Ken Malcome, Derek Owens become latest Bulldogs to leave program
ATHENS – Two more Georgia football players have decided to continue their careers elsewhere.
Ken Malcome, a redshirt freshman running back from Decatur, and Derek Owens, a sophomore cornerback from Jacksonville, both asked head coach Mark Richt to be released from their scholarships and are seeking transfers. Including safety Jakar Hamilton, that’s now three players who have left the program during this season.
Owens’ departure was expected and has been in motion for a few days. Malcome’s decision was an obvious disappointment for Richt.
“[Malcome] walked into my office just prior to practice and felt like he had gotten so far behind in the competition at his position, he felt like he needed to go to another school and get a fresh start and maybe get a better opportunity to play,” Richt said Wednesday. “So that’s where we are on that.”
Malcome, an all-state player at Southwest DeKalb High, was expected to step to the forefront this season with Georgia’s attrition at tailback. But after Washaun Ealey and Caleb King exited the program, Malcome fell behind true freshman Isaiah Crowell, junior Carlton Thomas and former walkon Brandon Harton on the depth chart in preseason camp. He did not the make travel roster for Ole Miss and finishes his Georgia career with one carry for zero yards.
Richt said he’d welcome back Malcome back if the player changed his mind.
“If Ken came to me tomorrow and said, ‘Coach, I lost my mind and I’,m sorry and I’d love to come back and compete here at Georgia, I’d hug his neck and say ‘come on,’” Richt said.
Owens played in Georgia’s first three games on special teams but also didn’t make the trip to Ole Miss. He had two tackles this season and six while appearing in 12 games last season. Richt said he does not expect Owens to transfer to Cincinnati, as has been reported.
Malcome and Owens represent the 14th and 15th Georgia players to leave the program with eligibility remaining since the end of last season. That includes players such as A.J. Green and Justin Houston, who entered the NFL draft, and Tanner Strickland and Tanner Sturdivant, who were medically disqualified. (See chary below)
The majority, however, left either because they’d fallen behind on the depth chart or did not see eye-to-eye with the football staff.
“Most everybody we recruit was probably the best player on their team or one of the best players on their team,” Richt said. “So most of them think they’re going to show up and play. They get around athletes that are just as good as them and now they have to learn to compete. Sometimes they see the mountain as too high too climb and they decide to go somewhere else. And that’s fine if that’s what’s going on.
“I want all these guys to get an opportunity to play. I want them all to get an education. But I think there’s value in fighting for your job.”
DOGS GONE
Pos.+Player+Class+Reason for leaving
- OL+Brent Benedict+RFr.+Transferred to Virginia Tech
- LB+Marcus Dowtin+Jr.+Transferred to North Alabama
- TB+Washaun Ealey+Jr.+Transferred to Jacksonville State
- FS Jakar Hamilton+Sr.+Seeking transfer
- TB+Caleb King+Jr.+Academically ineligible
- WR+Logan Gray+Jr.+Graduated w/ eligibility, transferred to Colorado
- WR+A.J. Green+Jr.+Early entry into NFL draft
- FS+Jakar Hamilton+Sr. +Transferring. Destination unknown.
- OL+A.J. Harmon+Jr.+Transferred to Alabama State
- LB+Justin Houston+Jr.+Early entry into NFL draft
- DE+Jeremy Longo+Jr.+Medically disqualified
- RB+Ken Malcome+RFr+Seeking transfer
- CB+Derek Owens+So.+Seeking transfer
- OL+Tanner Strickland+Sr.+Graduated with eligibility remaining
- OL+Trinton Sturdivant+Sr.+Knee injury, career over
- DB+Nick Williams+Jr.+Transferred to North Alabama
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574 comments Add your comment
MagnoliaDawg
September 29th, 2011
1:48 pm
Damn we will never get another S.W. Dekalb player for another 10 yrs……………..oh well guess we will have to go back to lagrange.
MagnoliaDawg
September 29th, 2011
1:49 pm
Crackatoe Ur Heads on.
GT Dude
September 29th, 2011
1:50 pm
I hope a lot of UGA recruites don’t read this blog, you guys are treating this young men like ditch diggers, It appears, Athens really isn’t really too far off the plantation after all
gdawginkalamazoo
September 29th, 2011
1:55 pm
Dawg Tired, you are welcome. I saw the play and was p.o.’d for a moment until Richt was all over him. It means that he is paying attention. Re: he couldn’t sit Crowell the seat is too hot.
bulldawgs2630
September 29th, 2011
1:55 pm
if you cant take the heat get out the kitchen! goodbye!!!!
ryan
September 29th, 2011
2:06 pm
50/50 chance Malcolm will return to the team according to 247 sports that’s all i have right now that is not false info .
Kitchen's gettin' hot - Owens and Malcome to transfer
September 29th, 2011
2:08 pm
[...] Posted by HobnailedBoots I think your count is a bit off. Believe it or not: Ken Malcome, Derek Owens become latest Bulldogs to leave program | UGA sports blog 8-5, 6-7, 0-2 FIRE MARK RICHT Reply With [...]
reddog
September 29th, 2011
2:09 pm
I just don’t understand some Georgia fans.
I am an avid dawgs fan and just as frustrated as the next guy over the last few seasons, but we are getting exactly what we wanted and asked for. This is what happens when a manager, coach, or boss tightens the reins, people start to jump ship. THis is natural and to be expected. This tells me that the work they are putting in is too difficult for alot of guys to do if they are not getting rewarded with playing time. I think this is a good sign. Ask any boss or coach, if you want to change the chemistry of an organization or a team the first thing you do is get rid of the dead weight and the people that are not on board. Slowly but surely the attitude of this team is getting back to where it needs to be.
Zumadawg
September 29th, 2011
2:09 pm
If you can’t compete with a walk-on, you need to move on. You can’t just show up and play. You need to be at practices and work!
WDE
September 29th, 2011
2:10 pm
Good luck to young man where ever he lands. He has been dinged up his entire career and that I’m sure has added to his frustrations. From reports he really worked hard to improve over the summer he just kept getting injured.
WDE
September 29th, 2011
2:12 pm
@reddog agree 100% !
Spaceman Spiff
September 29th, 2011
2:15 pm
reddog, what you are not realizing is that the naysayers on here aren’t UGA fans – just trolls trying to see what we can/will fall for (which is working pretty well)…
gdawginkalamazoo
September 29th, 2011
2:19 pm
Evil E, if your internet provider carries ESPN/3 then you can watch on the internet. I have AT&T which carries ESPN/3. Might try that or find somewhere that does. Also my mobile phone carrier has ESPN so I can watch it there too.
gdawginkalamazoo
September 29th, 2011
2:22 pm
Evil E, I missed the part where your internet provider didn’t carry ESPN/3. Might try Barnes & Nobles. I don’t go there but they have the access. You can try that tonight for the Thursday night game to see if it works.
GADAWGinIraq
September 29th, 2011
2:24 pm
Looks like Richt is separating the men from the boys. I think a few of these guys are in the “entitled” class that seems be running rampant in American youth. GO DAWGS!!!
Evil E
September 29th, 2011
2:26 pm
Thanks gdawg, but unfortunately there isn’t a Barnes & Noble w/in an hour’s drive and w/ two young children it would not be easy – or smart – to do…
buckeyedawg
September 29th, 2011
2:26 pm
I wish all you winers and complainers would leave and go somewhere else with I GOT A BOO BOO MALCOME!!!!!!!! This is SEC football! You have to compete and be tough both mentally and phisically
gdawginkalamazoo
September 29th, 2011
2:27 pm
I want Boo Malcome on the team just so that I can hear the announcers say after a great run, “For you people at home the crowd isn’t booing, that’s the kid’s name.” It works for bad plays to.
Chris
September 29th, 2011
2:29 pm
ryan, how about post a link to your info – like the tweet and all… not saying you are a troll, but…
gdawginkalamazoo
September 29th, 2011
2:30 pm
Evil E, you are welcome, it looks like gamecast.
MarineDog
September 29th, 2011
2:35 pm
@ga gator,
Chest Puller, a Marine’s Marine!
J.T.Keene
September 29th, 2011
2:36 pm
Thanks Tampa Dawg….It’s not that I usually come in late it’s just that all of these intelligents blogs help me to sleep great at night and I sometimes do get a late start. I call Orlando home so I guess I really should have used the name “Orlando Gator”
FayetteDawg
September 29th, 2011
2:39 pm
reddog @2:09 PM is absolutely correct. I spent the last 10 months as part of a revamped management team working to turn a small business around (hadn’t made a profit in 2 years). It can be done, but it always means you lose people–some you want to lose, others you want to keep that just can’t hack that much change that quickly. I’ll think the best of Boo, his character and talent, but figure the changes during this off season and camp were too much for him to handle. Couple that with 0 playing time (or cut hours) and you’re bound to lose someone with a lot of promise. It sucks, for both Boo and UGA, because of what could have been, but that’s life folks. You regroup and move forward. Best of luck to Boo; man, I hope Crowell doesn’t get injured!
Evil E
September 29th, 2011
2:39 pm
Thanks again, gdawg. Will give it a shot… Oh, and MarineDog – its Chesty…
Edward John Smith (aka Titanic Captain)
September 29th, 2011
2:41 pm
Time to rearrange the deck chairs. Maybe we can make it a few more hours before impending doom.
ryan
September 29th, 2011
2:44 pm
Confirmed Ken Malcome returns to UGA i told you so some news.
knute rockne
September 29th, 2011
2:46 pm
Maybe he got tired of thinking about playing powerhouses like Coastal Carolina , Ole Miss, Miss State etc
Gary
September 29th, 2011
2:47 pm
Folks fail to mention there is a significant dicipline change in Athens this year. These coaches will not tollerate rules violations or academic issues. I imagine it is pretty hard to adjust to that new style of management. May not be much fun these days to be a player. Righting the ship requires a lot of work and time. I think this team and the coaches are on the right track. Team is a little thin and injuries are not helping. But this is a young team. I think they will continue to progress and the coaches need to keep working on recruiting.
Billy
September 29th, 2011
2:48 pm
It is confirmed… Malcome is Back on the team. I guess everyone makes mistakes. Glad he decide to fight it out and be a REAL DAWG
ryan
September 29th, 2011
2:48 pm
Boo Malcome is back ha ha haters .
Joe
September 29th, 2011
2:50 pm
If you do not thing the qb situation will end up any differently you are drinking kool aid.
JE
September 29th, 2011
2:51 pm
Did anyone hear Malcome just asked Richt to come back on the team?
Billy
September 29th, 2011
2:51 pm
Gary I agree. I know we have a ways to go. But ZERO arrest’s this year. Much better than year after year of Police blotters in the newspaper about our players and that does speak volumes
gdawginkalamazoo
September 29th, 2011
2:52 pm
Boooooooooooooo! Boooooooooooooooo! Boo!
Gary
September 29th, 2011
2:52 pm
Oh I am sorry Knute, was opening with #5 Boise and USC not worth mentioning? The fact that we still have Florida, Tennessee, Auburn, and the all mighty Georgia Tech on our schedule not enough? Unless you are LSU or Florida, you can’t say anything about our schedule. Hell, even Vandy is playing decent ball this year. Sorry you don’t think Mississippi State a tough school. Does your team play them this year?
Chris
September 29th, 2011
2:54 pm
ryan, you were correct! Not a hater – just seemed like you were trolling at the time…
ryan
September 29th, 2011
2:57 pm
@Chris not calling you hater some of the people on here are i get most my info from 247 sports real good blog to get info from .
Joey
September 29th, 2011
3:00 pm
Boy, we’re gonna have to cut UGA Insider’s pay. He didn’t see this Boo thing coming . . .
Alphare
September 29th, 2011
3:01 pm
For whatever reason, the state of Georgia is just not that good.
The Braves, dawgs, falcons? nothing but disappointment.
Atlanta is the capital of the south, but Atlanta is among the worst hit in economy among big metros. The state of Georgia has the worst unemployment rate in the nation.
Admit it, we are just not that good.
If you blame CMR for Georgia football, do you blame Freddie Gonzalez for Braves, Nathan Deal or Sony Purdue for the economy?
Why other people can do better then?
Dawg Tough
September 29th, 2011
3:05 pm
I’m glad some of these loser pre-maddona are transfering out of there. We don’t need them. The culture if the UGA program is about to change and will only gets better with tough players. Can’t be a LEADER if you don’t know how to LEAD and can’t make it to the NFL if you don’t WORK HARD!?!
If they are falling behind on the dept chart, it’s only means that they are LAZY!!! They were spoon fed in HS and now colleage is too Hard for them. Good-bye suckers. Go play with the little boys in D-II.
AltamahaDawg
September 29th, 2011
3:05 pm
Hey Crowell needs to just keep his trap shut BUT so often that stuff is a lot of “yea man, keep bringing it” and less “taunting” you than it seems. Now I am not suggesting that he said “that was a mighty fine hit good Sir” but we need to get over ourselves and understand it’s just football too. The correct lesson is: nobody really knows or cares what he was saying and it just looks bad, don’t do it.
TampaDawg
September 29th, 2011
3:06 pm
PT
September 29th, 2011
1:06 pm
TampaDawg, Leymay will not turn UGA around.
—————————-
I never said he would or could. But I know one thing for sure and that is, you don’t know that for a fact either.
gdawginkalamazoo
September 29th, 2011
3:06 pm
Alphare, yes even Detroit is doing better. So much better that they are talking about getting rid of the “Stripper Bus” outside of the Lions games.
AltamahaDawg
September 29th, 2011
3:08 pm
Joey, now THAT was funny.
AltamahaDawg
September 29th, 2011
3:10 pm
I think he is still a bit shy to say much about these sort of things since Brandon Boykin lied to him about going pro.
TampaDawg
September 29th, 2011
3:10 pm
Yeah JT, or O-Dawg .. anyway, I don’t get on this thing til around 9 in the morning and there are about 100 posts already by then. Helps the work day go by faster though.
willie g in atlanta today
September 29th, 2011
3:14 pm
if they dont want to play at uga go , GO I SAY , YOU HAVE TO LOVE UGA , TO PLAY HERE , FROM TARKENTON, TO GENE WASHINTON, TO DAVID POLLACK , TO NOW , WE NEED 5 STAR PLAYERS NOT 3 STARS., THIS IS WHY ALABAMA , AND LSU ARE GOOD NOW AND WE ARE BAD , ITS STARTS WITH RECRUITING , AJ HARMON SHOULD STILL BE HERE., GOD BRING ERK RUSSELL FROM THE GRAVE , AND GET THESE DOGS GOING ., WHIP THEM INTO SHAPE.
Eddie
September 29th, 2011
3:14 pm
No worries all … Boo is back!
AltamahaDawg
September 29th, 2011
3:14 pm
I guess Ken’s girlfriend didn’t see it the way he had hoped.
MarineDog
September 29th, 2011
3:17 pm
@EvilE,
How dare I mispell the name of the most famous Marine of them all. I will drop down and give you 50. Thanks for pointing that out to me.