Saturday a day of redemption for as six more Bulldogs go in NFL draft
Brandon Boykin's kick-returning skills -- the is one of three 100-yard returns he had -- figure to benefit him greatly with the Philadephia Eagles. (AP photo)
Saturday represented “redemption day” in the NFL draft for a few Georgia Bulldogs.
Brandon Boykin and Orson Charles both projected as higher draft picks than when they were finally chosen in the fourth round. Charles, a tight end from Tampa who had a year of eligibility remaining, had to wait until the Cincinnati Benglas took him with the 116th pick overall early Saturday afternoon. Boykin, a defensive back and kick returner out of Fayetteville, went seven picks later to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Both were all-conference selections and highly-productive football players at Georgia, only to see their NFL stock devalued before the draft.
Charles had already been hurt by poor workouts when he was arrested for DUI in Athens on March 9. Boykin suffered a broken leg in the midst of an impressive performance in the Senior Bowl back in February. So instead of getting a call on the first or second day as originally expected, Boykin and Charles had to wait until day three to finally realize their NFL dreams.
“Based on what I expected, I was a little upset it didn’t happen sooner,” said Boykin, who was enjoying a party with family and friends at home in Fayetteville Saturday afternoon. “But after not getting my name called [Friday], I knew it’d definitely happen soon [on Saturday]. And when I finally got the call I was really excited. At this point, everybody’s on an even level and you just have to go out and prove yourself. That’s no different than I’ve always had to do.”
Charles said he definitely thought the arrest impacted his draft status. But he said he just tried to be honest with the teams that asked him about it.
“I just elaborated to them that it was a one-time mistake and that it won’t happen again,” Charles said. “That might have been the worst thing to happen in my life. [I had to] explain to my [11-year old] brother what I did and [tell him] ‘don’t follow in my footsteps’ and tell my mom I was sorry. I just put my family in a bind.”
Ben Jones was the first of six Georgia players to be selected on Saturday. Jones, a four-year-starter for the Bulldogs at center, was taken by the Houston Texans early in fourth round with the 99th pick overall.
“This is the best feeling I’ve ever had,” Jones told reporters. “I’m just excited. It’s in the South. I love being from the South. I was born down here. It’s good to stay down South. I can’t wait to get down there, enjoy Texas and be in Houston.”
Place-kicker Blair Walsh went to the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round, offensive lineman Justin Anderson of Ocilla went to the Indianapolis Colts with the first pick of the seventh round and defensive lineman DeAngelo Tyson was taken by the Ravens later in the seventh with the 236th pick overall.
Offensive lineman Cordy Glenn of Riverdale was the first Bulldog off the board when he chosen by the Buffalo Bills with the 41st pick overall during the second round on Friday.
Boykin said the Georgia players all leaned on each other as they were waiting to hear from the NFL.
“We talked the whole time,” Boykin said. “I was texting Ben and Orson throughout the day [Saturday]. I was telling them to hang in there; they were telling me to hang in there. We were just trying to be there for one another, not really knowing what was going to happen. But we all knew we were going to get our shot. Once Ben finally got picked it happened kind of quick for all of us.”
Boykin believes his situation is going to be worth the wait.
“I was the first corner they took in the draft, so they definitely want me to come in and play right away and compete for the nickel spot,” he said. “They want me to go out and be a punt returner and a kick returner, too. That’s what they told me today. So I’m just going to go up there and do what I’ve been doing.”
Boykin won the Paul Hornung Award as college football’s most versatile athlete this past season. He finished his career with 2,663 kickoff return yards – second best in SEC history – and returned four for touchdowns, including three for 100 yards each. He was also named MVP of the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1 when he scored three different ways: a tackle for a safety, a pass reception for a touchdown and a 92-yard punt return for a TD.
Boykin said he has completely recovered from his leg injury and will be ready to compete when the Eagles’ rookie mini-camp begins on May 11.
Charles was also eager to get started. He is close friends with former Georgia teammate A.J. Green, who starred as a rookie wide receiver for the Bengals last season. Charles was surprised to learn he’d have to wait until mid-May to report.
“Essentially it was in my head I would come up there today and start working with some of the guys on the team and start to get familiar with how Andy Dalton throws and hang out with A.J. and try to come in and make an impact in my rookie year,” he said.
Punter Drew Butler, defensive lineman DeAngelo Tyson and tight ends Bruce Figgins and Aron White were among the Georgia graduates still hoping to hear from the NFL.
NFL BULLDOGS
The following Georgia players were selected in the 2012 NFL draft:
- OL Cordy Glenn (6-5, 348), Riverdale — Buffalo Bills, No. 41
- C Ben Jones (6-2, 303), Centerville, Ala. — Houston Texans, 99
- TE Orson Charles (6-3, 250), Tampa, Fla. — Cincinnati Bengals, 116
- CB Brandon Boykin (5-10, 182), Fayetteville — Philadelphia Eagles, 123
- PK Blair Walsh (5-9, 187), Boca Raton, Fla. — Minnesota Vikings, 175
- OL Justin Anderson (6-4, 342), Ocilla — Indianapolis Colts, 208
- DL DeAngelo Tyson (6-2, 315), Statesboro — Baltimore Ravens 236
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160 comments Add your comment
BirmyDawg
April 29th, 2012
3:11 pm
Glad to report Bruce Figgins was signed by the Ravens.
Go Bruce!
http://www.myfoxal.com/story/17915134/local-players-sign-with-nfl-teams
Hairy Dawg
April 29th, 2012
3:26 pm
Terry that proofs of how good Dawgs is at recruiting talents. We never had less than 4 drafted and we had highest percents drafted this year at 7 of 12. Now we just have tell recruits how we getting them to NFL so good and that reason for recruits with talents to sign with Dawgs. We should use this to sign best players that play with SEC speed cause they wants to go to NFL for the money.
Monotonous languor...
April 29th, 2012
3:59 pm
Watch this clip and you will see why we still have a very long way to go…
http://secondemand.com/Theater/TabId/2117/gallery.aspx? ProductID=f606b689-87e6-418a-a440-fb86448ac11a
I must have watched that clip a hundred times. It’s downright comical, but a little pathetic, to see a real quality coach like Les Miles having to shake hands with a third-rate loser like Richt. Richt doesn’t belong on the same field with him.
THE Dixie Redcoat Band
April 29th, 2012
4:18 pm
Thanks were off to watch (or are we suppose to say “catch”) the Diamond Dawgs.
Hairy Dawg
April 29th, 2012
4:28 pm
That Mono is wounding my heart in trying to dumps on Coach Richt. He won more SEC East than any Dawgs coach and more than any other coach in East now. Plus he knows how to do it as Christian. The problem not Coach Richt it’s is Adams and the pointy heads choking the recruiting. Dawg fans need to team up to hot sit Adams and not Coach Richt.
Hairy Dawg
April 29th, 2012
4:31 pm
Plus it laughable that Les “the Weatherman” Miles Nessman is good coach. He couldn’t win big game if you spotted him two TDs. He always a choking in big games.
Wrecker
April 29th, 2012
4:46 pm
Boykin was an absolute steal at 123 by the Iggles. That pick will be haunting the Falcons for a few years.
Wrecker
April 29th, 2012
4:54 pm
I am not a Les Miles fan, but I don’t think you have much of an argument that Miles is not a good coach, particularly when compared with CMR. They have very similar winning percentages, are 2-2 against each other head-to-head (although LSU has won the last 2 games by a combined score of 62-23), and both are good Christian men. However, Les does have that little advantage of having gone to 2 BCS NCG, winning one.
Chris
April 29th, 2012
5:54 pm
Nice to see, yet again, Bulldogs entering the draft early, only to get drafted late. UGA football has been killed by the loss of talented starters yearning to become sixth-round NFL picks. The sad thing is that most of them would have increased their lifetime earnings by staying in college another year, but the lesson of past early entry busts seems to be lost on them. Isn’t someone communicating these sad stories to future generations, or is UGA spending all its resources testing players for marijuana?
Chris
April 29th, 2012
5:59 pm
If I hear another comment about Richt being a Christian, I will vomit. He’s a football coach. Who cares if he’s a Christian, Muslim, Hindu, or atheist? What matters is whether he wins. Character matters, too, but character is independent of religion.
How many NCs did Jesus win?
TampaGator
April 29th, 2012
6:31 pm
Terry……
According to your logic, very few high school players should be considering going to Auburn, as Auburn had only one player drafted into the NFL this year. But plenty are. And Florida should not be getting very many commits because they only had 2 players drafted….but they have 15 already. Recruits want to play in the NFL…..but most of them are smart enough to know that only a select few ever get that opporutnity. That is why “the amount of players a team puts into the NFL” has so little consequence when a kid picks a school to go play college football…..and why school tradition, school location, being in the SEC, relationship with coaches, family background, and academic opportunity….have so much more importance with recruits.
That said…..Richt does a good job of preparing his most talented players for the NFL. No doubt. But, at the same time, that can be seen and used as a negative against Richt when it comes to his lack of winning titles with those players……as a head coach. Simply put……Richt should have more SEC titles under his belt as the head coach of Georgia…and at least one national title during his tenure. Richt has had too much “college football” talent come into Athens not to have done so….of which many never played a down in or were drafted into the NFL.
SE GA Fan
April 29th, 2012
6:55 pm
Why don’t we have sports writers like this? I found this informative, not defamatory, article while surfing the web. Do you think this writer would come to the AJC? They sure could use him! Address is missourisportsmag.com. Read it for excellent unbiased reporting.
SE GA Fan
April 29th, 2012
7:00 pm
@Chris,
Your priorities are way out of line. I think what Jesus won was much more prestigious than a “NC”, as you put it. Hope your mom, boss, or wife doesn’t read that comment you made. Guess your true soul is showing through.
ZinoDawg
April 29th, 2012
7:14 pm
So the Vikings took Blair Walsh? Really?
They must have missed the Outback Bowl!
guillotine
April 29th, 2012
7:36 pm
He couldn’t win big game if you spotted him two TDs. He always a choking in big games.
That must be Richt you are thinking of. Miles is 5-2 in Bowl games. Sure, he lost the title game to Bama. He also won more big games last year than Richt has won since 2007.(Oregon on a neutral field; game UGA didn’t want..thought they could beat Boise..we know how that turned out, beat West Virginia on the road..remember them from 05 Sugar Bowl..another collossal Richt failure; beat undefeated Bama in T-Town) He beat #3 Oklahoma and #4 Oklahoma in back to back seasons at OK State (you remember them,they spanked that bottom a couple of years ago)He’s a better coach than what you have in Athens, thats for sure.
dawgster7
April 29th, 2012
7:56 pm
Hey Chip i heard at least 2 more commitments this weekend for the Dawgs! Any word?
UGAY
April 29th, 2012
8:54 pm
Yay… Six more criminals to help Athens look like the ghetto trash of Georgia. Caleb King has contributed to the class act they have in Athens. Go Dawgs! Sic them court appearances.
mars
April 29th, 2012
9:09 pm
Wish we were reading about where Richt was going.
Ron hiit
April 29th, 2012
9:12 pm
I like your fantastic web site, I was searching for this all over.
best regards,
Ron
mars
April 29th, 2012
9:14 pm
Hairy Dawg Richt has won more SEC East crowns than any other UGA coach. True. Now, when was the SEC split again? Wasn’t Richt coach at the time? Not that there’s anything wromg with that…..
kerryb
April 29th, 2012
10:03 pm
GTBob
April 28th, 2012
5:20 pm
Im surprised Boykin went as high as he did.
_________________________________________________________________
No, the surprise was Stephen Hill going in the second round. That really surprise me. How can a WR who played in an option offense go in the second round?
kerryb
April 29th, 2012
10:08 pm
What’s funny about this draft is that Georgia State had as many players as Tech drafted.
Hairy Dawg
April 29th, 2012
10:19 pm
I checking the numbers. First champ game was 1992 and for decade no Dawg coaches got us there till Coach Richt. Then he won 4 divsion and 2 SECs. No body else done that. Less Brains Miles won 3 west and 2 SEC. Crooked Snakey Sabans win 2 West and 1 SEC. Cheese Dips Awful Burn team won 1 West and 1 SEC. Visor Boy choking chickens won 1 East. Everybodies else done squat. Not Orange Pumkins Dooley Boy. Not Judas Muschump. Nothing. And Coach Richt IS MORE Christian and that helps recruiting.
guillotine
April 29th, 2012
10:27 pm
hey Hairy Dawg…your stupid is showing…
HOUDAWG
April 29th, 2012
10:36 pm
So , instead of saying 7 Dawgs went in total , they say 6 went on Saturday ……..
Just the typical downplay of AJC ……. & no mention of the UGA FA signings ……
And for you GT fans ….. time to go back to your parents basement ……..
dawg pulse
April 29th, 2012
11:05 pm
Great draft for Dawgs as usual!!! Next year every team will draft a Dawg because of our beast lineup!
Top Row Dawg
April 30th, 2012
12:18 am
Wow……….. 1drafted for 7 and no free agents vs. 7 drafted for 10 with an 8th free agent (Butler).
So…………. you have a 7% chance to make the NFL at Tech or an 80% chance to make the NFL at Georgia?
Top Row Dawg
April 30th, 2012
12:23 am
LoL 10% vs. 80%. That’s my UGA education.
Top Row Dawg
April 30th, 2012
12:35 am
Dang it 14.28 % vs. 80% ……Tech is twice as good as originally thought.
Year of the DAWG
April 30th, 2012
5:54 am
Hate it for Caleb. Glad to know that Richt done everything he could to impact his life ! Go Dawgs
guillotine
April 30th, 2012
7:48 am
@Top Row Dawg
That’s my UGA education
Your posts left little doubt where you were educated.
Top Row Dog
April 30th, 2012
8:12 am
Off with my head Gilligan.
Buckeye
April 30th, 2012
8:27 am
Blair Walsh is a head case. No way he will withstand the pressure of training camp. He will go 2-5 in the first two pre-season games and never kick again in the NFL.
Go Dawgs
April 30th, 2012
8:43 am
Once again…plenty of talent that goes to the NFL…..but yet we have NOTHING to show for it…….SEC weak East Champs doesnt get it……
Top Row Dog
April 30th, 2012
8:49 am
Might be right Bugeye, but fact remains he is leading scorer ever in the SEC with 412 points scored, which ranked second in NCAA history.
And he set NCAA record with at least one FG in 45 games.
If he gets cut, he can always go kick for the Bengals. Only has to beat crappy Mike Nugent, the best kicker ever at Ohio State with only 356 points?
Captain Allen Waters
April 30th, 2012
8:59 am
Fair n Balanced……AMEN UGA fan in Delhi, India.
DawginLex
April 30th, 2012
9:13 am
Someone want to compare NFL productivity of UGA players drafted under Richt versus LSU/Bama players drafted under Saban?
Name me 1 LSU/Bama player with a long productive career in the NFL who played under Saban?
There may be some but the list pales in comparison to Richt’s list.
DawginLex
April 30th, 2012
9:17 am
Asher Allen Minnesota Vikings Cornerback
Geno Atkins Cincinnati Bengals Defensive Tackle
Champ Bailey Denver Broncos Cornerback
Clint Boling Cincinnati Bengals Offensive Guard
Shaun Chapas Dallas Cowboys Fullback
Chris Clemons Seattle Seahawks Defensive End
Rennie Curran Tampa Bay Buccaneers Linebacker
Thomas Davis Carolina Panthers Linebacker
Akeem Dent Atlanta Falcons Linebacker
Demarcus Dobbs San Francisco 49ers Defensive Tackle
Kris Durham Seattle Seahawks Wide Receiver
Dannell Ellerbe Baltimore Ravens Linebacker
Darryl Gamble San Diego Chargers Linebacker
Robert Geathers Cincinnati Bengals Defensive End
Cordy Glenn Buffalo Bills Offensive Guard
Kedric Golston Washington Redskins Defensive End
A.J. Green Cincinnati Bengals Wide Receiver
Justin Houston Kansas City Chiefs Linebacker
Corvey Irvin Jacksonville Jaguars Defensive Tackle
Tim Jennings Chicago Bears Cornerback
Charles Johnson Carolina Panthers Defensive End
Reshad Jones Miami Dolphins Safety
John Kasay New Orleans Saints Place kicker
Caleb King Minnesota Vikings Running Back
Kregg Lumpkin Seattle Seahawks Running Back
Mohamed Massaquoi Cleveland Browns Wide Receiver
Randy McMichael San Diego Chargers Tight End
Prince Miller Buffalo Bills Cornerback
Knowshon Moreno Denver Broncos Running Back
Leonard Pope Pittsburgh Steelers Tight End
Dennis Roland Cincinnati Bengals Offensive Tackle
Richard Seymour Oakland Raiders Defensive Tackle
Matthew Stafford Detroit Lions Quarterback
Kiante Tripp Cleveland Browns Defensive Tackle
D.J. Ware New York Giants Running Back
Benjamin Watson Cleveland Browns Tight End
Kade Weston Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive Tackle
Will Witherspoon Tennessee Titans Linebacker
Jarius Wynn Green Bay Packers Defensive End
*******************************************
Ingram and Julio jones come to mind but not very long in the league.
UGA has guys in the league for a long time and guys like Geno Atkins going to the Pro Bowl.
not flaming, just asking???
kingdaddy
April 30th, 2012
9:36 am
We are well represented in pro ball, no matter how you spin it. Good job Lex…
kingdaddy
April 30th, 2012
9:48 am
DawginLex
Out of all of those players, only one is a Dirty-Bird. What gives???
Ted Brogan
April 30th, 2012
9:50 am
Chip, UGA might not be able to get it done in college football but they went out there and TOTALLY REDEEMED themselves with the NFL draft.
Top Row Dog
April 30th, 2012
10:02 am
Not getting it done in college ball. Does that include New Years day Bowl / SEC East Champions / 10 win season / Ranked in all final polls / evry eligible player getting drafted or signed as free agent.
Is winning the national Championship the only Criteria for ” getting it done”?
guillotine
April 30th, 2012
10:33 am
thats quite a list of losers. Roster fillers,taxi squad, camp bodies for the most part.
Top Row Dog
April 30th, 2012
10:51 am
None the less Gilligan, that’s 39 players, plus the 7 or 9 this year and the 13 next year. Soon UGA will have enough to field it’s own 53 man NFL team.
guillotine
April 30th, 2012
10:58 am
You can probably take King off of that list. Top Row, that team would just continue its tradition of losing big games. The state of Georgia already has an NFL team filling that role. They are called the Falcons.
DawginLex
April 30th, 2012
11:17 am
guillotine
All Pro’s and players in the NFL multiple years are losers and taxi squad fillers?
Why don’t we discuss the great “can’t miss” Mt cody from Bama?
ZERO sacks in 2011
Same # as Matthew Stafford LOL LOL
gdawginkalamazoo
April 30th, 2012
11:23 am
It doesn’t matter when you are drafted, it is what you do after you are drafted that matters. Tom Brady (6th round, MVP, Super Bowls), Ryan Leaf (2nd pick, now starring on the The Fugitive). Many other examples out there and it doesn’t matter where you go to college. Your God given ability to do the job determines your success or failure in the NFL whether you are a 1st rounder, 7th rounder or non-drafted free agent.
Proud of the Dawgs drafted this year good luck!
docdawg
April 30th, 2012
11:30 am
Butler a lock, will be a longstanding help to Pitt, bad luck to Boykin and a lesson learned by Charles and everyone else who pays attention there, hopefully Figgins and White will find teams, they`re top role players, and versatile, soft my A..
UGA Insider
April 30th, 2012
11:46 am
Bobo and Hines Ward are out here at the pro-am playing golf together!!!!!!! The installation of the Pittsburg Steelers offense never stops I guess.
DawginLex
April 30th, 2012
12:27 pm
Insider
Two other folks who are at practice all the time say we will run a lot of 4 wide sets this year because of questions with the OL????