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
MY 2 cents
September 29th, 2011
10:59 am
Boo was a weak, weak, player. He just plain gave up. I was really hoping he would become a player. I cant remember a player that just quit. He just quit. Completely and purposely gave up. Glad that cancer is gone.
PT
September 29th, 2011
11:01 am
Steve-O, All you have to do is beat the teams on your schedule to have a winning record. Maybe UGA is not able to play on a national level anymore. They should schedule weaker teams, but that’s not going to help them in conference play. Maybe they should move to the Big East.
PT
September 29th, 2011
11:03 am
Enter your comments here
Sideline Guest
September 29th, 2011
11:04 am
It’s amazing what Coach Richt & McClendon will say FOR the media and to make themselves look good. Richt claims that he would welcome Malcome back and McClendon claims that ‘BOO’ was always upbeat and wanted to be a DAWG. REALLY???? Is anyone asking themselves how did these kids come to departure decisions if something else was not going on? The kids and parents fail to realize that once the committment is in place, they are actually WORKING for this free education which is their salary ranging from $20K to $32K. I’m not gullible to think that other colleges & universities don’t go through their share of ups and downs with players as well as distractions in general. However, I’m pretty sure Richt & others gets paid TOP DOLLARS to to have a winning & successful program. I understand that coaches are not babysitters to these kids but someone like actual position coaches, has to know what is going on in every aspect of these kids life if they are not performing 110% at practice as well as game day. Coaches are promising these players time in games but when the next “best thing” comes along HINT!!HINT!! Crowell, forget the ones before him. I can tell you he is not a Lattimore of SC, that’s for sure. All I can say is Chip, if you can get the “TRUTH” from one of the players, I can almost assure you that comments on the blog will be very different. UGA has talent that is not being exploited and I wouldn’t be surprised if the ‘GOOD OLE BOY’ system of Athens or the STATE OF GA has gotten to Richt & his coaching staff. These kids I believe needs stronger mentoring from coaches and I must say that the ‘TRUE CAPTAINS’ of the team needs to show some leadership qualities and address the coaching staff & players about getting their acts together and play football again. It might be best that UGA coaching staff plan on seeking other employment.
gomdawg
September 29th, 2011
11:05 am
This opens door for some young kids to come in next season.If don’t want to fight for your job thin we don’t need them SIMPLE
Alphare
September 29th, 2011
11:07 am
Tech played NC with some future NFL players.
To be honest with anybody who are interested, I believe Tech can beat Boise State because of the style Tech is playing. It’s not Tech can defend Kellen Moore, but Tech can outscore them.
the wussification of uga
September 29th, 2011
11:09 am
soon as I heard this “energy vampire” crap I knew this season was in trouble. think woody and bo, or the bear and jo pa had to come up with stupid little sayings like that to motivate the team. keep CMR and next seasons motto will probably reference some type of feminine hygiene product.
Shine
September 29th, 2011
11:09 am
I’d leave too to get to play. And If the “best” are playing it doesnt speak well for the one’s that aren’t. The Crumb (Crowell) is not and never will be a Herschell Walker. The sooner the press and coaches take that illusion of a supeman cape off they keep printing and speaking of the better.
Tech Sucks
September 29th, 2011
11:12 am
That’s just what happens when you have studs everywhere. I’d do the same thing if Crowell was recruited after me.
gomdawg
September 29th, 2011
11:12 am
SIDELINE GUEST, These younger players are playing because they are better players for years ya’ll damn the coaches for red shirting players and now that we are playing true freshmen the coaches catch hell. DAMN GET A LIFE
Tech Sucks
September 29th, 2011
11:12 am
Shine, Crowell doesn’t need to be Walker. He’s a completely different runner, but an absolute stud.
PT
September 29th, 2011
11:19 am
If the same Miss State team shows up at UGA that played LSU, it’s going to be sad for the studs. I watched the game and Miss State just could not hold up for 4qrts based on talent and depth.
AltamahaDawg
September 29th, 2011
11:20 am
Kind of mixing up your time frames there. Liberty bowl..yea. That brought about some changes. As did some of the other issue you mention. That was my point. It did. And the program has been in a state of change over the past several years which at this point amounts to “wholesale”. I think we all agree for the better. But that’s a far cry from saying that anyone should have made all those in the weeks following the 2008 Sugar Bowl.
U of Houston class of 97' football
September 29th, 2011
11:20 am
While I’m sure that the competition was fierce and those guys battled hard, there are a lot of other factors that come into play which can determine whether a guy plays or not.
More specifically, some running backs are fast and allusive but don’t have that bruising ability. Depending on what the coach’s game plan is, that guy may sit if the coach prefers a bruiser that can bounce off the first tackler. Some defensive backs and safeties cover well but they aren’t good at putting a hat on someone. This too can leave you on the pine.
These are on the field decisions. But don’t think for one second that this is all that goes into who plays or doesn’t play. If the fans want to see a guy, no matter how little he’s producing at practice, he may play just based on hype alone. If a guy is an upper classman, he may play over a more talented freshman based on someone’s belief that experience is more important than raw talent. If a guy doesn’t show enthusiam or practice up to the coach’s belief, he may not play even if he’s clearly better than the guys he’s competing against.
I say this b/c I’ve see it. If you don’t adjust or fit it with the coach’s likes, you don’t play. Talent is only 40% of what gets you on the field.
I’m more than confident in saying that I bet these transfers can play at a high level, they are just don’t fit into cmr’s key’s for success….just like three boxing judges can see a fight completely different, three coach’s can see a player’s skill different.
Sassydog1
September 29th, 2011
11:20 am
It is a shame that all these kids are seemingly only in college at all in order to play football. Not one player “up and left” because they wanted to get a better education. Not one left because they felt they wanted greater academic challenge. Why doesn’t some enlightened administrator just get real and create a college called “Football University” ?
And hint to AJC reporters: I know there is MONEY involved in the UGA football program, but might there be other more important student achievements and decisions being made in other departments on campus that warrant your attention?
HECKLE
September 29th, 2011
11:22 am
Enter your connemts here.
Sideline Guest
September 29th, 2011
11:23 am
RICHT YOU WILL PROBABLY GET THE CHANCE TO SEE YOUR SON PLAY COLLEGE FOOTBALL OR WATCH HIS GAME IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT LINE!!! GARNER DOES NOT NEED TO TELL HIS GPS ABOUT DECATUR, GA EVER AGAIN!!! He might have better luck down in LEES, ALABAMA!!! TELL CHARLES BARKLEY & FAMILY HELLO!!!
bugsquacher
September 29th, 2011
11:23 am
maybe they looked at the recent record…… rats jumping from a sinking ship….
1- GEORGIA is a combined 0-5 against Top 25 teams in 2010 & 2011 (0% winning ratio)
2- GEORGIA has lost 10 of its last 12 against ranked teams (20% winning ratio)
3- GEORGIA is now 16-14 in its last 30 games (53% winning ratio over past 30)
4- GEORGIA is 7-10 in the past 17 SEC games (41% winning ratio against SEC teams)
5- GEORGIA is 4-5 in their last 9 games going back to last season
6- GEORGIA has won 2 of it’s last 4 games. (neither were a powerhouse)
7- GEORGIA has not beaten a Div 1A team that finished w/ a winning record in its last 18 games.
TampaDawg
September 29th, 2011
11:28 am
ga gator “No offense to all of my Dawg buddies but I would much rather have him than Bobo.” .. so would we dude.
On another note, I think we have beaten “the hug” to death, so let it go. It’s over and I bet a horse farm the other players on the team had a different opinion of it than bloggers do and that tends to matter more.
The funny thing is when it comes to the “fire CMR” crowd is that they never remember years like 2007
TampaDawg
September 29th, 2011
11:30 am
and bugsquacher with the worthless post of the day .. AGAIN! Dude, you should probably lay low after you fired off the same tired old post on the blog about Bacarri Rambo’s son yesterday. Classless.
LHarding Dawg
September 29th, 2011
11:30 am
Sideline = Uninformed Jerk
McDawg
September 29th, 2011
11:31 am
lots of scholarships
LHarding Dawg
September 29th, 2011
11:36 am
Boo is probably a good kid and a good football player. He has always been the best athlete on his team until he got to Georgia. He did’nt know how to compete for his job and so he is quiting because he thinks it will be easier at another school. I wish him luck, but I think at another school, he will have the same problems he has at Georgia.
TampaDawg
September 29th, 2011
11:39 am
Lharding, I unfortunately think you’re right about that last statement about Malcome.
Tdawt
September 29th, 2011
11:41 am
Unless he transfers to some school like Western Carolina is won’t matter where he goes, he will still be a bench rider. Kid’s got no heart. What’s he gonna do? Transfer every time he doesn’t get to start. Kid try and grow a pair first, then decide what you want to do, because you going nowhere fast.
Winder
September 29th, 2011
11:44 am
Something doesn’t smell right to have this many kids leaving.
TampaDawg
September 29th, 2011
11:47 am
Alphare, you are buying into that crap that GT Joe sells. UNC has a couple of good players in the front 7 but this is still a team that barely beat Rutgers. I don’t think GT could beat BSU either because BSU was so dominant up front on defense. Makes a big difference.
J.T.Keene
September 29th, 2011
11:52 am
What is it with the Georgia people? Comparing Cro-wellll to Herschal. Herschal was probably the greatest all around, strongest running back ever. He played “hurt” and took tremendous poundings and still he played probably every down. Did you see Cro-wellll in the 3rd & 4th qtr. of the Ole Miss game? He was really wanting to come out. Some of you are right. It is a good thing you don ‘t play Ala.& LSU this year you would be looking for a running back to put in the game early.
evil empire
September 29th, 2011
11:53 am
The funny thing is when it comes to the “fire CMR” crowd is that they never remember years like 2007…
what happened in 2007? you beat Florida…golf clap
you beat Hawaii…wow
what you didn’t do is win your own division…so what is so special about 2007?
nothing
Taco
September 29th, 2011
11:55 am
UGA promises all these kids they can be stars be for they come and go to the NFL despite coaching. When they see dreams fade they fold up. Sell them on a quality education first and then work from there.
Tombo
September 29th, 2011
11:56 am
It’s pretty simple…we recruit kids whose #1 goal is to play in the NFL and UGA is a great place to do that historically under Richt. However, that is the goal of a lot of the kids arriving…show my stuff and get rich in the NFL. If they get buried in the depth chart, they never get a shot at NFL. So, they need to jump ship to have a better shot at their NFL goal. Can’t blame them.
As long as we recruit that mentality, we run the risk of them leaving if they don’t earn a starting job or crack the rotation. Need to recruit foks who want to be Bulldawgs first and then help them work to get a shot at NFL. More loyalty and probably more team. Not saying recruits can’t be Bulldawgs and want to play in pros, but sell them on UGA…not UGA as launching pad for pros.
That being said, it’s a great opportunity for the back ups!
TampaDawg
September 29th, 2011
11:57 am
J.T.Keene, way to show up late for the conversation. Been beaten down and shown that no real UGA fan is comparing the two. There will never be another Herschel.
magic
September 29th, 2011
11:57 am
GOOD FOR THEM! HAVE A BETTER CHANCE MAKING ELSE WHERE GA CAN’T SEEM TO STAY OUT OF THE MEDIA
crusher
September 29th, 2011
11:58 am
You’ve talked about this for days. Stop talking about old news and get on with something new.
Sassydog1
September 29th, 2011
11:59 am
Like your thinking, Tombo.
Who would have thought?
September 29th, 2011
12:00 pm
The ship is sinking – and the rats are scurrying.
TampaDawg
September 29th, 2011
12:00 pm
Well Evil Empire (stop it with your tyrannical ways), 2007 they beat #16 Bama .. in Bama, #19 Auburn, #25 Kentucky, #9 Florida, GT at home, and YES, #10 Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl finishing the season ranked number 2 in the country. Yeah, it was a really good year.
Tombo
September 29th, 2011
12:03 pm
@ wussification – That’s freakin’ hilarious! Unfortunately, I think it’s indicative of Richt’s struggles to find a way to motivate the team. Having to resort to gimmicks is not a good omen.
Who would have thought?
September 29th, 2011
12:06 pm
bugsquacker, is that really true? No victories over DIV 1 team with a winning record in the last 8 games?
That is not good! Maybe they should start running that HIGH SCHOOL offense that GT runs?
Who would have thought?
September 29th, 2011
12:07 pm
sorry, no victories over DIV 1 team with a winning record in the last last 18 games.
Who would have thought?
September 29th, 2011
12:07 pm
my mistake
Mobile Dawg
September 29th, 2011
12:11 pm
Tampa Dawg, and Altamaha, 2007 was when the real problems started rearing their heads, that would be about the time all the Donnan Era deciples would be leaving. I know there were no Donnan recruits there at that time so spare me that argument. There were however players in 04, 05, and 06 that were influenced by the culture and work ethic of those recruited by Jim. 2007 would have been a great year if we had beaten two opponents we should have easily. I don’t care whether you buy into it or not, there was a watering down process and deterioration of the culture taking place. No other way to explain it other than bad luck. I say, good planning, good organization, and execution equal “good luck”, and vice versa.
If CMR had the vision to see the systemic problems that were slowly developing and took the decisive action that he seems to have taken now, there’s a good chance the “wholesale” changes as “you” call them Alt, wouldn’t have had to take place. I still think there’s evidence of some chinks in Richts armour now, such as his absurd statements and I’m not even going to get into them, the Boykin tweet, IC not wearing his rib protection. These kinds of things tell me Richt really doesn’t have the “fear type” respect of his players he needs at this level. I want my kids to love me, trust me, and know I have their back at all costs, but I like them to know there is a consequence if they don’t abide by the rules and to know it bites.
For what it’s worth we could debate all day.
TampaDawg
September 29th, 2011
12:14 pm
Yes but bugsquatcher always fails to mention the two years prior to that when they had 13 wins over Div I schools with winning records and the 7 top 25 teams they beat, some on the road. It’s always easy to point at a slump going on right now, but I guess college football alzheimers doesn’t allow you to remember ALLLL the way back to 07 and 08.
Ellijay dawgcatcher
September 29th, 2011
12:14 pm
@Who would have thought?
For some reason, that has become acceptable to the CMR-lovin’ crowd. I swear, I just don’t get it.
MrBitter
September 29th, 2011
12:15 pm
Gosh, whoever wrote this article must have done too much tailgating. It’s Trinton Sturdivant and Tanner Hamilton is on the list twice.
C’MON MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Spaceman Spiff
September 29th, 2011
12:17 pm
I see bugnutscratcher is back with his trivial crap…
Preacherdawg
September 29th, 2011
12:21 pm
I live in Tuscaloosa Al. I am a huge Dawg fan! Alabama has had 9 players leave since last year, that does not include the one that left early for draft. If these guys cannot cut the mustard, then let them go!
WhoCares
September 29th, 2011
12:23 pm
Coaches feeding the press BS and Ken. He was recruited to make sure UGA didn’t have to play against him! From the time Cromwell was recruited he was promised the starting spot, this i know for a fact. Ken should leave and go elsewhere where he will have a FAIR chance to play and showcase his ability.
TampaDawg
September 29th, 2011
12:27 pm
true enough Mobile Dawg, but I doubt by even 2004 (CMR’s 4th year) that Donnan’s influence was still there. The atmosphere would have been completely changed by then and with Donnan nowhere to be found the last 4 years, I doubt even for a second that he had anything to do with the players work ethic, respect level, demeanor or anything else by that point. That being said, I REALLY doubt he was a presence there by 05 and 06.
The Boykin tweet I thought was waaaaay overblown. Funny thing is, according to the BSU blogs before the game (nice people over there I might add), they and coach Peterson did too.
Let’s look at the QB trend though. Greene through 01-04, Shockley in 05, Stafford 06-08, Cox in 09, RSFr Murray in 10. 01 team went 8-4, 06 team went 9-4, 09 team went 8-5, last year 6-7. This is the first year in the last three with a returning starter at QB and if we let the season finish out, we might just see that everything will be ok.
TampaDawg
September 29th, 2011
12:28 pm
Ellijay dawgcatcher, its hard to “get” it when you can only remember as far back as 2009