RB Ken Malcome returns to Bulldogs 24 hours after asking to transfer
Georgia's Ken Malcome takes a handoff in the Coastal Carolina game, his only carry so far this season. (Photo provided by UGA)
ATHENS – Ken Malcome is back on the team.
Just 24 hours after meeting with Georgia coach Mark Richt to ask for a transfer, the big, bruising running back from Decatur was back to ask for a reinstatement on Thursday. It was granted, just as Richt said he would do the previous night.
“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 after Wednesday’s practice.
That’s apparently just what happened. Malcome’s return was announced in a brief release from UGA Sports Communications Thursday afternoon: “Ken Malcome, who indicated to Coach Richt Wednesday he wanted to transfer, has requested and been granted a return to the team.”
Malcome’s reversal was not a major surprise. Richt seemed to be imploring Malcome to return through his comments to the press after announcing his decision to transfer:
“What happens is, most everybody we recruit was probably the best player on the team or the one of the best players on their team. Just by virtue of the fact they were that talented, they showed up wanting to play. Now I’m not saying that’s the case. There’s a lot of guys with tremendous work ethic. But whether they work hard or don’t ‘t work hard, some of these guys are just flat out better and they play. And then [players] get into a situation where they get around other athletes like them and now you have to compete. Learning how to do that is very difficult sometimes. Some guys will see the mountain as too high to climb and then decided 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 all these guys to get an opportunity to get their education. But I think there’s some value in fighting for you job.”
Richt said he is constantly hearing from players who are considering transferring or quitting football. Three-time All-American David Pollack was one.
“A lot of guys will feel that way. You hear it a lot, ‘I’m thinking about going.’ And then they stay; and then they compete; and then they get bigger, stronger; and then they get more seniority and there’s freshmen behind them going through the same thing. Other guys might transfer or graduate and then, all the sudden, there they are, they’re playing. And they’re so thankful they stayed around and saw it through.
“I’ll never forget David Pollack coming into my office as a freshman during camp. He was down. He said, ‘I can’t do anything right. Coach Garner’s all over me. I think I might have made a mistake. I don’t know if I can play here.’ Pollack’s the most decorated player in the history of Georgia football and he had those doubts, too. So it’s hard to all of the sudden compete at a level you just never had to.
“I’m not saying these guys are bad kids at all. It’s just that sometimes it comes as a shock to them and instead of fighting they choose to move on. There’s a bunch of good kids that decide to do that.”
Coaches said Malcome missed practices Tuesday and Wednesday because of a “stomach bug.” He has had one carry for zero yards to this point and did not make the travel roster for Ole Miss last weekend.
An all-state player at Southwest DeKalb High, Malcome (6-0, 221) 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, linebacker convert Richard Samuel and former walkon Brandon Harton on the depth chart in preseason camp.
There was no such reversal of fortune for cornerback Derek Owens. Richt also announced Wednesday that the sophomore from Jacksonville was seeking a transfer.
That means 14 players have left Georgia since the end of last season with eligibility remaining. That includes NFL early draftees A.J. Green and Justin Houston and medical retirees Jeremy Longo and Tanner Strickland.
Richt acknowledged that the rate of attrition is greater than usual. Asked if that was due to more demands within the program or fewer opportunties due to a lot of freshmen earning playing time, he said: “Probably a little of both.”
But the turnover does not seem to have Richt overly concerned. “All it’s going to do is allow us to sign a full boat of recruits again, which will be a positive thing if we bring in the right guys,” he said.
Richt was asked if having to deal with player transfers this week was distracting as the Bulldogs prepare for a major SEC showdown with Mississippi State.
“No,” he said. “It comes with the territory. It hasn’t hurt my preparation. All my film study, all the decisions help the staff make, that’s already been done. It has not kept me from doing my job this week.”
|– Chip Towers
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
139 comments Add your comment
tdawg in Stockbridge
September 29th, 2011
6:36 pm
He should get the carries of the stumbling, tumbling linebacker that’s playing runningback. I’m sure he’s a better back.
the dude
September 29th, 2011
6:44 pm
IT IS REAL SIMPLE, YOU ARE EITHER A DAWG OR NOT. WE NEED TO GET BACK TO THE FOLKS LIKE THE JUNKYARD DAWGS, WHO WERE NOT GREAT BUT PUT TOGETHER WORKED WELL AND WON. ENOUGH SAID. 10-4.
chase
September 29th, 2011
7:06 pm
I cant really figure out why this guy is not number 2 on the depth chart just watching him play
Rob
September 29th, 2011
7:06 pm
I’m glad Malcome decided to stay, because I thought he and Crowell would be a hell of a combination. Hopefully, he will see some more action, he sure looks like a strong runner to me.
AFDawg
September 29th, 2011
7:20 pm
Fact Finding Missionary — On defense Pollack had more major awards than any other defensive player in Bulldog history. On offense of course, it was Herschel. If you add in Herschel’s Heisman, I do think Herschel probably edged out Pollack for overall as a Bulldog. Time to hit the history books and add ‘em up.
shane#1
September 29th, 2011
7:28 pm
I have an older friend that was coaching high school football in Alabama in the fifties. He took over a team that hadn’t won a game in over a season. He started putting the heat to the boys and three players quit, led by his QB, who was a doctor’s son and had money. A few days later an old mule farmer showed up with his son, who was a lineman. The farmer was dressed in bib overalls, straw hat, and brogans. The farmer said, “Boy, what do you want to say to Coach?” The kid, who was a head taller than his skinny daddy said, “Coach, I want to play, will you let me back on the team?” My friend said” will you do what I say?” “Yes Sir!” was the reply. The father said, “Coach, iffin’ he don’t you just tell me and I’ll put them plow lines on his a$$ again!” That boy went on to play for Auburn. He was the first in his family to get a degree and became very successful in the insurance business.
lombardi
September 29th, 2011
7:32 pm
Quitter never win, winners never quit…..hmmm
Sam
September 29th, 2011
7:38 pm
Welcome back Ken. Glad that you had a change of heart son. GO DAWGS!
Paddy
September 29th, 2011
7:46 pm
chase…..I believe he is #4 on the depth chart because they could never get him on the field. Others who did practice just went right by him. Your HS press clippings don’t translate into playing time!
Paddy
September 29th, 2011
7:48 pm
Delbert D…..he was a Players Player to the Max!!!!!!!!! You don’t often get the chance to be around guys like that very often. If you pay attention you sure can learn alot.
Just a Fan
September 29th, 2011
8:01 pm
He’s an 18-19 year old kid. The whole situation probably got overwhelming to him. Either he’ll make or he won’t but some people on here are acting like he owes them something.
D Bag Trolls!
September 29th, 2011
8:12 pm
Great News! GATA!!!!
SE GA Fan
September 29th, 2011
8:22 pm
Just amazed how quickly your AJC takes Malcomb’s return off the online front page. You left the one when he left on until he returned. The AJC definitely does not like UGA.
SE GA Fan
September 29th, 2011
8:27 pm
Oh….did you notice how the QB from Bolles School in JAX said he was coming to UGA as long as Richt was the coach? You AJC guys seem to want to let that one slid under the rug, a proper idiom for your group. The AJC is causing more problems for UGA each and every year.
Dawg Man
September 29th, 2011
8:28 pm
Thats great !!!!, he will be a part of the next 5 years National Championship teams !!! Just having him on the team will help us run teams off the field!!!
Dawg48
September 29th, 2011
8:34 pm
He is lucky to have a coach like mark richt, who would greet him back like the prodigal son!
bitter--often banned
September 29th, 2011
9:51 pm
great stuff chip towers—keep up the flow of info as joe-ja–keeps getting stronger!!!
—————————————–dawgs–39——miss st pups—05
Funny
September 29th, 2011
9:53 pm
It’s so funny how the same UGA fans that were giving Malcome crap for leaving (calling him a quitter…saying he sucked…etc.) are now back on his bandwagon now that he had decided not to quit. Ha ha…stay classy UGA
bitter--often banned
September 29th, 2011
9:55 pm
@se ga fan—–stop crying –towers does a great job—–i agree that some writers—(CRAVELL)
—————————dont have a clue————–but hay there not machines—–whinner
Spaceman Spiff
September 29th, 2011
10:05 pm
Wet Willie, yawn…
Spaceman Spiff
September 29th, 2011
10:09 pm
GT Bob, really, do you just say stupid stuff? yawn…
Spaceman Spiff
September 29th, 2011
10:22 pm
whatacrew – just another bitter techie troll
Jordan
September 29th, 2011
10:35 pm
http://isportsweb.com/2011/09/29/georgia-vs-mississippi-state-preview/
Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)
September 29th, 2011
10:58 pm
Whatacrew: Why don’t you just shut the _ _ CK up?
azdawg
September 30th, 2011
2:18 am
Good to have him back now allow him to play and come what may!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Geez. I think he’s better than the two tiny mites and shoe string Samual. Give him some playing time otherwise we’ll never know if this kid is any good at all. All he can do is fail. But I don’t think he will.
Early Cuyler
September 30th, 2011
4:49 am
The kid is 5th string and behind a walk on at his position. I don’t know why so many are up in arms about his going or staying. If he can’t stay healthy enough to even practice, how can he ever be effective in a game? He has one career run for zero yards. Big deal. If he had anything for us, he’d have been in by now. It’s not like we have a ton of options at tailback. He’s had enough time in the program to have worked himself into some playing time. If he wants to stop being a crybaby and start competing then fine. Otherwise, give him the transfer and recruit someone else who can play.
Paddy
September 30th, 2011
6:34 am
azdawg……you don’t just get to play the games unless you earn it. So far, he is not earning it. A walk- on is ahead of him. I hope he works hard and gets some playing time.
Richter Scale
September 30th, 2011
7:51 am
Malcome will surprise even himself with his play going forward. I for one am glad he is saying but also very happy he took the time to look deeper at whether he wanted to play as a DAWG.
Dee
September 30th, 2011
9:19 am
If I had to make a guess it sounds as if (to me) someone has been in this kid’s ear about how he’s so far down on the depth chart that he won’t earn enough playing time to be a viable candidate for the NFL Draft in a couple of years. Good think Richt talked some sense into him about his injuries playing a part in why he’s not playing and (I hope) imparted some wisdom in how hard work pays off, that is, if he’s willing to stick it out and do it.
AltamahaDawg
September 30th, 2011
9:57 am
That might be so funny, if that actually happened.
mark
September 30th, 2011
11:03 am
Pretty obvious everybody but the haters are behind you. Strap it on and dedicate yourself. And make us all proud you stayed.
bucket
September 30th, 2011
11:29 am
I think this a chance for Boo and the coaching staff to hit the reset button on their relationship. The coaches need to know that Malcome is willing to give 100% effort because they really do need him and Malcome needs to trust the coaches that if he completely applies himself he will be rewarded.
damngooddawg!
September 30th, 2011
1:00 pm
I am amazed how my Dawgs keep quality players who aren’t given opportunity to compete by this coaching staff. Hutson Mason is a prime example. Why could Richt give playing time to DJ Shockley in each game and can’t give this kid a chance in each game. I hope this kid gets smart and goes somewhere where he can play and show his skills…which I suspect are better than Murray’s.
Dawg Tired
September 30th, 2011
1:13 pm
This situation will not end well if Malcome is not willing to work harder than he ever has before. Unless he makes that commitment, he will be back asking for another release so he go “balling” some place else. On the other hand, if he gets rid of his entitlement attitude, works hard, and starts producing like he should, there is no reason he can’t be #2 in the rotation. Afterall, no other back has shown anything to prevent him from being one of the two horses carrying the load. That could mean 15 to 20 carries a game and a good career. Otherwise, this ends badly.
Dawg Tired
September 30th, 2011
1:51 pm
In the meantime, put Samuel back at linebacker…PLEEEEZZZZZ!
maxx
September 30th, 2011
7:11 pm
Sorry to say this but…Malcolme is weak as a TB. This guy will trip and fall off of a rock if it’s in his way. Not a solid runner at all considering his size. I saw his departure coming when IC had the big game against USC. Many of these players believe that they should be starting just because they had good high school careers and when they finally come up against better talent and competition…reality sets in for many of them and they begin thinking to themselves..”maybe UGA is not for me.” If it was me…I would have sent him packin’.
Jerry
September 30th, 2011
7:15 pm
Malcome if for some reason, you get only one play against Mississippi State, then make it the best run of your life. I’ve said it before, I believe you have the talent, you have to bring it out! I’m glad you decided too return to Georgia.
You have a lot of fans and people in Georgia and Georgia fans across this nation looking for the
real Ken Malcome to show up- this very well could be your moment. I am convinced that if you began to play too your abilities, good things will happen for you.
Best of Luck..
bubba4dawgs
September 30th, 2011
8:18 pm
Ken, remember, you can be just one play away from getting in the game. That can happen at any time. Always be ready and your time will come. The key is to be ready and give it all you got when the time comes. So glad you’re back! Work hard every day! GO DAWGS!!!!
hot dawg
October 1st, 2011
5:34 am
glad he came bac and one thing about it is that he is our best power back until richard samuel atleast break one tackle at ga and the other is at some point he has to be 100 percent and he has not been since he got to ga so the first thing is to heal to not cheat yourself and the people supporting you if that means you have to gain weight to stay healthy or just rest give yourself the best chance when youre given a chance……and please BREAK ONE TACKLE RICHARD SAMUEL PLEASE ……… GO DAWGS………………….