DL Derrick Lott becomes latest roster casualty for Bulldogs
ATHENS — Defensive lineman Derrick Lott has become the latest roster casualty for the Georgia Bulldogs.
Lott, a 6-foot4, 303-pound junior from Kennesaw, decided to transfer “in order to obtain more playing time,” according to an announcement Friday night by head coach Mark Richt. No word on where Lott is headed but, if it is on the FBS level (formerly Division 1) he will have to sit out a year.
Lott
“Derrick and I met and he believes he will have opportunities for more playing time elsewhere,” Richt said in a statement. “We support him and will assist in any way possible during this process.”
Lott could not be reached for comment. He was probably attending a show.
Lott played in just five career games. He concludes his UGA career with 10 total tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss.
Defensive line coach Rodney Garner spoke glowingly of Lott’s progress and abilities earlier this week. Though a career backup, Lott had tripped over some bad fortune — he ripped open his leg in a scooter accident before this past season — and appeared to be coming into his own this spring. According to several accounts of recent interviews with Lott, he spoke excitedly and optimistically about the upcoming season and the prospects it held for him.
Lott’s decision comes on the heels of the news that two more defensive players — All-America safety Bacarri Rambo and star linebacker Alec Ogletree — had flunked drug tests and are going to be suspended for multiple games at the beginning of the season. Alan Ingram, Rambo’s coach at Seminole County High School, said yesterday that as many as five Georgia players had failed surprise post-spring-break drug screenings.
Two other defensive starters are also expected miss games due to arrests in the last two months. So that’s 10 players that have either left the Bulldogs, been dismissed from the team or are expected to miss games due to suspensions since the calendar flipped to 2012. The others are:
- TB Carlton Thomas, Sr.: Three separate one-game suspensions in 2011. Quit team before spring practice
- CB Branden Smith, Sr.: Faces suspension of at least one game for marijuana arrest.
- CB Sanders Commings, Sr.: Gets 2-game suspension for simple battery, disorderly conduct conviction.
- WR Sanford Seay, RFr.: Dismissed from team in January for rules violation.
- DB Chris Sanders, So.: Dismissed from team in January for rules violation.
- DB Nick Marshall, So.: Dismissed from team in January for rules violation.
- CB Jordan Love, Jr.: Quit team shortly after season due to a lack of playing time.
– Chip Towers, The UGA Blog
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285 comments Add your comment
uga1984
March 31st, 2012
7:16 am
The majority of these comments are amusing. Oddly, Stinger2 has got it right!!! When player make decisions based on their own needs, the FANS should understand. Some players are simply better than others, and who wants to sit on the bench when they can be playing elsewhere. It’s the players decision – not the fans!!!
Regarding the recent suspensions, when will these fans recognize that UGA does things differently than other SEC schools!!!!! We drug test more than most, & we penalize more than most!!!! CMR is doing more than just coaching football – he is trying to raise men too. It will ultimately serve these guys well in the future. There are those of you who think the CMR’s only responsibility is to field the BEST football team possible. However, it all boils down to playing a GAME, and I believe his responsibilities go far beyond that. Education and character development are far more important. It is regrettable to hear that most people commenting don’t feel that way.
Mark Richt will just up and Quit
March 31st, 2012
7:25 am
Don’t give me that crudola, either of you.
The very players you are defending broke their trust with Mark Richt on their part of their bargain between them and Mark Richt on the Scholarships Mark Richt gave each of the 33 players who will not play Mizzou, whom Mark Richt gave Scholarships to to play vs Mizzou.
Beast from the East
March 31st, 2012
7:27 am
Sounds like he may be one of the “other 3″ that failed the drug tests. Who knows?
On a lighter note, the UFPD is just as “gung-ho” as the ones in Athens. Multiple (yes multiple) cops chased down Erving Walker for stealing a $3 taco. You can’t make this stuff up!
Mark Richt will just up and Quit
March 31st, 2012
7:29 am
The vast majority of the 33 spent their every day here in BAD PRESS, arrests, suspensions, failure to live up to Georgia Way, failed drug tests, beat ing up a girl, another beat ing up a girl, another 2nd degree as sault in Maryland kept secret from us for a year and a half after the arrest, Academic Fail ure, Felony Theft not reported to Police according to the Police Chief Himself, held out of the bowl game FLUNK ED OUT, stole from teammates,
Print the List
March 31st, 2012
7:32 am
I would like to see a list of players that have left UGA next to the same list from Bama in the last 4 years. Is UGA’s longer?
Babalu Skies and the Mach Number
March 31st, 2012
7:32 am
Can you say C-E-S-S-P-O-O-L.
Mark Richt will just up and Quit
March 31st, 2012
7:32 am
every Secondary player arrested for drugs, and now we have 5 who failed a drug test yesterday and Mark Richt won’t tell us who the 5 are – but we figured out 2 of the 5 failed drug tests.
ole yeller
March 31st, 2012
7:34 am
My take on conduct with the player are. (!) Uga is not off the hook for the way thay handle the players. (2) High School Coach need to do a better job with their high profile college bound players. (3) Players parents of the these high profile players need to do a better job while in high school and beyound. No one is exempt from trying to help these young men. Life and all is temtation is not easy to deal with as a young man, we all need help. THING ABOUT IT.
Mark Richt will just up and Quit
March 31st, 2012
7:34 am
I don’t have Alabama’s list, but you are on drugs if you think this is going on like this on ANY OTHER PROGRAM :
Mark Richt Signed Scholarships for 2012 to :
1.AJ Harmon SR # 10 OT nation 5-Star, academic failure transfer
2.Dontavius Jackson SR # 23 TB 4-Star, DUI transfer
3.Carlton Thomas SR TB suspended 3 times 2011 alone, 1 of the 3 times Isaiah Crowell, Ken Malcome, and Carlton Thomas were all 3 suspended the same game 1 game after the Florida game for failing a drug test on Thursday two days before the Florida game, now he transfers – is he one of the 5 who failed the drug test, not disclosed ? Isaiah Crowell ? Ken Malcome again ? Aaron Murray who has been given byes for all his transgressions including a sex photo him with glasses on spring break with 3 men in his motel room ?
4.Brent Benedict SO # 10 OT 4-Star, transfer over S & Cond
5.Nick Williams SR Safety, transfer could’ve redshirt 2011, should’ve been suspended for late hit, dirty hit trying to hurt star player Tim Tebow, also had Todd Grantham grab him up by the scruff of the neck near end Todd’s 1st G-Day Game and drag him off the field for a similar hit then too.
6.Marcus Dowtin R SR # 7 LB nation 4-Star, transfer could’ve redshirt 2011, charged with second-degree assault in his home state of Maryland in 2010, suspended by coach Mark Richt for the Bulldogs’ bowl game before he transferred, now hopes to be drafted by NFL in 5th round.
7.Bryce Ros JR # 22 TE listed med disq like Jeremy Longo
8.Johnathan Owens SR # 39 OT listed med disq like Jeremy Longo
9.DE Jeremy Longo SR with Commings when beat up girl transfer
10.Xavier Tyrone Avery SR RB, signed 2009 UGA instead baseball
11.Toby Jackson SR # 9 DE 4-Star failed qualify transfer
12.Makiri Pugh SR Safety CB, transfer Suspended Colorado 11/10/11
13.Montez Robinson SR # 10 DE 4-* beat up girl transfer
14.Washaun Ealey SR # 15 RB nation 4-Star, suspended 1 game hit and run driving suspended license car owned by Jakar Hamilton, also suspended again later undisclosed not Georgia way, transfer
15.Lonnie Outlaw JR WR failed qualify, transfer
16.Jakar Hamilton SR Safety 4-Star, allowed Ealey drive suspended lic transfer
17.Derek Owens JR CB, Academic Failure suspended bowl transfer
18.Demetre Baker JR # 23 LB 4-Star, kicked off DUI transfer
19.Jalen Fields JR DE 4-Star, failed qualify, transfer
20.Kent Turene FR LB failed qualify Dream Team # 1
21.Chris Mayes SO DT failed qualify Dream Team # 2
22.Chris Little SR # 12 OT 4-Star transfer, ruled ineligible what ? Steroids ?
23.Orson Charles SR DUI TE said NFL who don’t accept DUI either
24. Derrick Lott, JR DE, fine looking young man, transfer
25.Zach Mettenberger JR # 14 QB 4-* sexual battery, transfer
26.Jordan Lawrence Love JR 12/31/90 # 21 CB 4-* arrested didn’t know middle name or birthday, transfer
27.Sanford Seay RFR SE theft transfer Dream Team 3
28.Chris Sanders SO DB theft transfer Dream Team 4
29.Nick Marshall SO CB theft transfer Dream Team 5
30. Sanders Commings SR CB Suspended simple battery girl
31. Branden Smith SR CB Suspended Buffalo only ?
32.Alec Ogletree JR LB Should be Safety failed drug test
33.Bacarri Rambo SR Safety 2nd of 5 failed drug test, other 3 ?
Sorry list of dead-beats.
Just shameful list of Offenses keeping us BAD PRESS and the very ones guys like ecdawg is defending for TAKING OFF THE LIST OF 33 are the very worst offenders being arrested and suspended here at Georgia while they were here before they broke their trust with Mark Richt and transferred out – which is nothing but more BAD PRESS for Mark Richt on his Scholarships he gave out for 2012 none of whom are playing vs Mizzou.
TennesseeDawg
March 31st, 2012
7:36 am
The AJC, yellow journalism at it’s best.
AltamahaDawg said it best : what Mark Richt is doing AltamahaDawg is convinced, is NOT working - as he's said so many times.
March 31st, 2012
7:43 am
AltamahaDawg : “Now, If you are asking me how many more times before I am convinced that what they are doing is NOT working, I’d say a long time ago. I have said so many times.”
___________________________________
uga1984
March 31st, 2012
7:50 am
If an AJC sportswriter was camped outside Tuscaloosa, or Auburn, or Knoxville, or Gainesville, the players lists would be long & lengthy too…
This stuff happens EVERYWHERE at ALL SEC schools. Your delusional if you do not believe so.
RHall55
March 31st, 2012
7:58 am
#29 and counting of suspended, dimissed, and transferred out; (UGA’s depth will be hurt with all this activity) I think you should delete the medically disqualified (Longo, Ros) and Mayes (who will be enrolling in ‘13): I) Fault Coach MRicht for not managing his roster; undersigning / too many walk-on scholarships!! II) Fault Coach RGarner for not signing kids that wanted to come to UGA and waiting too late to offer, or not going after kids @ all who can play; lazy and being outworked by other Teams!! III) Fault Coach D Van Halenger for being slack in every position he has held @ UGA: Strength Coach and Player Development Coach!! IV) Fault Coach WFreind for not signing more players @ the position he coaches V) Fault Coach SLakotas for losing too many players @ his position he coaches (9 to date) and not recruiting more this past year; only (1) last year; NO IN-STATE DB’s??? How can that be?? And where are those nothern connections you were to bring!! C’mon Man!! It’s a shame, UGA should be better!!!
Dap01
March 31st, 2012
8:06 am
Abandon Ship? What has abandoned the ship? ????
GT
March 31st, 2012
8:08 am
Send them to prison where they belong, then have the prisons play each other. The state can collect the bounty that the colleges get, the underpaid wardens take the overpaid coaches money and you have someone in charge that knows how to handle felons. You get hypocrisy out of the higher education and guys like Richt can be television evangelist where the results do not have to equal the pay.
DawginSewer
March 31st, 2012
8:10 am
Wess jstes serwers dawgsies. Itss iss wahtes its ises. Somessones stoels msy pursess lastss nigtes ats Wel Merts.
bucket
March 31st, 2012
8:12 am
Make no mistake, this transfer hurts the depth of the team. However, who is the clown that picks the headlines for the UGA articles? Are you guys intentional with this crap or what? The headline is not supported by the article. The article stated, “Derrick and I met and he believes he will have opportunities for more playing time elsewhere,” coach Mark Richt said in the statement. “We support him and will assist in any way possible during this process.” Does that sound like a process where someone is abandoning ship? I know it helps to get hits on a blog from all the fans from other teams that have “UGA obsession syndrome”, but just a little bit of journalistic integrity would be nice in your headlines.
Dogs Smell
March 31st, 2012
8:12 am
Dap01 seriously ? The defense is being depleted. Even with the softest schedule in the SEC this team will lose games next year. Summer isn’t even here yet so more arrest are coming. Stop acting as if UGA is the pride of the college football world. They are NOT, only in Athens do people even care. UGA makes more headlines in the arrest blotter than athletic accomplishments.
americus jacket
March 31st, 2012
8:15 am
I went to college in the late 70’s and early 80’s, and I can assure you, few of the athletes on either Tech’s or UGA’s football teams could have survived a drug test AND not have some kind of alcohol charge against them the week after Spring Break. (The Fellowship of Christian Athletes was big then — and not even many of them.)
Of course, many of them would be running up and down the stadium steps. A lot of these kids were, and still are, “at risk” students at their respective Universities. They certainly need more discipline because of this, but I think it is horribly unfair for them to end up in the newspaper for every digression. Hmmm…. I wonder how many students smoked weed or drank beer underage? (The player in the late 70’s was old enough to drink — and therefore — alcohol was their drug of choice.)
If I was the coach, and I knew I had to make drug tests public, there is NO WAY I would give one after spring break — or even give one without some rumbling of notice. If a kid has a drug problem, there are other signs. If a kid is trying to “be one of the guys” on spring break, this is WAY too much penalty for the crime.
Derrick Lott and the AJ-C: a new low? | Get The Picture
March 31st, 2012
8:15 am
[...] there’s the AJ-C‘s way. Cue the prairie [...]
Dogs Smell
March 31st, 2012
8:15 am
uga1984- its not happening at any other SEC school right now? No where close. You might very well be delusional and unable to use the word you’re correctly.
bucket
March 31st, 2012
8:23 am
@ Dogs Smell – “Stop acting as if UGA is the pride of the college football world. They are NOT, only in Athens do people even care.” Well apparently you care a great deal about what happens with UGA athletics because you are here on a UGA SPORTS BLOG virtually everyday demonstrating how much you care!
Thomas Brown = Mr Negativity = 13-1 East (blogger) = Techie
March 31st, 2012
8:26 am
@How can you be #4……
Hey Thomas Brown, 13-1 and multiple other alias…….Wake up, it’s time to take your meds!!!
Atticus
March 31st, 2012
8:30 am
Its a good thing we don’t over sign…….clueless. Seriously our coaching staff is clueless when it comes to the management of the roster.
logical jacket
March 31st, 2012
8:31 am
If you know something specific, Chip, spit it out. Otherwise, all you’ve done is cast aspersions some kid’s way. I’m sure Lott will appreciate your speculation as he looks for another program.
Thomas Brown = Mr Negativity = 13-1 East (blogger) = Techie
March 31st, 2012
8:33 am
Just about every player who has (voluntarily) left UGa would have played sparingly or not at all. Derrick is a good example. Good opportunity for him to get playing time elsewhere and opens up another scholarship for UGa. Derrick and UGa are both winners on this one so don’t fret Dawg fans.
Joey
March 31st, 2012
8:41 am
“so don’t fret Dawg fans.”
***************************
That’s funny, right there. Who’s fretting?
Not me. I’m just embarrassed. The inmates are running the asylum in Athens.
I believe what Bobby Bowden believed, when he said back in 2001, “I thin Mark Richt may be too nice to be a head coach.”
jacket fan in wisconsin
March 31st, 2012
8:42 am
I’m not going to blast UGA !!! Truth is, they have eaten our lunch for quite a while. But on this topic, I feel like I do have a few good thoughts. Many high school players are TOLD they will have to work very hard for playing time. But do they really UNDERSTAND how much the competition will increase at the next level ? My other question would be whether this young man was recruited by coach Grantham ,or the previous coach. Grantham seems to be a very tough, disciplined coach who will push his players harder than they have ever been pushed to this point. Maybe it was just not a good fit. Give the YOUNG man a break and let him move on and get a new start.
bitter dope heads
March 31st, 2012
8:42 am
Enter your comments here
bitter dope heads
March 31st, 2012
8:45 am
let richt leave and take king-daddy with you—–all loosers and dopeheads need to pack and get
the F##$$% out of athens———we are still loaded with tallent——-stop crying trolls
———maybe this is a sign for richt to take his tanning show to flu—ra—duh!!
Scoreboard
March 31st, 2012
8:45 am
Those darn bownies. lol what a lying idiot
bitter dope heads
March 31st, 2012
8:49 am
—-news flash———–grantham is a big nick saban————mean and nasty
——————————–he takes no loosers—————come each day comminted or get the F—k
———————-out of athens———————–rent a trailer in bamma land for lott———-
Big Crimson 75
March 31st, 2012
8:49 am
bitter — Your Team is crumbling!!
UGA is the laughing stock of the Nation.
The Players don’t care about winning.
They have no respect for Coach Richt.
Drown your sorrows in your favorite snack — moonpies!!!
sheepdawg
March 31st, 2012
8:51 am
hahahahahahahahahah….another t-hug bites the dust
Randy Carson IMGT '83
March 31st, 2012
8:52 am
If this was an article about Tech players, more than half of the responses would be from UGA fans. Skimming the thread, only four or five comments appear to be from obvious Tech fans.
But for whatever reason, UGA fans can’t seem to stop looking in on Tech news – even though Tech is loudly proclaimed to be “irrelevant” to UGA. Your actions prove otherwise.
Thomas Brown = Mr Negativity = 13-1 East (blogger) = Techie
March 31st, 2012
8:53 am
@Joey,
I agree, I’m embarrassed too. I meant…..don’t fret over Derrick because 10 tackles in 3 years is not very impressive. Regarding the embarrassment, don’t forget that our suspended players would be playing at Florida, Auburn, Bama, UT, etc…..because their rules are lightyears more lenient. Unfortunately, the general public doesn’t know there are major differences in drug testing. I’m struggling with our policy……wish all schools had to meet the same high standards!!!
Randy Carson IMGT '83
March 31st, 2012
8:56 am
To be fair, while I was composing my previous post, a few more Tech fans posted…however, I stand by my premise that UGA fans spend waaaaay more time on the Tech boards than their alleged indifference to GT football would seem to warrant.
‘Nuff said.
Bravo! uga1984
March 31st, 2012
8:58 am
You nailed it. I concur with your thoughtful comments. However, logic will have little effect on many of these posters. For example, yesterday there was an Auburn fan (I assume from his remarks) who claimed UGA was no more stringent than other SEC schools. I happen to think that getting a suspension for failing a drug test is stricter than getting a free pass on the first test. This poster also basically equated armed robbery with drug possession.
As to the present topic, let’s use some logic. Lott is transferring for more playing time. If UGA did not have better players ahead of him, he would not be leaving. Therefore, I wish Derrick well in his transfer, but do no think it will impact the Dogs’ defense very much.
The Bear
March 31st, 2012
8:58 am
UGA what the heck is going on in Athens?
All I gotta say is Roll Tide Baby!
studentofthegame
March 31st, 2012
9:00 am
Like Bobby Bowden said yesteday. If you don’t want to get a positive drug test result damnit don’t test them. Especially coming off of spring break. Cmon people you were once in college so you know how it goes down. You can say “well they should be more responsible” yeah it sounds good but they are human. My brother attended Oklahoma a big party school. Small stuff was always swepted under the rug like underage drinking, weed, etc. What’s funny is Athens Police cheer for the dogs Saturday afternoon and lock em up Saturday night. WTF!!!!!
The Bear
March 31st, 2012
9:00 am
At this rate the offense will never come off the field, just huddle back up and play defense! Somebody needs to put this tire fire out quick!
Thomas Brown = Mr Negativity = 13-1 East (blogger) = Techie
March 31st, 2012
9:03 am
Randy, you are probably correct. Interesting how bloggers from other schools like to be obnoxious on opposing school sites. There are several GT idiots who like to post here as well as a few Bama and Gator psychos!!! I enjoy reading the GT blogs and hate it when a UGa fan gets obnoxious on your site.
Niceville Dawg
March 31st, 2012
9:05 am
Buzz 2011 @ 2:454 AM……exactly which week do we play Arkansas???
Niceville Dawg
March 31st, 2012
9:05 am
sorry,2:45
GT
March 31st, 2012
9:08 am
americus jacket your comments are appreciated but I offer this as an example of the hypocrisy of the American system. The guy who sold this weed to these kids will probably some day get something equivalent to life in prison while these privileged jackasses facilitate the drug dealer by making a market. The only time most of us get involved in this is when they take away a vegetated football player and the entertainment value of a particular school is downgraded. I say legalize the stuff or get serious about it. A coach at Georgia has evidence of a criminal activity. His player participated in that activity. Someone bought the drug someone sold the drug. I would climb that ladder if I were law enforcement until I found the seller. Rambo or Superman would have to go to jail until they told their part of the story and then up the chain I would go. Eventually I would make it almost impossible for a football player of mine or anywhere in the NCAA to get weed or drugs from a drug dealer without that drug dealer going to jail. I would do the same if it were my kid but I don’t drug test my kid, which are two grown married woman. Screw Richt and the rest of the showboats that only care about football, put the kid in jail until he tells you who sold it to him. Suspensions from a dumb football coach with a conflict of interest is almost comical. These kids have got to understand their is a lot more hell to pay in the world that from some overpaid dumb football coach that you can fool most of the time because he wants to be fooled. This should not be a amateurish NCAA problem it should be a police problem.
LOL
March 31st, 2012
9:09 am
No surprises here. Its UGAG afterall.
Move along.
joe taxpayer
March 31st, 2012
9:09 am
I am so glad we extended CMR’s contract.
dAWGS ARE FINE
March 31st, 2012
9:09 am
anybody notice that ALL of the players that have left, or were asked to leave the team were NON STARTERS
RTERS?
Chip Towers
March 31st, 2012
9:11 am
OkieDawg: It’s my job to report the news on UGA sports, including chronicling roster attrition on the football team. It’s Bill King’s job to be a fan.
Delusional fans
March 31st, 2012
9:11 am
If you have a weak drug testing program, with slaps on the wrist rather than game suspensions, of course it will appear to the gullible that your school does not have athletes doing drugs. We need an impartial drug testing party, outside of each university, to conduct random unannounced drug tests with uniform penalties for failure across the board. How do you think that would go over with SEC coaches? I think a number would be moving heaven and earth to block it.
This delusional fan thing goes way back. I recall listening to Atlanta talk radio in 1980 when an Alabama fan consistently came on the air claiming Lennie Patrick was better than Herschel. Of course, as the season progressed, that kind of died out.
Not to pick on Bama, because every school has those type of fans.