 am
Who is Greene??!!!
Who is ERK?!!!
Who is ignorant??
I think everyone on this blog can answer the last one..Washaun and that guy..lol
One more point..hard work. Erk’s players were always outcasts, too small, not fast enough..and they worked their a$$ off to be great.
Tobias Funke
May 11th, 2011
10:02 am
Shonuff
You are only as good as the people you surround yourself with.
Mikey
May 11th, 2011
10:02 am
Schmeckdawg….The only difference is Saban will choose who will get 200 plus touches..again
the yr they won it all ,the feature back touch it 250 times…according to Shonuff Ingram miss
the games last yr….still touch it just as much as a Uga back.This is not working dude…Samething
happen a few yr ago with Powell,Ware another guy….Be a man a choose a back is all i’m saying.
People are on his back anyway.
Shonuff
May 11th, 2011
10:02 am
Thanks, some quarterback not as good as Colt McCoy…that’s all I needed to know…
Lowcountry Bulldawg
May 11th, 2011
10:03 am
Yeah he wouldn’t dare allow his son to go get a free education. He would rather shell out the 150k so his son doesn’t have to hear critique from crazed bloggers. let me tell ya Tony, if your raising your son to be that thin skinned then you are going to have some bigger problems on your hand.
Tobias Funke
May 11th, 2011
10:04 am
Mikey
So what you are saying is that no matter how many times your RB fumbles in the game and outside of the game, you still trust him and give him the rock?
truedawg
May 11th, 2011
10:04 am
I can see BOO getting carries alot this year, he’s a beast! I see him being the starter, mixed with some IC and CK, unless Crowell is the real deal, but who knows
DawginLex
May 11th, 2011
10:06 am
Greene was undefeated aginst Bama LOL
Of course we had a real defense back then. Knocked 2 QB’s out of the game in 2003 in Athens
KBP
May 11th, 2011
10:06 am
Tobias, Did you read clearly what I wrote? I said Greene never should have been forced to share snaps with Shockley. I am giving Greene his very well earned respect as a GREAT college QB.
Dawg in Lex, We’ll agree to disagree on Shockely’s pro-potential. I think he could have been an NFL caliber QB if he had been a 3 year starter. His one year as a starter revealed his vast potential.
7576DAWG
May 11th, 2011
10:07 am
If Ealey becomes a featured back on some other team I hope he is smart enough to know that a more consistent and larger effort will be required on his part. And if he give it why wasn’t the effort there at Georgia.
Tobias Funke
May 11th, 2011
10:08 am
Malcome does look like a beast. I would hate to tackle him. Reminds me alot of LenDale White. A little taller, but he has some “POP!”
DawginLex
May 11th, 2011
10:08 am
KBP,
Maybe but your change to a different team would have taken away the one thing he cherishes most-SEC Championship Ring.
Shonuff
May 11th, 2011
10:08 am
I can’t believe Mike Shula couldn’t beat UGA!!!! That’s a shocker.