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
JB
September 28th, 2011
10:15 pm
All I know is that’s he’s had ten years to put a team on the field, recruiting in the 5th richest state in the country for high school div 1 talent, to resemble LSU or Bama. Do we look like either one of those teams?
Dawg48
September 28th, 2011
10:17 pm
@snoop I hope to see you in atlanta when we are playing for the SEC championship next year! With coach richt!
FLA DAWG
September 28th, 2011
10:18 pm
Mobile Dawg,
You may be right but I’ve never seen reporters shy away from a story………….and this will be a big one if we drop one against MSU. It would be a disaster.
You are absolutely right in saying MSU is formidable. Those kids are talented and can execute. Our guys are talented and could execute if someone taught them how to do so on a consistent basis.
JB
September 28th, 2011
10:19 pm
We can’t block…and that is a problem.
Ron Roberts
September 28th, 2011
10:20 pm
Do any of you guys follow “Boo” on Twitter? Dude was posting tweets weeks ago inferring he and his parents were lied to “right in our living room.” He was a malcontent, injured or not. Good riddance to bad apples, I say. Playing time isn’t “promised” to anybody; it’s earned, if a coach knows what’s best for his career-longevity and for his program’s success.
Snoop Dawg
September 28th, 2011
10:20 pm
I look forward to it, Dawg48. I really would like to get some frustrations out and you are a good candidate. Unfortunate, the location is probably going to be Shreveport or Nashville.
Mobile Dawg
September 28th, 2011
10:20 pm
JB, I can’t honestly say I can ever remember a UGA team that looked like a classic Bama or LSU team. We’ve always had something to prove as far as proving we belong with the big boys. When we’ve won we were the little guys with more heart and wanted it more. Not to say we haven’t had some “great” players, but I don’t recall us ever being a “dominant” team.
sicdawg
September 28th, 2011
10:22 pm
Unfortunaely, Richt forgot the reason he was hired. He was hired because of his knowledge as an offensive coordinator. As soon as he abandoned that role he was done. Only reason he is still there is that Bobo is married to Dooley’s niece. By the way, Dooley wasn’t worth a damn without Erk Russell. Erk could adjust at the half and win (It was Erk that won, not Dooley. Why do you think he left. Look what he did at GSU. Coach Mark Richt is done. Either he is fired or Dawgs will be unable to compete annually with Vandy. That’s all period
Dawg48
September 28th, 2011
10:22 pm
Snoop why don’t you get in the car and leave with boo and owens sound like you have the same problems they do! Quitting on your team!
P. Bull Terrier
September 28th, 2011
10:23 pm
Harold –
I am sure you were just testing us when you used a split infinitive in the sentence, “It is more proper to not use contractions.”
Properly written, the sentence would read, “It is more proper not to use contractions”.
This grammer stuff is almost as much fun as football.
The ole Ball Coach
September 28th, 2011
10:24 pm
UGA does not need guys who will not fight for their jobs or put the work in to get better so they can play ….. good bye.
King Vitamin
September 28th, 2011
10:24 pm
Boo should have eaten more of my cereal.
Ellijay dawgcatcher
September 28th, 2011
10:25 pm
After ten years it should be re-load, not rebuild. This situation in Athens is unacceptable. Every program has players leave early, wash-out, graduate, whatever. So some of you believe Coach Richt has finally tightened his rules to be a dawg, after ten years and 30+ million dollars? What has 30 million really gotten us? Two SEC titles, some winning seasons in the first 7 years, and a pile of poor football the last three years. It’s not a phase, not a blip on the radar screen, it’s what Georgia football has become. And it ain’t pretty.
Nub
September 28th, 2011
10:25 pm
Mobile Dawg, would like your rationale why we can’t be BETTER than both LSU and Bama?
JB
September 28th, 2011
10:26 pm
harold runs when he is caught………Like any Techie when presented facts.
JB
September 28th, 2011
10:27 pm
Ellijay, check on my place in Walnut Mountain for me please……
jeff
September 28th, 2011
10:29 pm
Hey Ellijay… If you haven’t noticed the #10 team in the country & the one most picked to win the EAST (SC) is a anle sprain on Lattimore away from being 1-4 right now. Stop being a “chicken little”. SC without Lattimore is a whole lot worse than us IF Crowell went down. Garcia can’t even get the ball in the same zip code as his receivers.
Ellijay dawgcatcher
September 28th, 2011
10:31 pm
I wish I could believe that jeff, I really do. Not being “chicken little” my friend; just tellin’ it like I see it.
Captain
September 28th, 2011
10:32 pm
David
It’s obvious you know absolutely nothing about Ealey. Ealey couldn’t handle 30 carries, he was out of shape, he refused to workout during the offseason and constantly stayed in trouble with the staff as well as teammates. He was a malcontent with an awful attitude, a real smelley piece of dung that needed to go. Think the biggest memory of Ealey is he holds the Georgia record for most fumbles inside the opponents 3 yd line. Attitude, Desire, Dedication, Commitment, Focus, Self Discipline are 6 of the traits common among the best and most successful athletes, Ealey had none of them. All the talent in the world minus those is like a book without words.
JB
September 28th, 2011
10:32 pm
If we played SC later in the season, we would never lose to them. They are a poor late season team under Sprurrier.
Ron Roberts
September 28th, 2011
10:32 pm
Nub, i can; LSU is the lone dog in it’s state and its adjacency to Texas gives them ample opportunity to nab recruits in arguably the largest HS football talent pool in the country.
Alabama, on the other hand – is freaking Alabama! Dude, we’re a good program; Alabama’s a STORIED program. We WANT to be like Alabama, but we’re not; and there’s not shame in that. Auburn, Tennessee do, too, and to them, we’re comparable. Neither we, nor they, are comparable to Alabama.
They can recruit in ANY corner of the country and pack with their recruiters decades of lore, MULTIPLE national championships, and a head coach who’s tough, gets results and makes good players great.
It was silly for any of us to think we’re a “re-load, not re-build” program; we still ASPIRE to be that. We were close, in Richt’s early tenure, but there’s something amiss in he and his staff’s abilities when it comes to molding these talented young men into RESPONSIBLE, team-oriented men.
Mobile Dawg
September 28th, 2011
10:32 pm
NUB, that’s a simple question. Lack of committment from the heirarchy at UGA. We have the potential, just not the priority.
JB
September 28th, 2011
10:34 pm
My Nephew played against Ealey from Savannah Christian. He warned me. Big press clippings and lots of yards against small inferior teams.
Boo Hoo Malcome
September 28th, 2011
10:34 pm
Gee I did think I would have to compete to make the team and Play. This is just too hard. I did have to try that much in High School. So when it gets tough I just to go home.
King Vitamin
September 28th, 2011
10:34 pm
Ellijay is one disgruntled dude.
carolinadawg
September 28th, 2011
10:37 pm
The people that write things like good riddance should be absolutely ashamed of themselves. How dare us judge these kids. I wish them the very best in there next challenge. It was just not meant to be at UGA. To label them as any way except as wanting to be able to play football would be wrong.
Froggy the Gremlin
September 28th, 2011
10:37 pm
Speaking as one who was named first team All State Pine Rider, one of the team rules was if you quit you don’t return. Of course coach was an SOB & enforced it selectively. Apparently there has been a softening in general. We would all have liked to have quit about twice a week & come back for the Friday game.
Snoop Dawg
September 28th, 2011
10:38 pm
Dawg48, you are nothing less than an enabler and codependent on Marjoe Mark Richt and his scam on the UGA.
You need to pack it up and move to some loser place where you will fit in. If you perchance have a UGA degree please return it…
Ellijay dawgcatcher
September 28th, 2011
10:38 pm
Captain, I hear what you are saying regarding Ealey and his attitude. My question is, did he develop these traits after he arrived in Athens, or did he bring the attitude with him? Garner has some guilt in this mess, but the buck stops at the desk of the CEO of the program.
Snoop Dawg
September 28th, 2011
10:39 pm
I suspect the problem is Richt, not Malcome…
JB
September 28th, 2011
10:39 pm
If Dr. Adams was serious about competing for a title, we wouldn’t be here tonight waiting for the ax to fall. Richt was toast last year. Grantham 4th on list and demanded a 3 year deal…and got it. Searles saw a chance to leave. This LB coach got a chance to leave. We hired a OL coach from UAB, a friend of Bobo’s, for an area we really needed help, and could pay with anybody. Richt hired ” for comfort”.
Tick tock…tick tock…..tick tock…..
ryan
September 28th, 2011
10:41 pm
I think i am starting to see what he is doing Richt is trying to get rid of the players who don’t what to work hard and bring the players that want to be apart this team and win Marshall and Gurley come on down .
Snoop Dawg
September 28th, 2011
10:41 pm
Garner is another cancer in the Dawgnation… I believe he actually has racist tendancies… Why isn’t there a little more diversity on the football team? Don’t tell me white people can’t play football. Boise State demolished the UGA power rangers…
it’s an honest question that should not be avoided.
Nub
September 28th, 2011
10:41 pm
Well dude lay out you explanation of the success the gators have had over the last 20 yrs…. They are not some storied program and they have won three national championships and whipped us 19 of the last 21 years…. Dawgs must ALWAYS aspire and expect greatness …. We have the money …. Plenty of high school talent …. Low expectations should not be tolerated!!!!! Ever!
Ellijay dawgcatcher
September 28th, 2011
10:42 pm
Ryan, shouldn’t it have always been that way?
JB
September 28th, 2011
10:43 pm
ryan, if he doesn’t win 8, maybe 9 games this year, it won’t matter, Bringing back a 6-6 or 7-5 Richt ain’t happening, IMO
Snoop Dawg
September 28th, 2011
10:43 pm
ryan, the only problem with your theory is that Richt recruited every single one of these kids who now he claims has a bad attitude. Take a look Saturday at the UGA sidelines. The players do not in general seem happy to be there nor are they very emotional. Just like the coach…
Lighten up, Francis...
September 28th, 2011
10:44 pm
Have some class…wish the kid good luck, and best wishes going forward…that’s it, that’s all, nothing else needs to be said…best thing for both parties
JB
September 28th, 2011
10:44 pm
Watch a Clemson or Auburn Sideline during a game and see if you see a difference.
Warhorse
September 28th, 2011
10:45 pm
McDawg talks big about not quitting. He can’t even get off his computer long enough to live in the real world. Give the kid a break; it is his life and computer cowboys have not input into any life but their own miserable edition.
Ellijay dawgcatcher
September 28th, 2011
10:46 pm
Is it just me, or does Heineken taste better when you are angry? It tastes like “necter of the gods” right now!
Ron Roberts
September 28th, 2011
10:46 pm
Nub, Florida, if you haven’t noticed, is a HEAVILY-populated state.
We’re also in a state rich with football talent, but we’re eaten at by every angle; Bama and Auurn (almost on the state line), along with FSU (see: Auburn) and oh yeah, Georgia Tech, get a few in here. Our problem (my opinion) has been chasing after 4-and-5 star physical players, many of whom are of questionable character.
I’d like to see us get top-tier linemen and mid-grade skill players, personally. That’s what Bama does.
ryan
September 28th, 2011
10:47 pm
Yes if UGA struggles and looses the next three games he is gone period end of story i was just trying put little positive spin on the matter that’s all .
Rocktown Dawg
September 28th, 2011
10:48 pm
Bobo sucks… and ur answer
MarineDog
September 28th, 2011
10:50 pm
I’m confused as to how do you know that a player has a bad attitude when you’re recruiting them. I’m sure that during the recruiting process, these players are probably going to hide any questionable attitude problems. Some of these players were recruited by other SEC schools as well. Now, if you are saying that they should have been kicked off the team long before now, then I wouldn’t argue with you because you would be making a valid point.
Pulaski Dawg
September 28th, 2011
10:50 pm
It’s pretty obvious now that a house cleaning is taking place. Play by the rules and contribute or be gone. It’s about time and I am now convinced that we are on the right track. I still believe Richt will get this right.
NOBODYYOUKNOW
September 28th, 2011
10:51 pm
Harold, I just wish everybody could have had my education. After I finished HAZARD County high school I went on to or too(?) WACKADO U. Thats where I got my S.O.B. degree. I know you heard or (HERD) of our football team. THE FIGHTING INSURSURANCE SALESMEN. Yes, I’ve been blessed and know how to or too talk and right good english.
Snoop Dawg
September 28th, 2011
10:52 pm
It’s like some terrorist cartel: Richt, Bobo, Garner. they are all on a world class scam–really. Together, they have ripped off in excess of thirty million dollars from the University of Georgia while all these blind homer losers talk about what righteous men they are. It would be funny if it weren’t so sad. The whole thing is bizarre….
The UGA football program is a total disaster, a national disgrace…
The players are jumping out of The Energy Bus!
JAWJeRDAWG
September 28th, 2011
10:52 pm
Doesn’t the one-year sit-out rule apply to Ken Malcome if he transfers to another D-1 school?
If I were Boo, and was hurt but knew that I eally wanted to play for UGA, I might just look within and believe that with a medical red-shirt, I could sit out this year and get both my mental and physical issues resolved, and come back next year with a vengence to practice hard and earn a fair chance for playing time.
He seems to be a good, hard running back, and I hope he might give this some thought.
But, with UGA at this point having a possible good shot at both Keith Marshall and Todd Gurley, he might not feel he is up to the challenge.
It certainly looked like he might have felt that way with IC coming in.
If you want to play at UGA, stay and work out your issues. If not, it’s best to move on.
Best to you, Boo, in your decision. .. Go Dawgs!
Snoop Dawg
September 28th, 2011
10:52 pm
Pulaski Dawg, could I talk to you about buying some land?