Dogs’ defenders pass on draft; QB Mason will stay, redshirt
ATHENS — At one point, Georgia football coach Mark Richt conceded Friday, he feared losing as many as a half-dozen underclassmen to this year’s NFL draft.
“It’s kind of scary to think you might lose two, three, four, five, six great players,” Richt said. “If you looked at the worst-case scenario for who might leave, there was certainly going to be a youth movement around here.”
As it turned out, though, all of Georgia’s draft-eligible juniors except tight end Orson Charles decided to return for their senior seasons.
Among those who seriously considered entering the draft but decided to stay in school: outside linebacker Cornelius Washington, defensive end Abry Jones and defensive backs Bacarri Rambo, Sanders Commings, Shawn Williams and Branden Smith.
“We had options, and we chose to stay,” Washington said. “That just shows everybody we really want to do something big next season.”
Charles announced his departure several days ago, and Georgia so welcomed the other players’ decisions to stay that it held a news conference Friday to spread the word.
Friday also brought word that sophomore backup quarterback Hutson Mason, who had been considering transferring, has decided to remain at UGA, where the plan will be to redshirt him next season to ensure that his eligibility extends beyond starting quarterback Aaron Murray’s.
Without the redshirt, Mason’s eligibility would expire after the 2013 season, the same as Murray’s. But with the redshirt, Mason is ensured of having at least one season after Murray vacates the quarterback position -– or two seasons if Murray decides to leave for the NFL a year from now.
“Coach Richt and Coach [Mike] Bobo offering me a redshirt was a huge pivotal point and my deciding factor,” Mason said. “I was almost 100 percent leaving until I went and talked to them and they said they were interested in me redshirting.”
Mason and Richt acknowledged the possibility that the redshirt plan could be scratched if Murray gets injured, particularly early in the season. But otherwise, the plan will be to go into the season with Christian LeMay as Murray’s backup. LeMay was redshirted as a freshman last season.
Mason said that if he had left, he would have sought to transfer to another FBS school, meaning he would have had to sit out next season. So it made sense to him to take the redshirt at Georgia rather than elsewhere.
“My heart’s here,” said Mason, who is from Marietta. “I want to win a championship here.”
“He’s outstanding in our system, and it fits him extremely well in my opinion,” Richt said. “I think he made a great decision.”
Murray was noncommittal on whether next season will be his last in college before entering the NFL draft.
“I can’t predict what’s going to happen,” Murray said. “We’ll see how next season goes.”
Georgia’s prospects for the season were bolstered by the unanimous decisions of the defense’s draft-eligible underclassmen to forgo the draft. Several said they were advised by the NFL’s underclassmen advisory committee that they could have been selected as high as the third round.
Richt said the Bulldogs had more players than usual consider the draft, “and for good reason because they’re going to end up in the NFL one day.”
Outside linebacker Jarvis Jones made it clear all season that he would be back, and Rambo announced his return several days ago. Rambo told Richt at one point that he would enter the draft, but subsequently changed his mind. Jones and Rambo were named first-team All-Americans by the Associated Press.
Several other defensive players had not revealed their stay-or-go choices until Friday, and some said the decision was agonizing.
“I was still undecided until today,” Smith said. “I felt like I was back in high school being recruited again, just trying to make a decision. I know I made the right decision, sticking with the team one more year.”
“Just the thought of [the NFL], you might get excited about it,” Abry Jones said. “But I thought about the year we could have, and I thought, ‘Might as well give it one more shot and have some more fun in college.’”
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294 comments Add your comment
GTBob
January 13th, 2012
4:57 pm
@GTBob face it you’d trade a least one nut (if you still have one) for a SEC east title
Why would anyone on earth care about winning a division of a conference? Especially when you only won it because of the schedule.
WDE
January 13th, 2012
4:57 pm
dawgster good points.
Bama mike
January 13th, 2012
4:58 pm
Todd Grantham just announced that his immediate plans are to remain at Georgia for a very long time. His is not a candidate for Cordinators job in the Mens section at Macy’s
WDE
January 13th, 2012
4:59 pm
@GTBob I noticed you didn’t deny it..and of course if the bugs every won anything it would be by playing the very toughest of the directional Carolina schools wouldn’t it.
RedandBlackDAWG
January 13th, 2012
4:59 pm
GTBob,
It would do little good to tell you to return to the tech. blogs because from the comments given about you , they don’t want you there either. I have narrowed you down to either a teenager, who just likes to get a rise out of talking B.S. around adults, or a fan of some other team.
You have become a non entity and from here on out, I hope UGA fans on these blogs will ignore you, as you have a lot of mental issue to deal with. You are a snert. As far as I am concerned, you just do not exist.
Megan
January 13th, 2012
4:59 pm
I think this speaks volumes about the direction of our football program! We finally have some young men who want to step up and be leaders and, hopefully, champions! I hope it also sends a message to some of the younger men that its time they mature and play as a team. This excites me tremendously!
Mark
January 13th, 2012
5:00 pm
dawgster
Good point, and don’t think that i am a Murray hater, but i call it like i see it. He has a ton of upside, but carelessness with the ball has plaqued him two years running. I as a huge UGA fan, and alum would love to see more consistency from him. I know the mindset it takes to play in big games. I just do not see the “I am gonna take this game over” mentality in him. Like I said dawgster, I am not a Murray hater, but would love to see more competitiveness out of him. Oh and protection of the football.
WDE
January 13th, 2012
5:00 pm
@Bama mike hey congrats on the NC now troll on off into the sunset…
OkieDawg
January 13th, 2012
5:00 pm
A big shout out to the state of North Carolina. Thank you for sending us two of your finest. Everything I have seen and heard indicates that both Marshall and Gurley are high character young men and both do well academically. That is a something several of our recent 4/5* recruits seem to lack.
The Factor
January 13th, 2012
5:00 pm
@GTBob,
Well here you are again. Do you miss a UGA article?
RiffRaff
January 13th, 2012
5:00 pm
WDE – you’re right, I’m sure she is a nice woman. Maybe one day her son with find a football team of his own.
sogadog
January 13th, 2012
5:02 pm
I was hoping they would open up the QB competition and let Mason alternate with Murray IN GAMES and see who the best QB is. Mason seems like another David Greene to me for some reason. Murray gets too wild with the ball under pressure and he cost us two big games last year with interceptions and fumbles: Mich State and South Carolina.
GTBob
January 13th, 2012
5:04 pm
RedandBlackDAWG, stop it, you are hurting my feelings. lol.
GTBob
January 13th, 2012
5:05 pm
Well here you are again. Do you miss a UGA article?
I try not to. I took a couple of days off for vacation during the Munson grieving. But that’s about it.
2Dawgs
January 13th, 2012
5:06 pm
My father went to Tech but Tech still sucks.
Spanky
January 13th, 2012
5:07 pm
Good post, dawgster, and thanks Mark!
Mark
January 13th, 2012
5:08 pm
dawgster, I also stated that I would love to see the competition on a yearly basis. I never said Mason was the best QB, but think most good players progress each season. Bottom line is that I would have loved to see them go head to head this year. I also stand by my statement of wishing we could have seen Mason in some of those games last year when Murray was not doing so well. But as true Dawg fans we can agree to disagree. Bottom line is that I am excited about next year with the players we have coming back, and the ones that committed to the Dawgs.
Mark
January 13th, 2012
5:09 pm
No prob Spanky. Have a good one.. GO DAWGS!!
WDE
January 13th, 2012
5:09 pm
@RiffRaff we can only hope….hehe
RiffRaff
January 13th, 2012
5:11 pm
Mason has great “touch” when he throws a ball. Nice spiral, pretty accurate. Wish he had a chance to play more but it is what it is. I’m glad he’s sticking around. DGD.
Jerome
January 13th, 2012
5:11 pm
If we win an SEC title or even a national title, how will Orson Charles feel? Left out? I would.
Vampire Bill
January 13th, 2012
5:11 pm
Now what we need is a couple more 5 star linemen. Strength and conditioning has to remain the off season focus. Love to see another stud Juco kid come on board.
Spanky
January 13th, 2012
5:11 pm
We now need OL..galore!!! Coach Friend will hopefully do wonders!
GTBob
January 13th, 2012
5:12 pm
WDE – you’re right, I’m sure she is a nice woman. Maybe one day her son with find a football team of his own.
If you knew my mom then you would know that she hates you guys worse then I do.
WDE
January 13th, 2012
5:12 pm
@Jerome good point but I’m sure a few million in the bank will help the young man heal..
GTBob
January 13th, 2012
5:13 pm
If we win an SEC title or even a national title, how will Orson Charles feel? Left out?
Like a millionaire whose talents aren’t being wasted.
WDE
January 13th, 2012
5:13 pm
@GTBob well Bless Her Heart!
Jerome
January 13th, 2012
5:15 pm
I think these players love being at Georgia and want a ring before they leave. They’re gonna get it! Work hard gentlemen. Orson, you could have learned from these guys. I honestly lost my respect for Orson when he said “It really wasn’t a hard decision.” WHAT?! This is your home college and it wasn’t hard to leave your friends, football buddies for a 2nd round pick? He couldve stayed and went in the 1st round next season, more money, and could have had a championship at UGA in his senior season to boot. Sounds a lot like Justin Houston to me.
pj
January 13th, 2012
5:16 pm
Being a tech troll is kind of like winning gold at the special olympics.
Dawg Man
January 13th, 2012
5:16 pm
If we are not National Champs next year, then something is wrong !!!!!! We just got another solid recruiting class and for the next 6 years, National Champs should spell Dawgs !!!!! We have the best coach and DC in the nation. I bet after we blow out SC and Florida that they will forfeit rather than be run off the field by the National Champ dogs !!!!
dawgster
January 13th, 2012
5:16 pm
@Mark…I didn’t mean to imply you were a hater…If I did, I apologize, sincerely..Just wanted to add some facts of the little knowledge and connections that I have..I agree that Murray has to show he can perform in the big games, or at least what we perceive as big games…And yes ball security is something he needs to improve on…i think he tries to do too much at itme..Hopefully next year we will have some additional weapons that he can use..(some consistanncy in the runnig game/)…Anyway good comments…go dawgs
DAWG in Bama
January 13th, 2012
5:16 pm
WEEEERRRREEEE BAAAAAACCCCCKKKKK!!!! Junkyard Dawgs look like it will finally be like it was between 2001 to 2005!!! I see a ring in the future ONLY IF we keep our heads right in the off season.GATA DAWGS!!!!! 2012 and 2013 might be GREAT years!!!! Only if Larry Munson could see the talent that is being established!!!
Jerome
January 13th, 2012
5:17 pm
@ GTbob, I know having millions is nice, but nothing beats winning a national title man. NOTHING. With the guys you bleed, sweat, and cry with. The guys you bust your ass with. Nothing beats that. Winning a title. Something Orson will never do. Good luck to him but that wasn’t the right move. He could’ve improved.
WDE
January 13th, 2012
5:17 pm
@pj that made me laugh so loud I spilled my drink! Good one!
WDE
January 13th, 2012
5:18 pm
@Dawg Man = troll…..Bug anyone?
GTBob
January 13th, 2012
5:19 pm
Winning a title. Something Orson will never do.
So you think he should have transferred to Alabama instead of going pro?
Jerome
January 13th, 2012
5:20 pm
Now we need some O-linemen and maybe a DB or two and we should be set. We are filling the cupboard with talented young men who want to bring Georgia a national title. Something about 2012 just seems like it’s the Dawgs’ year. 2011 was a stepping stone, we learned a lot, had a very young team, and now they know. They know what to do. Let’s go get it!
Mark
January 13th, 2012
5:21 pm
dawgster,
I didn’t mean to imply I thought you were buddy. Forgive me for I am deployed to Afghanistan right now, and it has been slow the past few weeks. That Michigan St. game still has me upset. Hell I’m still upset about the SEC Championship game. How we looked so damn good in the 1st half, and lay an egg in the 2nd just blows my mind. Yes the running game definitely needs improvement brother. Hopefully w will see a big difference with the commitments we just received. Take care, and forgive my hot headiness, as I am stir crazy right now.
Jerome
January 13th, 2012
5:22 pm
Another off-season with our Strength & Conditioning could do wonders for us as well. Joe T will whip these boys into shape. Did you see Cordy Glenn’s transformation from 2010 to 2011? He was fat and pudgy in his uniform, but in 2011 he was a tall, lean, athletic looking lineman. Ben Jones as well. The S & C program worked. Just give it time.
WDE
January 13th, 2012
5:23 pm
@Mark glad your a Dog fan,but no matter who your team is thanks for your service! Keep your head down and Go Dogs !
dawgster
January 13th, 2012
5:23 pm
@Mark..saw your additional post…Agree…wish Mason would have gotten some additonal opportunities also…Sometimes you can not always gauge everything just on practice…Walker #34 was not a wow factor for the most part in practice, but in real game time situation…well we know the answer to that…Not saying Mason would light it up in the same aspect, but I too would have like to see him more than just mop up duty…I think we agree more than you think….go dawgs
Jerome
January 13th, 2012
5:24 pm
GTBob, when do you think your gonna beat UGA again? 2012? 2013? 2014? Nah. hahahaha
GTBob
January 13th, 2012
5:25 pm
GTBob, when do you think your gonna beat UGA again?
Maybe never. Probably at some random time though. Ill guess, 2018.
ol' balls coach
January 13th, 2012
5:27 pm
Good news. Better news would be open up the competition for QB position and make Murray earn it…and redshirt Bobo.
dawgster
January 13th, 2012
5:30 pm
@Mark in no way do you owe me or anyone an apology…I also want to say more than thanks for your service…I can promise you that I wasn’t a happy camper either…got to see my dawgs lose in person in Tampa and I wasn’t pleasant to be around for a day or two…Again I thank from my family and friends for your courage and service to our country…..When you doing what you are doing it puts football in perspective…but glad you have the opportunity take part in these discussions while serving…Prayers be with you from all of us….go dawgs..
OkieDawg
January 13th, 2012
5:32 pm
GTBob, Do you know the difference between “then” and “than”?
Jerome
January 13th, 2012
5:32 pm
If our O-line comes through next season, and Bobo opens up a little bit, we’re heading for some big things. I admit our schedule is soft, but I don’t care. I just want a title.
Jerome
January 13th, 2012
5:34 pm
I think GTbob is a UGA fan. He wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t. Georgia has more news reported about them than GT does so that’s why he’s here. Bless his heart. You kinda can’t blame him. He wants to be a DAWG…come on GTBob, you better hop on while you can.
Jerome
January 13th, 2012
5:35 pm
IS IT JUST ME….OR is GT football kinda boring? LMAO…GT sucks
MontyP
January 13th, 2012
5:37 pm
Did Mark Richt and Mike Bobo just make the same mistake with Mason that they did with Joe Cox when Matthew Stafford was the starting QB? They promised him the starting job in 2009 even though they had a highly tallented new recruit Aaron Murray joining the team before the season. As a matter of fact he enrolled early. Instead of letting Murray compete for the starting job as a red shirt freshmen they put him on the scout team. Joe also thought about transferring but he stuck around for some reason and was rewarded with the starting QB job in 2009. I think Mason should get his shot to start but they better make him earn it over Lemay and any other QBs on the team.