Georgia FS Jakar Hamilton transferring; ‘needs fresh start’

ATHENS – Georgia safety Jakar Hamilton is leaving the football program.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound senior from Johnston, S.C., confirmed that news to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Tuesday.

Hamilton, a former junior college transfer, was sitting out via medical redshirt this season due to a stress fracture in his ankle that developed in preseason camp. Unable to compete while other players have been asserting themselves at his position, Hamilton said he simply read the writing on the wall.

“It’s just personal issues, really,” said Hamilton, who started five games at free safety last season and played in all 13. “I was hurt and wasn’t going to be able to play this season and I just played it all out in my mind. [Bacarri] Rambo is having a good season, Shawn Williams is having a good season and they both have another year. And other guys are coming in.

“I just felt like I needed a new start and start fresh with another team.”

Hamilton said he plans to transfer but at this point does not know where he might end up.

“I’ve got a couple of schools in mind, but I’ve got to talk to my parents and see where I might best fit in. I’m pretty close to graduating so I’m trying to get my degree first and foremost.”

Hamilton said he met with head coach Mark Richt and they mutually agreed this was the best move for him. He was leaving UGA immediately and heading home.

Hamilton insisted that the decision was not prompted by any disciplinary issues.

“No disciplinary problems,” he said. “There have been some occasions that I might have had some attitude issues or whatever. But this really is just a case of me needing a fresh start.”

Hamilton, who starred at Strom Thurmond High School, transferred to Georgia after spending two seasons at Georgia Military College in Milledgille. A junior college All-American, he transferred to Georgia in 2010 and recorded 27 tackles and an interception last season.

247 comments Add your comment

Big Wally Butts

September 20th, 2011
2:54 pm

Get off of the young man. He is making a decision that is best for him given his circumstances. I thank him for his contribution to the program and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors. He only has one more year to try to impress the pros and with the injury and falling behind, he may not get too much playing time his final year. What would you do? Probably the same thing.

bugsquacher

September 20th, 2011
2:55 pm

good luck young man! not a bad decision based on GEORGIA’S CURRENT PERFORMANCES…

1-GEORGIA is a combined 0-5 against Top 25 teams in 2010 and 2011
2- GEORGIA has lost 10 of its last 12 against ranked teams. (2-10 record)
3- GEORGIA is now 15-14 in his last 29 games
4-GEORGIA is 6-10 in the past 16 SEC games.
5- GEORGIA is 3-5 in their last 8 games going back to last season
6- GEORGIA has won 1 of it last 4. (and it wasnt a powerhouse we beat today)

BobDog

September 20th, 2011
2:57 pm

All the best to you, Jakar.

@D A Double- no mention that he is quitting school mid-semester. Just that he is leaving the team. I hope he succeeds in getting his degree.

G

September 20th, 2011
2:57 pm

He’s a kitty cat. Just quit instead of working towards some playing time. Im tired of mediocrity and feel good stories. He wasted a scholarship for two years. Time to wake up Dawg fans.

dogbone

September 20th, 2011
2:58 pm

Hate to say it,but the program is a sinking ship………. Another sub-par season with top athletic players……….

WnE

September 20th, 2011
2:58 pm

re: BobDog

Reading is fundamental:

from the article:

” He was leaving UGA immediately and heading home.”

WnE

September 20th, 2011
2:58 pm

re: BobDog

Reading is fundamental:

from the article:

” He was leaving UGA immediately and heading home.”

Big Wally Butts

September 20th, 2011
2:59 pm

ol dog @2:50

The posters (haters) here are not Ga fans. Atlanta area has a lot of fans of other teams and they seem to have nothing better to do than to trash Georgia, the coaching staff and the players all while hidden behind their keyboards.

VALDOSTADAWG

September 20th, 2011
3:00 pm

Sombody tell that boy to come to Valdosta State he will see playing time!

G

September 20th, 2011
3:00 pm

He’s a kitty cat. Just quit instead of working towards some playing time. Im tired of mediocrity and feel good stories. He wasted a scholarship for two years. Time to wake up Dawg fans.

AltamahaDawg

September 20th, 2011
3:03 pm

Good luck young man. BTW, why on earth would you have offered up “There have been some occasions that I might have had some attitude issues or whatever.” If that was an issue, no need to put it out there. If it was nothing, you just made it sound like it was.

Bob

September 20th, 2011
3:04 pm

Damn, most of you guys are wrong both ways. First of all Jakar is hurt and is missing the whole season. During his down time he can see other good players moving up and he knows breaking back into the starting line up next year may not be possible….This guy has played everywhere he’s been. Can’t blame him for wanting to continue that by going some where else with the limited time he has left.. Jakar a good player, injuries have just changed his path, happens alot. Now, you can’t blame that on Richt, and letting him go, frees up another scholly for a new 4-5 year player…..maybe even a 3 year stud…best out come for both. Another year on the bench would not have helped us or Jakar. Quit slamming a Dawg that played hard for us last year and at least give him the respect to chose his own path after a major injury. And realize that this is a case of good for both parties….

dogbone

September 20th, 2011
3:05 pm

The program is a sinking ship with cmr & bobo…………

LCDawg

September 20th, 2011
3:06 pm

see ya “hitman”….playing in the SEC is just a wee bit harder than JC. Your lame tude won’t be missed either.

G

September 20th, 2011
3:06 pm

He made a commitment , man up and stick to it!

G

September 20th, 2011
3:08 pm

Do you think they stand behind losers who quit in Tuscaloosa or Baton Rouge or Gainesville. No. We have an attitude problem all around!

Big Dirty Dawg

September 20th, 2011
3:09 pm

Dbag trolls hating on any college player deserves to be deported to Syria or Libya asap!!!

Dawg Tired

September 20th, 2011
3:09 pm

Read – He left shool – at least that is wha the article says!

“He was leaving UGA immediately and heading home.” Sounds like he is doing more than LEAVING THE FOOTBALL PROGRAM!

So don’t accuse me of being stupid.

Frank Lane

September 20th, 2011
3:10 pm

I think that it is a good sign rather than a bad sign that we are losing players. Make room new players. Notice that we have not had an arrest this year YET. Maybe we are just reducing down to the players with good attitudes.

falcon

September 20th, 2011
3:11 pm

hey hit man, can you take Bobo with you?

Really Haters??

September 20th, 2011
3:14 pm

I mean really…the more you post the better we look!

Gay Dawg

September 20th, 2011
3:14 pm

Good riddance….some people cannot hack the big leagues.

Matthews Dawg

September 20th, 2011
3:18 pm

D A DoubleU G….i believe that he just wants to play football and he isn’t going to be able to do that at UGA. I don’t think it’s about keeping players in the system, it’s about a kid wanting to play and it isn’t happening here. We don’t hear about it at other schools because the players that leave those schools don’t see playing time either and it is not a big deal.

I do wish him luck and he needs to get his degree! The business world is tough and you better have a degree in this day and age. Good luck and go Dawgs!

t.e.a.m.

September 20th, 2011
3:19 pm

Attitude is everything.

Randall "Pink" Floyd

September 20th, 2011
3:24 pm

He wants to play football while he still can. He can’t do it at UGA. It’s as simple as that. Good luck, Jakar.

Spike 80DF

September 20th, 2011
3:24 pm

Good luck Jakar. He’s right, playing time would be tough to come by next year with all the young DB’s. It opens up a scholly for someone else….Are we limited to only signing 25 new guys even if we have more schollys than that available? Does anyone know the new rules about signing?

ol dog

September 20th, 2011
3:25 pm

t.e.a.m. That is important for fans to remember also.

tony

September 20th, 2011
3:25 pm

1)Brent Benedict-OL(4 star) – S&C was never the problem.
2)Jakar Hamilton-S(4 star)
3)Washaun Ealey-RB(4 star) – Ealey fumbles 1st time in his career fans get down on him. Crowell fumbles 1st time in his career fans keeps an undertone. I got news for you…..when Crowell taunts the opposition just maintain that undertone.
4)Marcus Dowtin-LB(4-star) They sure can use this guy.
5)A.J. Harmon-OT(4 star) They sure can use this guy.
6)Dontavius Jackson-RB (4 star)
7) Nick Williams-LB (4 star)
8)Logan Gray-QB (4 star)

That’s eight 4 star athletes to leave the program in 2011. What other program have had that many players to leave their team in a single season. Have Saban, Les Miles, Gene Chizik or Steve Spurrier ever had that many players to leave their team in a single season? Another reason why change is needed.

Matthews Dawg

September 20th, 2011
3:26 pm

bugsquacher and dogbone…..give it a rest! you two come on here everyday popping off! Just like a few others (tide roll) who will be on here, saying the same old tired crap! You don’t like UGA or CMR, fine, turn the page or go back on the Tech site, UF site, Bama site, somewhere other than here. I bet most don’t read what you say. I DO NOT read your blogs either. It takes 3 words and I see it’s the same junk. It’s not working, the SHIP is NOT sinking. Time will tell and show you!

Go Dawgs!!

can ya read?

September 20th, 2011
3:27 pm

This to “WOW”, It’s YOU that needs to learn how to read – the article says he’s leaving UGA — what part of –”IMMEDIATELY and HEADING HOME”– do you not understand? Now can we blast the kid for being QUITTER?

Spike 80DF

September 20th, 2011
3:27 pm

we gave 8 schollys to walk-ons this year that won’t get them next year so we should be able to sign a bunch of new guys next year with seniors leaving and attrition right?

Gay Dawg

September 20th, 2011
3:27 pm

Good luck Jakar. i remmeber going to Alabama and hating it. I was chastized so i transferred to those gayfriendly dawgs and met Randy my first semester. Those were the days.

Gay Dawg

September 20th, 2011
3:28 pm

spike800…..you have 25 spots a year. moron.

bruce mac

September 20th, 2011
3:29 pm

Bla Bla Bla, turn out the lights, the party is over.

Spike 80DF

September 20th, 2011
3:29 pm

gaydawg, how did you and your tech buddies like dragoncon?

Matthews Dawg

September 20th, 2011
3:30 pm

tony….are you at practice? are you in meetings? are you anywhere close to Athens? Does CMR or any other coach invite you into meetings or even meet with you at anytime?

The ANSWER to all the above is NO!! I’m not in those meetings too, etc… Maybe they were problems, maybe they have bad attitudes, etc… They don’t want to be a Dawg, then best of luck to them. Just don’t act like you know what is going on! Every program has there issues. We are moving in the right direction!

Go Dawgs!!

bruce mac

September 20th, 2011
3:30 pm

Oh yea, and the Braves too.

RxDawg

September 20th, 2011
3:31 pm

Jakar “the sit man” Hamilton

Good luck to the young man, sorry it didn’t work out. You better get a degree son.

LkB

September 20th, 2011
3:31 pm

The reason so many are leaving is they feel entitled and do not want to compete for the starting job. Good ridance to all these lazy kids. I would rather have a 3 star athlete that wants to compete day in and day out then these little girls that think the starting jobs are theirs just because they signed a LOI.

SEC expansion

September 20th, 2011
3:34 pm

Good luck Jakar and ignore the fake fans from other teams on here, they have bad cases of Georgia envy.

gomdawg

September 20th, 2011
3:35 pm

If you cannot compete then go , thats the kind of player we don’t need. Wants the job without earning it

Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville

September 20th, 2011
3:37 pm

UGA is 1-7 in its last 8 games away from Athens

Maybe he is tired of re-reading the Energy Vampire book after a loss and thats why he is leaving

tony

September 20th, 2011
3:38 pm

Matthews Dawg
September 20th, 2011
3:30 pm
____________________________________________

Name 1 program that had 8 players to leave their program. Good luck on your search.

augdawg

September 20th, 2011
3:41 pm

Good riddance. He was all about Jakar and not about team. GA can do better.

King Gator

September 20th, 2011
3:43 pm

Good luck JH, get that degree too!

15 games, 6 W's and 9 losses

September 20th, 2011
3:43 pm

Good work tony, didn’t realize it was that many. When did King leave?

Ricardo Cabeza

September 20th, 2011
3:44 pm

Sorry to see anyone leave the program but I wish him the best. Life is more than football for most people, son.

bitter grantham

September 20th, 2011
3:44 pm

jay-car—–take CRAVELL with you———————both are loooosssers—–hahahahahahahah

————goooooooooooooo—-dawwwwwggggggggggggsssssssssss

Gay Dawg

September 20th, 2011
3:45 pm

spike8000 – i went to UGA…heck the Buttsmear building was practically named after me. I guess you went to Southern or West georgia…sad.

Douglas Dawg

September 20th, 2011
3:46 pm

I have a hard time with someone quitting. Call it what you want. The “Hitman” wasn’t going to see the field so instead of working harder and helping the team “I want a fresh start”. UGA gave you a free ride and you want to bail. Give me a 2 star with a love of UGA and a lot of heart any day of a JUCO transfer like Jakar.