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.
542 comments Add your comment
jvillebil
December 17th, 2011
10:01 pm
Tampa Gator I normally don’t crack on you, well, because Florida has been so good and kicked our butts for so long, but my mentally handicapped brother in law is a die hard Braves/UGA fan. He lives up in Ga. He asked me, “Is Florida going to a bowl game this year?” I told him, “Yes the toliet bowl and the loser gets flushed!”
Dawg48
December 17th, 2011
10:04 pm
Georgia had a lot of recruits on campus this weekend!
From the reports I have seen things went great with them all!
TampaGator
December 17th, 2011
10:04 pm
Chris…..
Agholor had a terrific visit to Gainesville last weekend and Latroy Pittman, currently committed to the Gators, said he felt Agholor was a Gator after spending the weekend with him….and the Gators might have sealed it by offering his best friend, a LB/FB from his high school. Two will mostly like ink with Florida…..Auburn has been Florida’s main competion for Nelson…..but I think the situation on the Plains might have sealed the deal for the Gators. But who knows for sure.
Runnin with the Dawgs
December 17th, 2011
10:05 pm
Mason is way too good to be sitting on the bench.
Big Bad Bob
December 17th, 2011
10:05 pm
To Tampa Gaytor. The Gaytors are not going down. They are already DOWN and will never get back up again. The DAWGS rule, not only the East, but the SEC! Goooooooooooooooooooooooo DAWGS!
A person SMART enough to know......
December 17th, 2011
10:06 pm
Bobo Screwed him and will continue to do so. MASON can PLAY and needs to go to a School and Play. He is better than Murray but Richt will not let that be seen.
TampaGator
December 17th, 2011
10:08 pm
jvillebil…..
At least it ain’t the Liberty or Independence Bowls…..and if the Gators lose…..it won’t be against Central Florida. Ohio State vs. Florida……not much of a bowl game for sure….but it is two great programs experiencing down years….but both loaded with young talent and on their way back up.
A person SMART enough to know......
December 17th, 2011
10:08 pm
Want a Personalized gift? Something from the heart? Check this site and go to the Bird house Page.
http://www.atlantahaulitallinc.com/Bird_Houses.php
You can request your own theme.
Dawg48
December 17th, 2011
10:09 pm
Hmmmmmmmmmmm
Chris
December 17th, 2011
10:10 pm
A person smart enough to knoww………
Murray is better than mason. he is a great qb and we dont appreciate him on these blogs. Its crazy to me.
Big Bad Bob-
Florida is florida. I wish it wasnt true but with florida’s talent they cant stay down for very long.
TampaGator.
I knew agholor was most likely not going to go to uga, but i hope he doesnt go to florida cuz he is a great playr. I think he will play safety. thats his best position not wide receiver but with his speed he would be a good receiver all yall need is a qb
TampaGator
December 17th, 2011
10:12 pm
BigBadBob….
Yep….that 4 point Georgia win this year over the Gators was demoralizing…..
Reminder….
LSU 41, Florida 11 (freshman QB playing in Baton Rouge)
LSU 42, Georgia 10 (your great QB playing in Atlanta)
Yep…..Georgia is obviously so much better than Florida. Why….not sure.
bitter QB
December 17th, 2011
10:13 pm
bottom line—-murry has lost the right to QB the bowl game—–he was horrible in the boise st game—horrible in the south carolina
—————————-horrible in the LSUUUUU game————he deserves the bench——start mason
———————————————–just saying—but then again you play dope smoke-in running backs that turn there back to you
——————–sorry dawg nation———–be glad we have COACH GRATHAM
Chris
December 17th, 2011
10:14 pm
Uga is better than florida right now. Uga played lsu with freshman running backs and wide receivers. WE are better than yall and will be again next year. I dont know about the next year cuz we will lose a lot of players on defense but next year and this year we are better than yall
Dirty Dawg
December 17th, 2011
10:15 pm
Hey TampaGator…perhaps a little projection in that post, along with a bit of desperation. We’ll work it out with young Mr. Mason, meanwhile what’s the over/under on how long before you guys dump Will?
TampaGator
December 17th, 2011
10:15 pm
Chris…..
Jacoby Brissett is going to be an outstanding QB in the SEC…..and so might Jeff Driskell. Muschamp likes these two so much he isn’t even recruiting a QB this year. Florida does not need Nelson as a safety……they are loaded at that position. He will be a WR at Florida….and Auburn is recruiting him as a WR as well. Georgia, I believe, wants him as a safety.
Dawg48
December 17th, 2011
10:15 pm
Chris
Did you see the recruits that UGA had on campus this weekend?
TampaGator
December 17th, 2011
10:16 pm
Dirty Dawg…..
My over/under is that Mushcamp will retire from coaching the Gators in about 20 years or so.
bitter QB
December 17th, 2011
10:16 pm
TAMPA GAYTARD—-IS TIDE ROLL————–both wal-mart parking lot cleaners—-hahahahah
Move over lil' dog, the big dog is moving in
December 17th, 2011
10:17 pm
TampaGator – seriously, any good nude beaches near Tampa?
A person SMART enough to know......
December 17th, 2011
10:17 pm
CHRIS……………………and MURRAY has beat what GOOD team or team with better than a .500 record in 2 years?
That is what I thought
Dawg48
December 17th, 2011
10:18 pm
Dang……
How many bowl games are playing in new Orleans this year?
Chris
December 17th, 2011
10:18 pm
bitter qb seriously????
oour big game this year have been boise st, south carolina, florida, auburn, georgia tech, and lsu
Boise St- I’ll admit murray played awful but he had little blocking and no running game and young receivers
South carolina- He played great we scored 45 points. The interception was bad but what qb doesn’t throw interceptions (though it was costly). The fumble wasn’t his fault cuz cordy glenn got blown past and murray didn’t see him coming
Florida- He played great
Auburn- Playd great
Gt- Played great
Lsu- Murray started off good, but yes he turned the ball over too much. He played ok considering he only had blocking the first quarter, he had no running game, and his receivers dropped 4 to 5 balls including 2 touchdowns
Your an idiot
Coastal Dog SSI
December 17th, 2011
10:19 pm
If I’m Mason, I’m leaving. Nobody with talent should sit behind someone who gets all the snaps. We’re making a mistake not giving a series here or there to other QB’s. If a man can start a lot of places why would he collect splinters at any school? BS on redshirting.
Mike the Tiger
December 17th, 2011
10:19 pm
Mason should come on down to LSU.
TampaGator
December 17th, 2011
10:19 pm
Chris…..
The Dawgs were 4 points better this year playing against a one-legged QB, no Demps, and no Chaz Green.
You were 2 points worse against LSU….in a much better setting for your guys.
If Brissett gets it over the spring and summer……I think the Gators easily make up those 4 points in JAX next October.
A person SMART enough to know......
December 17th, 2011
10:20 pm
MURRAY is 16-10 with no No NO impressive wins against quality opponents. My Name is Murray and I beat the pantie waste of the SEC. I am the GOD of SEC QB’s.
Chris
December 17th, 2011
10:21 pm
Dawg 48
your right we have some great talent that is still considering uga. Like josh harvery clemons (5 star linebacker) and fsu commit (linebacker 4 star and he is rumored to be considering a flip) and also mike davis (florida decommit) who loved the dawgs he said.
We will also probably get todd gurley too. That would be 3 of the top 10 running backs in the country
TampaGator
December 17th, 2011
10:22 pm
Move over…..
Tampa is too classy for nude beaches. You will have to head down to Miami to fulfill your interest. But the beaches are nice here….as you Dawg fans will soon find out…..especially Caladesi.
TampaGator
December 17th, 2011
10:24 pm
Well……Aaron Murray is happy tonight…..as Plant High School just won another state championship…..they have a great high school coach.
TampaGator
December 17th, 2011
10:25 pm
You guys looking forward to the Gator basketball team coming to Athens this year?
Have a nice evening.
Chris
December 17th, 2011
10:25 pm
a person smart enough to know…… i guess your not the person who is smart enough to know murray is our best offensive player (he won offensive mvp at dawg night if you are going to argue that)
TampaGAtor- I haven’t really seen briskett play so i wouldn’t know. But we will also be a lot better this year with our defense not losing anyone but tyson (who will be replaced by garrison smith who is a stud) and boykin (who is a great player but we can replace. Our offensive backs will be a year older. We are adding depth to running back in recruiting. If we can replace our o line its going to be a great season
Dawg48
December 17th, 2011
10:25 pm
Chris
We had 2 four stare corners that visited , currently rank #11 and # 16 in the country this weekend.
I saw that UGA could get a commentment soon.
Josh dawson also showed up and said he loved the place and has a great relationship with granthem.
Chris
December 17th, 2011
10:26 pm
is one of those corners chaz elders??? he is down to south carolina and us
also what postion is josh dawson
TXDawg3
December 17th, 2011
10:28 pm
Mason is a good athlete, no doubt & I hope he does well regardless of the decision he makes.
However, I would like to ask all of you who suggest his apparent superior exploits of the LSU defense would be the norm in his future opportunities to consider the following:
…Mason appeared superior because the LSU wasn’t prepared for him as a quarterback…they had prepared for Murray. Case in point, GA shut down TN Vol QB Bray earlier this year because GA prepared for Bray, but when he was injured, their backup QB (Simms) almost beat GA with his heroics. Every other defense shut him down because they prepared specifically for him as a QB & he was eventually replaced by a Freshman QB.
After suggesting this as a possibility, I still believe that Mason can, and will develop into a good SEC QB. If memory serves right, wasn’t UGA the only school to aggressively recruit Mason and make an offer? And, wasn’t that offer based on his Sr year in stats alone?
In addition, you might consider that Murray has that instinct to win and simply finds a way to do it. Yeah, I know many will say that he hasn’t beaten a top 20 team, but, then again, he can’t play all 22 positions at the same time for every game. He does his part & somehow manages to keep fighting. He did it in high school, has done it these last 2 yrs & will continue to do so as long as he is in football. He may not throw the best spiral, but he won’t quit. He always works to get the job done.
Football has always been more enjoyable to watch with people like Murray…he may not quite be there yet, but his actions remind me of Y.A. Tittle, Joe Kapp, Sonny Jerguson, Roger Staubach & even though many of you won’t like it, Tim Tebow. All of these were highly criticized, but given time, they won because they didn’t know how to quit.
A person SMART enough to know......
December 17th, 2011
10:30 pm
CHRIS…………Hahahhahahha SO the F what. Crowell Sucked and the Other RB’s were run off the team before the season. MURRAY is NOTHING special. is he the next Greene, DJ, Zeier, Cox, or Carter? he will never be close to Fatt Matt Stifford.
Dawg48
December 17th, 2011
10:31 pm
Chris
No not elder…..
They are both from Memphis tn
Dawson and Redmond
http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=9&c=4&pid=30&yr=2012
Dawson is a LB # 2 over all rated player in the nation.
For 2013
Chris
December 17th, 2011
10:31 pm
your an idiot murray is great qb theres a reason he was 1st team sec in some polls
Chris
December 17th, 2011
10:32 pm
oh ok our 2013 class is going to be incredible!!! there is so much talent in the state of georgia that year
Dawg48
December 17th, 2011
10:33 pm
Smart enough to know
Do you own a mustang?
moboman
December 17th, 2011
10:33 pm
too much tallent to waste it on the bench behind Murray. He should go where he can play.
A person SMART enough to know......
December 17th, 2011
10:33 pm
48…………you going to get more 4* workers for the White Girls College and Plantation of Georgia? I still need some gas money for the Wreck for the ride to El Paso. Time to cash in the S&H green stamps. Hahahahaha
Idiot Dawg
December 17th, 2011
10:33 pm
Chris, it is not nice to call people an idiot!
Chris
December 17th, 2011
10:34 pm
great post Txdawg3
Chris
December 17th, 2011
10:34 pm
oh i apologize
Dawg48
December 17th, 2011
10:35 pm
Smart
Georgia is like hollywood!
We love our stars!
A person SMART enough to know......
December 17th, 2011
10:35 pm
A Man can’t live on Fried Twinkies alone for that long of a trip. LOL
Dawg48
December 17th, 2011
10:36 pm
Smart
Are watching the bowl game?
Chris
December 17th, 2011
10:38 pm
who doesn’t love stars???
Dawg48
December 17th, 2011
10:39 pm
Chris
Lol
jack bull
December 17th, 2011
10:40 pm
“your an idiot” (should be you’re, as in YOU ARE) “i guess your not the person who is smart enough…” (should be you’re, as in YOU ARE)… Mess it up once, it’s a mistake, but twice, well, we know who the idiot is….Nice!
Murray’s okay. Nothing more, nothing less. Yes, he had some drops in the first qtr, but re-watch the game, he missed wide open guys the rest of the night. The fumble in the third qtr was terrible, he threw another pick 6. In the USC game, he threw a pick 6, and would’ve had two, if we didn’t tackle the guy on the 3 yd line. Regardless of Glenn missing a block, he’s got to tuck the ball away. I was at the game against LSU and listening to the radio broadcast, and even Zeier said, at least 7-8 times, “Murray’s got to hit him right there, he was open”. And let’s not even talk about the Kentucky game, that was probably his worst game of the year. He’s decent, no where close to being ‘great’. And one more thing, Bobo has totally had to abandon the screen pass, one of the staples to our offense, because Murray CAN’T complete that throw.
Not hating, just sayin…