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

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.

456 comments Add your comment

Auburn fans are horrible...

May 11th, 2011
11:21 am

In other words Washaun is saying “I play football for me…not a team.”

Glad to be rid of this fool. Wasn’t there a story last year during one of his suspensions about how he had planned to be drafted after his Junior year? Yeah…he really just doesn’t get it–does he?

It is kind of a shame…we probably passed on a back that wanted to play at UGA to get him too.

Scam Newton

May 11th, 2011
11:22 am

Hey Dave you forgot to mention the 180,000 dollars Auburn donated to Scam and Cecil !!!!!!!!!

truedawg

May 11th, 2011
11:26 am

Enter your comments here

NYCDAWGFAN

May 11th, 2011
11:55 am

Premier back? Really Ealey? There is only one superstar back that fumbles (not on the goal line) and his name is Adrian Peterson… Brotha you ain’t a Adrian Peterson, hell you ain’t the Adrian Peterson that went to GA southern. I hate ME players, hate them. I actually would like it if he did transfer within the conference that way Tree, Jarvis, Cornelius, and Big John could lay the wood to him… At least that way his fumbles would actually help the dawgs for once. GO DAWGS

Red and Black til Death

Just letting you know from Columbus

May 11th, 2011
12:08 pm

I as a life long UGA fan is always proud of our Columbus sons committing, signing and playing for the Dawgs. However the comments from many of these uneducated “so called fans” are just embarrassing. A kid committed to play for UGA, and along with his ups and downs did provide some great moments on the football field. Shame on anyone for slamming a kid who wants to play a game that has brought him satisfaction and attention. This young man came to UGA and on occasion made us proud.

Now onto the young man from Columbus who signed with UGA. IC is a good player, some say great, but those of us who have witnessed his rise from 8th grade player to the top running back in the country in 2010 we can truthfully say that this young man has some serious baggage issues. IC is a prima donna(: a vain or undisciplined person who finds it difficult to work under direction or as part of a team ). Ask around Columbus and with some of his real teachers and they will tell you he is not this great personality with skills that exude leadership skills. We all want him to do well, but he has over and over again one to blame teammates for his failures and has a tendency( a strong tendancy) to lose his temper. That part of his psyche will have to be adjusted. Just ask The University of Florida what happens when prima donnas enter the program, the attitudes of these young High School All Americans have to be changed. I can tell you this kid is trouble and if CMR does not put him on a very short leash the day he walks on campus the problems will soon follow.

Now, the injury issue, IC has a tendency to take ‘dives” when he is not getting “his yards”. He uses the “hurt” excuse more than you guys realize.
As a fan and being from Columbus, I hope he makes us proud and gets us to the next level, but my doubts are building as each day to opening kickoff grows closer.

schmeckdawg

May 11th, 2011
12:15 pm

Just letting you know from Columbus

Then why did pretty much every school in the country want this kid? I would hope that the coaches that recruited him did their due diligence. Did the folks at Carver-Columbus lie to protect him? Just curious as what you have posted does not sound very attractive.

Chris

May 11th, 2011
12:16 pm

What a moron!

Washan, if you want to be premiere at ANYTHING, maybe you should start by trying to be a premiere citizen.

Here’s some suggestions. Maybe you should try not driving with a suspended license, try not leaving the scene of an accident, try not fumbling the ball all the damn time, and try listening to your coach and do the right thing.

No one will ever give you much of a chance with your track record. You are ignorant, and good riddance.

NYCDAWGFAN

May 11th, 2011
12:33 pm

Just letting you know from Columbus: Bro, Ealey deserves to be slammed… Sorry if you feel otherwise. I respect your position on IC as I am not from Columbus or anything like that… But I am from a town close to Stillmore (ECI) so I have the same perspective on Ealey as you do Crowell and I can tell you that the kid has always ALWAYS been a me player and a problem… Actually both of the kids that we signed that year (Moody was the other) out of ECI were headaches. Moody just saved us the trouble by getting expelled and having his scholarship pulled before he ever stepped on Campus. I also know 2 guys (1 graduated last year) that play for the Dawgs and Ealey’s demeanor and attitude have always been an issue. Sorry bro, but if you want to be a man and break the law, etc. you can also be a man and take the criticisms that come with the job…. So like I was saying, who else would like to see Tree lay him out with a Ronnie Lott type hit?:O)

Red and Black til Death

NOBODYYOUKNOW

May 11th, 2011
12:38 pm

He an’t all that. You better get your priorities in order my friend. Good luck whereever you end up. I hope its not jail.

tony

May 11th, 2011
12:42 pm

Feb 07, 2011
By Erick Smith, USA TODAY

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution relayed the following from Crowell’s visit to Athens last month. The Carver (Columbus, Ga.) standout was in Richt’s office with his mother. Out of the window, the three of them could see players in formation on the practice field.

There was only one thing missing: a running back. Richt then escorted Crowell to the field, gave him a jersey with his name on it and asked him if he wanted the spot. Then Richt asked if he could himself playing for the Bulldogs in the opener against Boise State at the Georgia Dome.

“Yes, sir, I can,” Crowell responded.

A true man of God wouldn’t anoint someone before they prove their worth and a true man of God certainly wouldn’t expose a person’s short coming knowing it would be manipulate by insensitive people.

Lowcountry Bulldawg

May 11th, 2011
12:47 pm

Tony,

You are just dumb. He was using a sales technique on IC. All college head coaches use SALES TECHNIQUES. He was helping IC envision what it would be like for him to be the man in the backfield. To confuse the two as you did shows just how much of a small thinker you are. Good job for becoming the mental midget of the day.

NYCDAWGFAN

May 11th, 2011
12:58 pm

Im with ya on that Lowcountry. Sorry Tony, but your post doesn’t make dollars or sense. And Ealey “exposed” himself. In the state of GA there is a thing called the Freedom of information act… This is why UGA football issues are always in the news while The UF Gayterds aren’t. Like I said, if you are man enough to have that type of attitude, mess up off the field, and did mention the fumbles yet… Yeah, I did. You also have to be man enough to take the criticisms. Richt only stated things that we already knew…. We knew that he has been arrested and had other discipline issues, we knew he was a fumbler, and we knew that he didn’t want to be man enough to serve his punishment (running in the a.m.). All coach did was answer a direct question about the kid… And I like the fact that he was completely blunt and honest. This has nothing to do with Religion, God, or being a man of God… This has everything to do with being a MAN period!

Red and Black til Death

Red and Black til Death

gdawginkalamazoo

May 11th, 2011
12:59 pm

Yes, the Dawg nation embraces the kids that don’t want to be a part of it!

And the REAL TRUTH about the transfer….. Crowell wants to wear #4 and guess who the odd man out is!

gdawginkalamazoo

May 11th, 2011
1:01 pm

Tony, It’s good to know that Erik Smith from USA Today is a true man of God. Thanks for info.

NYCDAWGFAN

May 11th, 2011
1:04 pm

gdawginkalamazoo

Where did you hear that? I heard from multiple sources on scout that he wants and will be wearing #1 and that he and Brandon Smith will wear #1

gdawginkalamazoo

May 11th, 2011
1:11 pm

NYCDAWGFAN, just kidding about that. I have no idea what number Crowell wants to wear. I guess if he and Smith are wearing #1 then they won’t be on the field together on offense.

JDog

May 11th, 2011
1:13 pm

James 2:9

“Favoritism is a sin”

NYCDAWGFAN

May 11th, 2011
1:14 pm

That’s my problem with it. Imagine if we could have them both out there at the same time… Nice lil double reverse :O) Something serious… But, and I do trust my buddies on scout, apparently Coach Richt has already stated that he will get number 1. Also, big John Jenkins will be wearing a small number too. I believe he is wearing #6

Red and Black til Death

Tebow2

May 11th, 2011
2:18 pm

If Ealey thinks that great, but let is not as good as he is quoting there. He just is not a workhorse type RB.

Brewton Dog83

May 11th, 2011
2:27 pm

In the current UGA offense a good tailback must do two things…hold on to the ball…and…pick-up and make the block on a blitz…Ealey never did those two things on a consistent basis. He may have better luck at a lower level!

The REAL Phil

May 11th, 2011
2:30 pm

Tony you’re a moron. You wouldn’t know a man of God if you ran into him on the street and he had a bell around his neck

Chip Towers

May 11th, 2011
2:31 pm

RE: CALEB KING ELIGIBILITY, ETC: Spring semester exams were completed Tuesday night. Final grades are not posted until Monday.

AfghanHound

May 11th, 2011
2:35 pm

Chris, what’s your advice to Christian LeMay on being a good citizen? Notice you did not call him out.

AfghanHound

May 11th, 2011
2:38 pm

Why not transfer to UNC? I hear they are going to have a “whoop-ass” OL this year, as well as a strong DL. Only question is at RB. QB is a real talent as well.

Cliff

May 11th, 2011
2:52 pm

I wish Washaun the best and hope he gets all off-field issues resolved. He wasn’t perfect by any means, but he was a productive, contributing player and certainly has the talent to contribute somewhere else.

The Ghost of Wally Butts

May 11th, 2011
3:02 pm

Maybe the Cincinati Bengals will draft him. He’d fit right in with that crowd.

fishook dawg

May 11th, 2011
4:04 pm

Looks like Georgia needs to quit recruiting ECI. They signed Dexter Moody & Ealey the same year out of high school, and now both of them are gone.

Gdawg

May 11th, 2011
4:26 pm

Just GOOOOOOOOOOOO.

Douche Bag Trolls!

May 11th, 2011
4:32 pm

Poor guy! CMR will run one back if somebody would step the F up! These kids today kill me with there entitled way of thinking. You could have been a top drafted RB, 3rd round or higher. Bad move sir, you have just ruined your chances of potentially having a good career in FB. The real world will chew you up and Sh!$ you out young man. Better get tough.

It Ain't Rocket Science

May 11th, 2011
4:43 pm

How do you think his team mates felt when they knew Ealey was noy going all out at practices and had the “ME” attitude? Was this good for the team? Sure he has the physical talent but let’s face it, he was not a team player. He played a good game when he felt like it, and it appears it wasn’t enough times to truely help the DAWGS. UGA needs good team support from everybody in order to have a successful year this year. If one of the 11 pieces on the offense is not playing for the team, especially at a critical job like RB, the whole team is affected. I hope he matures at wherever he lands, but I think unless his attitude improves, I don’t expect to see him at the next level. How long would a pro. coach put up with him?
UGA has had an addition by subtraction in Ealey’s case. Good luck man, and I hope the lights come on in time for him. If not, he can look back on the opportunities he let get away and point the finger at the person who caused his problems. His finger will be pointed inward at himself.

Jimmy Avera

May 11th, 2011
5:10 pm

Sounds like what I suspected all along. This young man is self-centered and not a team player. All for me and none for us!!!

dog gone

May 11th, 2011
5:26 pm

Does he get a diploma anyway?

Big Bad Bob

May 11th, 2011
5:33 pm

Glad to see you leave Selfshaun. It was players like you that caused the team to have a losing season last year. Getting rid of you should help the team attitude tremendously. A high school coach told me when Shelfshaun was a senior that he would never make it at UGA. He said players nor coaches liked him because of his attitude. Looks like he knew what he was talking about.

Wolfman

May 11th, 2011
5:44 pm

“I (get) run (out of) this state!”… What a mouth!

SEC1

May 11th, 2011
5:52 pm

Wash-Gone:

I’m not feeling your vibe either. Move along and grow up.

lars134

May 11th, 2011
6:00 pm

A premier RB would have risen to the challenge (by not giving up), by being more reliable, more responsible, and showing your true self by setting the example. Hey, maybe you are not perfect! Hmmmm ….

You are a decent running back, but evidently the coaches can’t trust you. You are leaving your one chance behind you my friend ~ running on the field is your best chance. In life? No way ~ get your act together and become who you can be! Good luck!

FlyDog

May 11th, 2011
6:18 pm

Said Cam was selfish for leaving Florida too. He wasn’t. Superstars are a different breed. They want to dominant, imagine that.

Cam Newton got trashed when he left Florida.

Ealey will be fine, likely ends up at Tenn, Aub, LSU, Oklahoma, UCF, or some other top 25 ranked ranked team that believes in running the ball.

FlyDog

May 11th, 2011
6:19 pm

Everyobdy said Georgia would be better when Mettenberger left the team. Bad apple gone. More wins right? Nope, won 2 games less.

Same story here. Richt wins no more than 5 games without Ealey.

Why? Ealey’s not the problem, anymore than Mettenberger was the problem.

Bill

May 11th, 2011
7:26 pm

Glad the cancer of the team has decided to depart! I wish him well as he spews his toxic attitude onto another team! Too bad it couldn’t be Florida!

filtar

May 11th, 2011
7:29 pm

obviouslly hes never had to work hard to get something. he may end up at another school but if he wants a starting job anywhere what coach at the d-1 level is just gonna hand him the majority of carries and not be frowned on by the team?

David

May 11th, 2011
8:05 pm

We do not need trouble maker on this team, we need wins on the scoreboard which was fewer than I want the past two years.

It Ain't Rocket Science

May 11th, 2011
8:16 pm

Flydog,

If all you are concerned about is immediate wins then yes, UGA did not get better. If however, you think that team chemistry will not be better with Ealey gone, you are dead wrong. UGA may not win all their games but they can lose and learn as a team. For those young folks that want an education and at the same time participate in football, team work is important. It will show this year I believe.
I notice how you failed to mention that UGA was in the first year of a new defensive scheme last year and had a RS Freshman QB, but he still managed to do fairly well. For some reason and I can’t even speculate why, their offensive line was, well offensive. If those three areas improve which I believe they will, UGA will do pretty good this year. Simplly stating your position without providing any facts, just shows people you do not like UGA. What school do you favor and grace with your highest praise? Please do not say tech. OK

GO DAWGS

tony

May 11th, 2011
8:43 pm

NYCDAWGFAN, what are you talking about young man. Who said anything about the law?

February 27th, 2011 7:17 pm ET .
By Mike Tierney

Well, that was quick. The University of Georgia lifted wayward running back Washaun Ealey’s suspension from the program after 20 days, which begs the question: Why was the penalty publicized in the first place?

Here is why: The punishment turned out not be as painful for Ealey as the fact that it was announced, which has turned public sentiment against the talented underachiever. Richt could have kept this under wraps; after all, Ealey missed no games or practices, so who would have noticed? Sometimes, folks can be scared straight by exposing their failings.

Jesus would have kept this private.

@Lowcountry Bulldawg, watch yourself kid. Here’s what a gator fan had to say about this issure.

by soflagator » Tue May 10, 2011 11:08 am

My guess is we won’t be hearing from Mrs SEC in this thread.

And yes, Ealey was a total punk in his brief time in athens. Oh well, he gave up a chance to be 0-4 against UF.

But as for these recent attitude issues, there’s more to it than just typical headcase stuff. The recruiting violation that was most recently handed out to Richt came from a game-day simulation during Crowell’s visit. He had the whole team line up in a formation, but without a RB. The message was clear…and also a slap in the face of Ealey, King and Malcome(RsFr). If I’m a starting RB who helped my team win games, and my coach basically told a 17 year old that the team didn’t even have a RB, I’d be insulted by that as much as he was.

Bottomline, he may be a punk. But his dismissal is now is a joke. Richt stooped low to get Crowell’s signature, even offering IC’s 2* cousin a scholly. Very poorly played by a guy that’s supposed to have so much class(or is it character?). It will be classic when it blows up in his face like most of his other brilliant moves.

I don’t agree with what he said about Crowell’s cousin because the young man is a very good football player. Do you think Nick Saban would have done this to Trent Richardson? I doubt it. Bottomline, it was provocative and unchristian like..

WinderDawg

May 11th, 2011
9:22 pm

Dave – Are you really comparing Ealey to H. Walker? HW averaged 5.7 yds per carry when everyone in the stadium knew who was getting the ball! HW went to school, HW never drove without a license! HW never missed required meetings! HW was the ultimate team player that did what ever was asked of him. W.E.has to grow up and understand that 90 other people on his team depend on his decisions on and off the field!

D-Dawg66

May 11th, 2011
9:31 pm

Washaun,
If you want to be a “premier” anything, you first better learn to have “premier hustle” and “premier behavior”.

For the record

May 11th, 2011
10:14 pm

No back at UGA has had 1000 carries like Herschel Walker recently because we had other offensive weapons like AJ GREEN and numerous TEs.. nor do we have the amazingly consistent o-lines like in the past.. Washaun needs to learn that nothing in life comes easy and those who put everything they have into something typically succeed.. like Herschel.

PTree

May 11th, 2011
10:20 pm

Richt didn’t see greatness in Ealey, Meyer didn’t see it in Newton.

Need a coach who believes in you.

Gen Neyland

May 11th, 2011
10:38 pm

If memory serves my aging brain cells, HW sat out the first half against Tennessee 1980 due to Vince’s deal of not starting true freshmen. From the second half of that game til current eternity, no fan of college foortball will forget the story. Until someone wearing Silver britches brings back that loving feeling in Athenstown by proving they belong in the same paragraph, IMHO, I’d with-hold a comparison…

7576DAWG

May 12th, 2011
2:01 am

UGA Insider
I totally agree that CMR is putting his entire future at Georgia on the line by staying with Bobo. That decision just doesn’t make any since at all. With so many other programs looking for head coaches in the off season , not a one ask to even talk to Bobo. And it seemed his play calling got more and more mind blowing the more pressure he was under. I was very surprised that McGarity did not see that CMR is too close a friend to make an intelligent decision and just tell CMR that Bobo could stay as quarterback coach but a new offensive coordinator was been hired.
What I think will happen is Grantham will have such a great defense that any offensive coordinator will end up with a great results with offensive stats. A lot of poor coaching on the offensive side can be masked and covered up with a great defense.

NYCDAWGFAN

May 12th, 2011
2:19 am

Tony: Tony, tony, tony (said with a disappointing head shake not like the R&B group). Are you knocking down an 8 ball off of a Gideon’s hotel Bible before every post? Really? First, and foremost, THIS ISSUE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH RELIGION!!! NOTHING!! Ya dig? I stated facts about his guys very checkered past to prove my point that A. He should be outta town and B. That he deserves most of the criticism that he is receiving on blogs like this…. And I have to say that I think I did a damn good job of doing so, Somebody, anybody, can I get a witness? Sorry, I went Cecil “Pimpin in Hell” Newton on you.. But really dude, please get more informed when you post with real college sports fans (notice I didn’t say DAWG fans because a few other programs are represented on this blog). You completely stayed away from my facts and personal knowledge of his checkered past while at ECI, while still saying that Coach Richt stooped too low for Crowell. Let’s visit more facts in the hopes that you will learn something other than posting articles and blogs from others… Who knows, you may actually come up with an original idea… Crowell was the number 1 back in the nation for a reason.. The kid has it all.. Trust me he does.. I have seen to many NFL players in high school to be wrong about that, actually (and some of my friends that have read my posts already know this) I am related to one of the most prolific high school running backs in our nations history (T.A. McClendon {personal note, come on cuz get your life together}) Ok, I understand you say that he is a prima donna and wants the ball and places blame and etc… Check it bro, I’ll give you one example of a player who had similar personality traits but (as far as scouting is concerned) less talent, I was in the Augusta area around the time that T.W. Josey won the state. The star of that team was a then called “prima donna” that got away with things and (so they say) would be rude to teachers, etc. His name is Deon Grant.. Look at where he is now… Is it sinking in yet? A lot of the elite talents of the game carry that trait and it comes from many things: people kissing your tail to get a piece of the pie, the pressure of being “the star”, but the biggest contributor is the fact that these elite athletes have a competitive instinct and nature that is obviously far past your ability to comprehend.. There was a prima donna that went to UNC in the 80’s… What was his name?… Oh yeah, Michael Jordan… Damn, he didn’t amount to anything, right? Truth is MJ calmed down a lot when teammate Bill Cartwright told him to chill or he would break his legs at the knees… Most of these cats will encounter something like this in life that will get them to simmer down a bit, so I have no worries about Crowell and his attitude. He will come in and show the world who really Runs This State!! So Tony, in closing, I just ask that you research a bit more and choose your battles a lil better.. You playin with real DAWGS on this board, and buddy we bite.

Red and Black til Death