QB Hutson Mason considers transfer due to lack of playing time
ATHENS – Georgia backup quarterback Hutson Mason said he is seriously considering transferring due to a lack of playing time behind starter Aaron Murray.
Mason, a sophomore from Marietta, said he would prefer to remain at Georgia — “I love this place even more than I expected,” he said – and would consider taking a redshirt year next season to put a year between him and Murray.
In any case, Mason said he will have to make a decision after the Bulldogs’ season is completed with the Jan. 2 Outback Bowl against Michigan State.
“I’ll just try to sit back and get away from the every day stuff and people telling me what I should do,” Mason said. “I’ll go home after the bowl game and talk to my family and talk to people I look up to. I talked to D.J. Shockley. He’s somebody who has been very valuable to me. I’m just trying to look at it from every angle. I ponder on it a lot and it’s extremely tough.”
Mason (6-foot-3, 200 pounds) signed with Georgia in 2010 after becoming the state high school record holder for passing yards (4,560) and touchdowns (54) as a senior at Lassiter High. But after his second full season with the Bulldogs, he has gotten minimal playing time and then only in mop-up duty.
In two seasons, Mason has appeared in eight games, completing 57 percent of his passes for 356 yards with 3 TDs and no interceptions. His first college play from scrimmage was a TD pass to Logan Gray.
“He’s got an uncanny ability to hit the open receiver,” quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said. “He has great vision and feel. He has great pocket presence and a very quick release. He throws all the intermediate balls extremely well. The deep ball is something we continue to work on that he’s got to improve on. But his ability to get rid of the ball quickly and spread it out underneath, he does very well.”
Bobo said that the Bulldogs are considering redshirting Mason next season and have current redshirt freshman Christian LeMay and walkons handle the backup duties. But it’s not something they’ve decided on yet.
“It’s something we’re going to talk about after the season,” Bobo said. “I’d rather not get into it now.”
Redshirting is something Mason said he would consider.
“I would. It’s something I’ll have to sit down and talk to Coach Richt about and see how they feel about it,” Mason said. “I don’t think that would be something that they’d be opposed to. I want to stay here. I really do. I want to be here; I want to be at UGA. I love this place more than I expected I would. My goal is to stay here and I want to stay here. I just need to find out whether that allows me to play the most or not.”
Mason probably would have played more by now if he hadn’t been behind one of the most durable quarterbacks in the business. Despite taking numerous shots the last two seasons, Murray has missed only a couple of snaps in any significant, meaningful games.
“You can’t take away from Aaron being that tough,” Mason said with a laugh. “It’s just the way the ball rolls. You see guys have severe injuries when they barely get hit and then you see Aaron take a shot like he did against Auburn, where he did a quadruple flip and landed on his neck. I’m like, ‘he’s got to come out after that.’ But he just gets up and trots back to the huddle.”
Malcome on top of depth chart
Redshirt freshman Ken Malcome is currently running No. 1 at tailback for the Bulldogs. Leading rusher Isaiah Crowell is No. 2 and Brandon Harton is No. 3.
That’s the way it was as of Saturday, at least, as Richard Samuel (ankle) and Carlton Thomas (knee) remained sidelined. Samuel, however, was able to practice in a limited role on Saturday. He is returning for the bowl from Nov. 1 ankle surgery.
“We expect both those other guys back, but it’s hard to have a real full-fledged competition when they’re not getting an reps,” Bobo said. “So Ken and Isaiah and Brandon are the only three we’ve got right now.”
Injury update
Starting right guard Chris Burnette did not at practice Saturday due to an illness, line coach Will Friend said. . . . Middle linebacker Mike Gilliard (ankle) and defensive end DeAngelo Tyson (ankle), both starters, still were not practicing on Saturday. . . . Wide receiver Rantavious Wooten, out since late September with a concussion caused by a car accident, is practicing in a green jersey. He will not play in the bowl, however, to preserve a medical redshirt season.
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542 comments Add your comment
Augusta dawg
December 17th, 2011
6:17 pm
Hate that it has to happen that way but the best thing for Mason would be to transfer. Lemay will take the reigns after Murray then they also have a recruit for 2013 coming in. Just happens that way. Can’t blame him for looking. I do wish him the best but hope he goes outside of the SEC so he doesn’t come back to haunt us. Richt avoided pulling Murray at times perhaps to keep from shattering his confidence.
SuperB
December 17th, 2011
6:18 pm
Stepehn A. Dawg is NOT a dawg, but a bug. Nobody forced Mason to come to Georgia. Murray was one of the top QB’s coming out of HS and Mason knew this. Back when Georgia beat Drew Brees and Purdue– Brees looked average– at best! So don’t belittle Murray, he is a winner. Lemay is also the real deal.
MaxxDawg
December 17th, 2011
6:20 pm
Hutson Mason is a stud, and he will absolutely light Defenses up. He’s accurate, can make all the throws and is a natural born fearless leader. The only problem is, he’s in between two ballyhooed recruits. Even if he does redshirt for a year, what then? He plays, and then LeMay wants to transfer? I think the UGA staff will let Mason transfer as opposed to letting LeMay get away
this dawg want hunt!!
December 17th, 2011
6:22 pm
truth, maybe u should change your name, because sometimes the truth hurts even if you are a Richt lover. But the truth is, you read the whole damn post or you wouldn’t be running your mouth. Maybe you should try something different, and tell me what i posted about your boy Richt and Bobo that isn’t the truth. Enjoy 5 more years of 3rd or 4th place finishes in SEC east you cool-aid drinker. Come back and talk to me after Richt and Bobo get their asses handed to them again by a superior defensive coaching staff at Mich.St. One more thing for you to think about, LSU’s defensive coordinator just won the award for the top assistant coach, and to think your boy Richt couldn’t get him to come join his pathetic program.
17% of all GT graduates are millionaires
December 17th, 2011
6:27 pm
Enter your comments here
17% of all GT graduates are millionaires
December 17th, 2011
6:28 pm
17% of all GT graduates are millionaires
GTBob
December 17th, 2011
6:29 pm
Aaron Murray reminds me so much of another Aaron up there in green Bay.
Is this a serious statement?
david
December 17th, 2011
6:31 pm
I wish he would come to Georgia State. We need QB help!
Big Old Dawg
December 17th, 2011
6:33 pm
17% of all GT graduates are millionaires….right
Big Old Dawg
December 17th, 2011
6:35 pm
17% of all GT graduates are millionaires……Harvard doesn’t have numbers that F-upped, do they stupid
WONDERING
December 17th, 2011
6:38 pm
Go Mason, if you RS LeMay will claim your spot and never give it up. What y’all think. Just Wondering.
Sick of GTBob
December 17th, 2011
6:42 pm
GT Bob, please see if you can find a Ga. Tech article and post there…you ALWAYS patrol UGA stories and post your crap….get a life dude
collegeballfan
December 17th, 2011
6:42 pm
I have never understood why Mason signed with UGA in the first place.
What if Murray goes NFL?
Love the attitude but it might be wise to transfer
December 17th, 2011
6:44 pm
Love HM’s attitude. DGD. He may be a better QB than AM, but he didn’t get the nod to get the PT at the beginning of his career. So, he’s riding shotgun right now and we’ll never know how good he could be. HM, if I were you, I’d transfer to Ole Miss, UNC, Wake Forest, Texas A&M, or Baylor.
From the action that I’ve seen of you, you’re too good to sit on the pine just b/c of the politics of major Division I football. You need to play and start. I’d hate to see your talent wasted away at UGA, although you love it there.
CalifornianUGAfan
December 17th, 2011
6:45 pm
Hope he sticks around. Maybe some playing time during the bowl as well???
TreDog
December 17th, 2011
6:46 pm
1. Murray likes to keeps games close against bad teams, so Mason doesn’t get a chance to compete on the field
2. Even when Murray throws 3 interceptions, Richt won’t get Mason touches
3. Even though Murray is 0-7 vs. ranked teams, Mason doesn’t get a start or a series in a big game
Mason will not get a fair shot at the position.
Alphare
December 17th, 2011
6:48 pm
Except the Auburn game, UGA struggled to keep the lead all season long even with the weakest schedule in years. That’s why Mason never got a chance is pondering leaving.
But think back, UGA rarely has a smooth QB transition. Always previous QB jumps out with all play time, and new one jump in with no prior play experience.
CHDawg
December 17th, 2011
6:56 pm
I don’t know if Chip was making a poignant example of Malcome for Hutson, or if it just happened by accident, but let’s remember that Malcome was ready to leave over playing time (I think he actually stopped practicing) 6-8 weeks ago, and suddenly he is the number one tailback at UGA! The depth chart can change fast. Mason is one play away from being the starter at UGA. Maybe Murray stays healthy and you stay off the field, but you just never know…
ADMan
December 17th, 2011
7:02 pm
Tampa Gator is a douche bag!
Valdosta Cat
December 17th, 2011
7:03 pm
Would much rather have a player who wants to be a Dawg…….The kid has a great attitude. If he decides to leave, he needs to reference Zack. It did not work out too well for him @ LSU. Not saying Mason would not make it but you’ve got to look @ all possibilites. I really believe that he’ll do o.k. whatever he desires to do. I’ll support him .
Orange11
December 17th, 2011
7:03 pm
LSU will take him.
DawgVoiceofReason
December 17th, 2011
7:04 pm
Hutson looks to be a fine quarterback. It would be nice if we could get him more playing time and fit him in with Christian. But, it looks like that is going to be tricky to make that work. I do agree that he should have gotten more time in some of the games where we did get a lead. But, Coach Richt has addressed that: he was concerned about pulling his starter too early. Maybe in hindsight he would have done it differently.
To the fools who keep trying to insult Aaron, do you not realize he shattered the all-time UGA record for touchdown passes in a season. Do you not realize he is one of the best running QBs we have had too? Yes, his teams have not won against our best opponents, but do you really think that is all HIS fault? Did you not see the dropped passes in the LSU game? Yes, he made mistakes in the South Carolina game, but did he allow the fake punt touchdown by a lineman? Was he responsible for the defensive lapses in the BSU game? Did he help AJ sell his jersey and cause him to be suspended for the first four games last year? Yes, he threw the game ending interception against FLA last year, but he also lead the comeback that tied the game up. Was he not the winning QB in the 10 straight games that we won this year, including “big games” over Fla., Auburn and Tech? That’s some serious hate or envy against this guy. Whoever you are, you are going to look like an even bigger fool when he leads UGA to victory next year over and over.
Orange11
December 17th, 2011
7:04 pm
Zack starts at LSU next season.
Orange11
December 17th, 2011
7:06 pm
You fools keep drinking the Murray kool-aid.
Shine
December 17th, 2011
7:11 pm
who cares
slydog
December 17th, 2011
7:12 pm
Hutson Mason, do what’s best for you. Sometimes being a DGD involves not only taking one for the team, but not becoming a malcontent. If a man gets to this level and realistically knows he isn’t as good as a starter should be, then focus on academics solely and a career without football is a must. However, if one feels he has the talent and potential to start or play significant minutes, then why not look out for yourself and transfer?
slydog
December 17th, 2011
7:14 pm
Also, competition at QB should be done. This by no means is a diss to Aaron Murray. But we have all agreed that one of UGA’s major problems is a sense of entitlement and a lack of depth behind the starters. We have all witness how having a “hot seat” brings about better results.
GTBob
December 17th, 2011
7:17 pm
GT Bob, please see if you can find a Ga. Tech article and post there…you ALWAYS patrol UGA stories and post your crap….get a life dude
Sorry, but when someone compares Aaron Murray to Aaron Rodgers I have to laugh. Most QB’s in the NFL aren’t comparable to Aaron Rodgers.
Buzz2011
December 17th, 2011
7:18 pm
Looks to me like the Dawgs should be starting the Mason kid instead of the little guy Murray. Murray is not very good, as he throws picks every game and fumbles too often.
Just another great Richt decision…
Kevin
December 17th, 2011
7:21 pm
I can’t believe Fla fans on here talking smack! They will LOSE to Urban with a smack down and they will end up at 6-7!! How’s the Gator Nation feeling these days with a joke of a head coach and no OC! Muschamp is a clown and I LOVE IT!!!!!! You guys better hope you can finish ahead of Vandy next year but I seriously doubt it. By the way, what do you guys do with the pant legs after you cut them off (always wondered if they were sleeves for a new jean jacket)?
Paul in NH
December 17th, 2011
7:29 pm
SuperB
December 17th, 2011
6:18 pm
….. Back when Georgia beat Drew Brees and Purdue– Brees looked average– at best!
—
Drew Brees was so average in the 2000 Outback Bowl against UGA that he was awarded the MVP trophy for the game.
Old Dog
December 17th, 2011
7:30 pm
“Except the Auburn game, UGA struggled to keep the lead all season long even with the weakest schedule in years”
That is a true statement.
” Yes, he threw the game ending interception against FLA last year”
Yea, and Bobo was telling him to RUN ONLY!
Thomas Brown
December 17th, 2011
7:32 pm
Hutson Mason is a good guy. I wish he had gotten into some games this season, too. I don’t think he is better than Aaron Murray. Christian LeMay, may be.
SatchelBuzz
December 17th, 2011
7:33 pm
In the Tech game “it finally clicked for Boo”,….really?,…what,…54 yards? That’s funny stuff right there.
THWG!!!
deaddog
December 17th, 2011
7:38 pm
Well another loss. Imagine after Michigan State puts 50 on us and Richt gets a 5 year extension we can all just burn our trailors to the ground.
Kevin
December 17th, 2011
7:38 pm
The funny thing is nobody needs to click in order to beat Tech. All they have to do is just show up! That’s been pretty apparent to everyone watching!!
Bad Dawg
December 17th, 2011
7:38 pm
I have to agree with GTBob, The only comparison you can make between Aaron Murray and Aaron Rodgers is their first names and that is about it.
Dawgvoiceofreason,
Are you really still bragging about those 10 lousy wins? Also last time I checked Aaron Murray is 0-8 versus AP top 25 teams. He pads his stats versus poor defenses. I could care less if the kid broke all the ncaaf records for passing yards, tds, etc… see Timmy Chang if he does not win the big games then none of it really matters. Furthermore Murray was handed the quarterback job no other quarterback was really given a shot to compete with except for the dismissed Zach Mettenberger. Why not see what Hutson Mason and Christian Lemay can do?
IL Jacket
December 17th, 2011
7:43 pm
It’s a pleasant problem to have for UGA. A surplus of quality quarterbacks. If Richt recruited running backs the way he recruits QBs, UGA would be really tough.
I am sure Mason will act in his own best interest, as he perceives it, I just hope the coaching staff is upfront with him. Sounds like this LeMay is a good one also. I know they are only 17 or 18 year olds, but why more thought doesn’t go into what the competition is going to be
like before they sign their LOI, I don’t know.
dd
December 17th, 2011
7:43 pm
Maybe Bobo doesn’t want to get into now, but there are UGA fans paying his salary that would like to know what exactly is going on instead of him blowing people off.
Bama Boy
December 17th, 2011
7:44 pm
Who cares?Ugas won 2 national titles in 120 YEARS!’AND guess what no title next year either! Come to Bama and least be in the hunt!Who wants to be a overated dawg anyway?
BillDog
December 17th, 2011
7:46 pm
Hello Tampa Gator — How do you like the SEC cellar? Get used to it. As the song goes, “Gator, Gator — How’d you like to bite my a$$.
Bad Dawg
December 17th, 2011
7:46 pm
Satchel Buzz, I’m pretty sure Ken Malcome did most of his damage in the Tech game on one drive. He actually had a modest 13 carries for 39 yards but UGA did not even try and establish the run versus Tech until the 4th quarter because the passing lanes were wide open for Aaron Murray.
Lakedawg
December 17th, 2011
7:46 pm
If Mason should transfer believe he loses one year eligibility giving him only one year to play, unless he went to a FBS school.
Seems smart decision would be to red shirt at UGA and compete with LeMay in 2013 or 2014.
Murray had to sit a year as has LeMay.
Wrens dog
December 17th, 2011
7:52 pm
Mason is a better qb than Murray. Murray is a inaccurate passer and poor decision maker. Mason looked very impressive against LSU. Mason throws are on the players numbers and the timing is just right vs Murray who always throws to high or either to low.
BiggDawgK
December 17th, 2011
7:53 pm
Things keep getting worse for the gaytors. If coaches and players and commits leaving every day was not bad enough, the ncaa is reported to be visiting early next year to investigate. Too much of that gatorade money has been ending up in players pockets and the nccaa can’t ignore it any longer.
Urban may have sold out his former team which would explain why ohio st is being allowed to have two staffs. Any way you look at it uf is in serious trouble and no one can give a reason to think things will be better any time soon.
Orange11
December 17th, 2011
7:55 pm
I’d much rather see the headline “Murray seriously considers transfer”.
Bad Dawg
December 17th, 2011
7:56 pm
Bama Boy, That is true and Alabama has like 14 national titles which is impressive. You must feel like Alabama has a quarterback problem if you feel he should transfer to your school and you would be surprised at how many kids grow up wanting to be a an “overrated dawg” it is puzzling. Too bad Alabama does not have any other sports teams to brag about, Imagine if Alabama had an NFL or NBA team.
zeke
December 17th, 2011
8:01 pm
Where do parents come up with these names?? A parent , mother, who had twins 20 or so years ago, while in the hospital after delivery was asked if she wanted orange or lemon jello. So this brilliant mind named her sons Oranjelo and Lemanjelo! No, I am not sure of the spelling!
Old Dog
December 17th, 2011
8:01 pm
Sort of like when Matthew Stafford jumped ship a year early, and Joe Cox was inexperienced because he had been given no play time. Same old Richt.
Bad Dawg
December 17th, 2011
8:01 pm
You are on to something Orange11 and why are so many dawg fans so excited about Florida being down? Does it give you satisfaction that UGA will beat up on some of Florida’s worst teams? I guess its payback from the last 20 years or something. Don’t worry dawg nation, incredibly UGA still leads the series even afer losing 18 out of 22 but kicking then while they are down is pointless.