UGA: Brent Benedict free to transfer anywhere he wants
Brent Benedict has been granted an unconditional release by the University of Georgia, Athletic Director Greg McGarity confirmed Tuesday.
McGarity
The redshirt freshman offensive lineman from Jacksonville is free to transfer to any school of his choosing, and that includes Florida or Georgia Tech or any of the Bulldogs’ bitter rivals.
Such is the athletic department’s policy under McGarity. If a student-athlete is unhappy at UGA, then he’s free to seek happiness elsewhere, he said.
“I bring the same philosophy as we had at Florida,” said McGarity, who was an associate AD for the Gators for 18 years before returning to his alma mater last year. “If a kid’s not happy, we just want him to be happy. Ninety-nine percent of the time, I don’t care where he goes. These four or five years are the supposed to be the best and most important of these kids’ lives and they need to be happy.”
As for Benedict’s depature, McGarity said, “Things just didn’t work out. I’m sympathetic to that. They just need to be in a happy place.”
There’s at least some chance Benedict, a former five-star recruit, could end up back in the SEC East. Florida and South Carolina were among his finalists — along with Notre Dame, Ohio State and Southern Cal — when he chose the Bulldogs in the fall of 2009. Benedict’s father, Ed Benedict, told the Athens Banner-Herald, “I would imagine some of them would take a look at him again.”
McGarity said UGA would not block Benedict’s transfer anywhere.
“It’s the theory of plenty,” he said. “There’s plenty of good ones everywhere. I don’t worry if they go to Florida or Tech and may come back to beat us. You can’t think that way. Life’s too short. [Student-athletes] are our most valuable resource. If they’re not happy here, I want to see them happy somewhere.”
McGarity said the only situation in which he might block a potential would be if he knew there was some kind of tampering by another school beforehand.
Benedict was a five-star prospect before suffering a devastating knee injury that included nerve damage and a required complete reconstruction his senior season in high school. Benedict claimed in March to be “100 percent” recovered from that injury and was medically cleared to play. But he continued to show effects of that injury even in summer workouts.
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254 comments Add your comment
CHARLOTTE DAWG
June 28th, 2011
4:41 pm
We are on the same page, Contractor, that the leadership is not there in Athens. And that is b/c Richt is not a warrior and does not have the game day attidue other coaches in the SEC have.
My rants are much less about Benedict and much more about Richt and his soft decisions.
Thank you for your feedback/post. I want what everyone else wants on this blog(except for Florida fans that for some reason feel the need to come on here). I guess I just have a different opinion on how we get there.
Very worried that Richt is not the man to bring the trophy to Athens…I am reminded of his softness all the time with articles like this.
Dawg Whisperer
June 28th, 2011
4:42 pm
I agree with AD Greg McGarity’s philosophy on this matter. Mr. McGarity simply applied age learned wisdom that can not be measured in wins and losses or dollars and cents. Weighing the human factor should trump the bottom line even when it may cost you. Good will and diplomacy far outweighs any material loss with this situation. I suspect Mr. McGarity was fully aware of all the circumstances before reaching his decision. Well done.
truedawg
June 28th, 2011
4:47 pm
I don’t look at NC titles as much as SEC titles. UGA has several SEC titles, and one NC in modern times. I don’t think Saban is a bad guy, very arogant, but not evil. Meyer I have some wonders about , along with Chizik. The stories of drug use, the way he steped down. Left me with some questions. but I don’t know the man. Spurrier is a good guy. I question him giving Garcia so many chances. But I don’t think these coaches have a win at all costs, just maybe some lower prices than what the wins go for in Athens. Go Dawgs!!
CHARLOTTE DAWG
June 28th, 2011
4:47 pm
truedawg,
I actually am a hunter. but dropping a buck where I hunt has very harsh consequences…furthermore….I don’t hunt for bloodlust..but for the sport.
So I understand your analogy/point but don’t think it applies here.
I guess what I’m saying is that if you know your competition is playing dirty pool, you either stay in the sand box and play the same game or get the heck out. If we are hell bent on doing things the ethical way and celebrate having a priest for a head coach, then that’s fine…but we should move to the ACC where competition is not as stiff and winning is not at such a premium.
Den of theives guys…that is what the SEC has become. Either get on the bus or jump the heck off….either way…they wheels are going to keep turning. I say we start doing what it takes like other winning programs.
kaput
June 28th, 2011
4:52 pm
Nice move by Georgia! Kudos to you guys for keeping the bigger picture in focus.
Signed, Florida grad.
truedawg
June 28th, 2011
4:56 pm
Was just trying to help.
I think you’ll be hapy this year when you see the wins against USC, UF, and AU..I dunno if we can win at the Dome, but I feel we will make the trip. If the team doesn’ t have injuries and the running game can come along maybe with some luck. GO DAWGS!!!
Whiskey Breath
June 28th, 2011
5:02 pm
Is everbody that leaves Ga a traitor? Man that list is getting long.
How do you leave Ga without being a traitor? I am confused about Kirby. Do you guys hate him or do you want to know if he is available?
P-The-Ricker
June 28th, 2011
5:02 pm
RabidDawgFan @ 1:58PM is right about the reason he left. The new sheriff intown is turning the mush into muscle. Some kids just don’t like to work for it, though Bennedict is obviously at a disadvantage w/ the lingering knee effects.
observation
June 28th, 2011
5:07 pm
BEAST FROM THE EAST
How can you declare yourself as humble with a handle like “Beast from the East?” Btw, is that self-given handle really accurate now?
CHARLOTTE DAWG
June 28th, 2011
5:10 pm
Careful Observation,
he “knows what he’s capable of”. If you are not careful, he will challenge you to an internet fight.
He’s an internet tough guy and coming to a town near you! Watch out
the dude
June 28th, 2011
5:12 pm
NO ONE EVER SAID WHAT HIS PROBLEM WAS. SO LET HIM GO AND SIGN WITH WHOMEVER. QUITE OBVIOUSLY HE COULD NOT CUT IN ATHENS. SO WHO CARES.
Redshirt Freshman OL leaving UGA - VolNation
June 28th, 2011
5:12 pm
[...] Greg McGarity gave him an unconditional release. UGA: Brent Benedict free to transfer anywhere he wants | UGA sports blog [...]
The Playbook
June 28th, 2011
5:13 pm
This just in, he will reveal that the playbook says to kick a fieldgoal inside the opponents 5 yard line on 4th and inches!
ga gator
June 28th, 2011
5:14 pm
I would say everyone needs to take everything that McGarrity learned at UF under Foley, good and bad.
CHARLOTTE DAWG
June 28th, 2011
5:14 pm
Ok Playbook…now that was funny….and pretty much how it probably reads with Richt and Clown boy roaming the sidelines.
DIRTY POOL DAWG
June 28th, 2011
5:16 pm
If you truly believe in “win at all costs”, then the easy way to do this is wait and see who the respective champions in each sport will be, and then pull for that team. For example, last year you would be CHARLOTTE TIGER. Year before last, you were CHARLOTTE TIDE. And before that, CHARLOTTE GATOR. Who know, this year you might be CHARLOTTE JACKET. (not) How’s that for hunting for “sport”?
Ca dawg
June 28th, 2011
5:25 pm
Charlotte dawg: recruiting is a multi-stage game, and pulling benedict’s offer would almost definitely have hurt our chances w John theus. Also: have you ever taken a calculated risk in your line of work? Sometimes they pay off, other times they don’t. The downside of signing Benedict and it not paying off is much lower than the upside of him recovering and developing into the dominant OL we thought he would turn into. My point is that richt’s motives in this case might be more complex than you imagine.
CHARLOTTE DAWG
June 28th, 2011
5:25 pm
well that was just a stupid thing to post…..you are not even making a point.
How does wanting my team to do what it takes to win a NC make me a “Benedict” Arnold turncoat? I wouldn’t be on this blog if Georgia football didn’t mean a lot to me.
Why would you write such a childish thing? B/c you disagree with me? Than say so but without hurling insults. That’s some Dirty Pool….Dirty Pool.
But thanks for reading I guess
CHARLOTTE DAWG
June 28th, 2011
5:28 pm
This is not about Benedict really Ca Dawg…try to keep up. My arguments/rants are on a much larger scale.
It is about the softness of the program and our unwillingness to do what it takes to win….Knoxville, Gainesville, both cow towns in Alabama…they have the attitude…we don’t.
And that worries me.
Ca dawg
June 28th, 2011
5:32 pm
Also: not sure if you saw this, Charlotte,but saban just gave Corey grant an unconditional release and let the kid sign with auburn. Auburn! I guess we aren’t the only ones doing this. Why would a “winner” coach like saban engage in these “soft” tactics? He won’t last long sending top recruits– healthy ones, mind you– to the rival school, right? Right?
Stinger2
June 28th, 2011
5:34 pm
Charlotte Dawg: Your comments are pitiful. You must be a troll.
C from Marietta
June 28th, 2011
5:35 pm
Exactly the problem with the world today. Anyone will be anything for “winning” or “money”. Can me soft or whatever, but lack of intergity is destroying the human race.
GR82BAG8R
June 28th, 2011
5:36 pm
This is a good outcome for UGA. Given his injury, he would never have played at the level he was expected to perform when originally recruited. The numbness probably put him over the edge. UGA fans should be pleased he is gone because you now have a slot for someone better. This is what all major programs hope for – - a player who gets injured and will most likely not make it back to his pre-injury level gives up his scholarship.
It makes you wonder if he was encouraged to ask for his release….
CHARLOTTE DAWG
June 28th, 2011
5:37 pm
Would Saban have stuck with Corey Grant’s scholly after he heard about his devastating knee injury?
Yeah, didn’t think so!
You know it and I know it.
Again, this is much less about Benedict and more about what our program is not compared to other programs that bring in the hardware.
CHARLOTTE DAWG
June 28th, 2011
5:43 pm
Now a Tech fan is on here CALLING me a troll? Are my comments pitiful b/c I expect/demand to win? Does that make me pitiful compared to the likes of you that find beating Georgia 1 out of 10 years acceptable? Oh “but its all about the education and sending our football players to the moon” right buddy?
C from Marietta, YOU ARE RIGHT! But would you rather be ethical or win that 1 championship? I just want one. JUST 1! I wish UGA(or another program)could win it without cheating but that seems to be an fantasy with what we are seeing in the news lately. I don’t want Georgia to be dirty cheaters…I just want them to have the moxy to do what it takes to win…like our rivals do.
Nobody else cares that our neighbors are winning these trophies and we are not? Do you ever ask yourself “why not us”? If you don’t, start today!
GR82BAG8R
June 28th, 2011
5:48 pm
Charlotte Dog, I don’t think any Tech fan would say beating UGA 1 out of 10 years is acceptable, but I don’t think they have the means to really challenge UGA on the field. UGA is not a cheater, but you have to admit it has the means to recruit virtually unchallenged in a state that worships high school football. Whether that is “cheating” depends on how you compare to other states (Florida/FSU/Miami, Alabama/Auburn, USCe/Clemson). UGA is alone in that category. Yet perennial top 10 recruiting classes yield a 6 – 7 season.
Until Tech can win a bowl game – - any bowl game – - they have no room to pick at UGA. After that, until they can beat UGA two years in a row, they should just keep quiet and watch major college football that is played in the SEC, because they sure won’t find it in the ACC. FSU used to be a power, the ACC-itis has infected them….
Ca dawg
June 28th, 2011
5:49 pm
And I know where you’re coming from Charlotte– lots of fans feel like Richt is soft. My point was that it’s probably wrong to interpret the way we handled benedict’s specific situation as evidence that we’ve gone “soft” as a program. Trying to keep my remarks relevant to the article that was posted, and to avoid making unhelpfully vague remarks about our program (and others’ programs).
Stinger2
June 28th, 2011
5:50 pm
Charlotte Dawg: If you are not a troll, then you are greedy. I am a GT fan but I like CMR and the UGA program. No, it is not acceptable to GT fans to lose to UGA 9 time out of 10. However, I don`t ridicule our coaches and program like you are doing yours today. Lighten up and get a life. Its only football. `
Bulldawg Bob
June 28th, 2011
5:53 pm
@CHARLOTTE DAWG: … and after setting a win at all cost approach then maybe you could suggest a fund at all cost approach per Rutger’s and other Big Easts school. Why stop looking for an edge with just being ruthless with scholarships when we can also divert student fees and state subsidies intended for students to the athletic program (see lead story in USA Today 6/28.)
HECKLE
June 28th, 2011
5:53 pm
Is Cromwell still puking????????
Ca dawg
June 28th, 2011
5:58 pm
Charlotte: Alabama was actually among benedict’s committable offers. Check scout, bro. Saban DIDN’T pull the offer; he knows that’s bad business, and so does Richt. You’re just wrong on this one, bro. I know you’ve got a broader narrative about Richt that you’re trying to sell, but you need to use evidence that actually supports your case. This one doesn’t.
Tider
June 28th, 2011
6:01 pm
You all think your coach is so pious and righteous and Saban is a snake huh? That’s the only way Bama wins right? Show me where Saban has ever pulled a scholly from anyone. Now they might not have a FOOTBALL scholly, but they have ALL been given academic scholly’s to continue getting a free education. Isn’t that what it’s really all about? Aren’t you UGA guys all about the academics? Hmmmm. No one is getting thrown out onto the streets. If a free academic scholly isn’t good enough for you…you are more than welcome to find playing time elsewhere (aka Corey Grant).
CHARLOTTE DAWG
June 28th, 2011
6:05 pm
Get a life Singer? You are the one on a Georgia blog. How’s that for a life?
Why don’t you leave the family fight…to the family. Stay out of it insect.
I’m greedy? Georgia hasn’t won an NC since 1980 while UT, UF, Bama, Barn college…and yes even your “We send all our athletes to the moon” institution has won a title since then! It is starting to become too much to take.
Greedy??? I’m freaking starving here! That’s why I’m so dang frustrated. Beating you bugs every November is not enough.
Mr. SEC
June 28th, 2011
6:10 pm
Why are so many people talking about Logan Gray? They both left because of the cancer they help spread in their attitude; they were both going to get some playing time, maybe even start a game or two; but I commend CR for letting both of them go just like Ealey. We have got to start somewhere in the changing of attitudes ar UGA. If it means the transfers of a few, so be it! I have always said, if you don’t want to be here, then do not let the door hit you in the ass, get gone! A good days work, cleaning up the attitides!
Ca dawg
June 28th, 2011
6:14 pm
Tider: I agree w you, and actually mentioned grant earlier in the thread. Some Georgia fans like to exaggerate how clean Richt is and how dirty saban is in order to generate an easy explanation about why bama is up and we are down at the moment. These theories are normally vague in the extreme and tend to do a very poor job explaining actual facts (e.g., the Benedict situation), but this doesn’t stop them.
CHARLOTTE DAWG
June 28th, 2011
6:14 pm
Ca Dawg…scout isn’t the best source as I’ve seen them way off numerous times. With you going to their site and researching Benedict just to prove me wrong actually does not prove Saban didn’t pull the scholly. I can say one thing for sure…the prick definitely lost interest. Saban has no heart and that is why he wins. Sorry but I’m going to remain dubious on your above comment. And he’s afraid of “bad business”? Really? what say you about oversigning? That’s some bad PR, is it not? Guess what? kids, parents..then don’t care. Winning breeds winning.
CHARLOTTE DAWG
June 28th, 2011
6:19 pm
Ca Dawg…then why don’t you enlighten us why Georgia is now bottom tier while programs like Bama went to bottom tier to the upper?
Really, what’s your theory smart guy? Put the Philosophy book down for a second and enlighten us.
Tider: How many scholarships does Bama have on their current football team? What…wait? you can’t say? Maybe it is b/c Nicky won’t tell us.
I hate the Tide and Nick Saban but my god, they are doing something right over there and I’m trying to figure out what it is…..Ca Dawg knows though.
fpice
June 28th, 2011
6:22 pm
Not Mark Richts fault. A good man. No coach. Never to blame
McGarity sucks too.
Bob
June 28th, 2011
6:23 pm
Good luck Mr. Benedict wherever you end up. UGA did the right thing by honoring his scholarship after the injury and were patient. However, we only want players that want to be at UGA and are willing to work hard to earn your $38,000+ P/Y scholarship. An athletic scholarship is a gift, not an entitlement.
Tider
June 28th, 2011
6:34 pm
Actually with the recent losses Bama is going to be under 85. Thanks for asking and throwing out blind accusations while you let someone else do your homework for you. Why do you hate Bama and Saban? What are your exact reasons? UGA is not and has never been a rival of Bama so other than the fact that Bama is a perennial winner and UGA is foundering as a football program I can’t understand where the venom comes from. I think Ca Dawg hit it right on the head. And just because Bama has had some down years please don’t delude yourself. Bama is to SEC football what Kentucky is to SEC basketball.
Notso Fast
June 28th, 2011
6:40 pm
This will help the Bulldogs in the long run. They will get some young men because of this policy. A team that put their players first. Kinda nice.
Cane
June 28th, 2011
6:42 pm
This is a class act. Someone needs to call Coach Golden in Miami.
CHARLOTTE DAWG
June 28th, 2011
6:42 pm
Arrogance(you just displayed it), lying/cheating alumni(didn’t they get you a harsh sentence from the NCAA), having the biggest prick in college football…that good enough for you Tide Boy! A fan base that has predominantly never left the state and therefore is just baffled when they encounter someone that doesn’t pull for “the taaaade”.
And I was referring to the media asking Nicky how many scholly players he has….guess what…he doesn’t answer the question. “under 85″ what’s the exact number? YOu can find out, right?
“Bama is to SEC Football”….that’s another reason right there!
Dirty Dawg
June 28th, 2011
6:44 pm
I don’t know what the deal is with young Mr. Benedict…was it that he had just decided that he didn’t care for being at Georgia, regardless of why…or was it that he and his Dad truly didn’t think that his knee was ready for the kind of work that Joe T was requiring? Regardless, Georgia had to find out what the kid was capable of, and the sooner the better. I mean how many others have been given three years to try and come back from a HS injury? I don’t know, but I doubt if there are more than a hand-full, ever. By the way, I doubt if Joe T could be as tough as Sam Mrvos was…and the kids survived. Sometimes you’ve got to find out who’s gonna be able to get the job done, and if there was ever a year to know that, this is it. Just remember the ‘Junction Boys’ was the making of Alabama’s winning tradition.
fpice
June 28th, 2011
6:45 pm
This is BS. Richt and McGarity must go.
CHARLOTTE DAWG
June 28th, 2011
6:46 pm
Junction Boys played for A&M I thought. But I get the point made.
Tider
June 28th, 2011
6:46 pm
Arrogance is not to be confused with truth. Check the SEC record books sport. Look who is on top of EVERY major category.
Logan Young was not an alumni nor ever set foot in an Alabama classroom.
Not sure what your third “point” even means.
What else ya got wonder boy? Glad there are some intelligent and rational Dawg fans on there because by the nature of your arguments you spent as much time in a UGA classroom as Young did in Tuscaloosa.
Dirty Dawg
June 28th, 2011
6:48 pm
Allow me to ‘rephrase’ that ‘Junction Boys’ statement…it wasn’t Alabama’s tradition, it was A&M’s, but it ‘made’ Bear Bryant.
Bob
June 28th, 2011
6:53 pm
@fpice…I think Richt should have been fired last year, but why McGarity? How many of these welfare cases have we had on the team with Richt as head coach, sucking down a scholarship while never contributing nor expecting to contribute? As a looooong time contributor, I’m tired of subsidising these goldbricks.
Ca dawg
June 28th, 2011
6:55 pm
Charlotte– actually it does prove that (other sites corroborate it, too), but let’s not fight over facts. I wish I had the theory you’re looking for, but I don’t. One thing that is clear, however, is that it’s easier to conquer than to hold, easier to build a successful program than to sustain one. Winning does not not always breed winning; success peaks and then tapers off. Compare richts record from his first three years to saban’s at bama and at lsu; compare it to chizik’s first two years at auburn. Theyre not far apart.
Don’t forget that were on the same side, man. I’ve been alarmed, like many, about the lack of discipline on and off the field; I was just as mad as you when we folded in the 4th quarter against auburn and SC. It’s frustrating. But I don’t find your explanation convincing and I don’t think many of us on here do either.