Seven walk-ons awarded scholarships; two of them may start
ATHENS – Georgia coach Mark Richt on Sunday awarded scholarships to seven walk-on players.
Two of them — tailback Brandon Harton and defensive back Blake Sailors — are former walk-ons who were placed on scholarship last year and were renewed for the coming year. The other five are all getting aid at UGA for the first time, including fullback Merritt Hall and safety Connor Norman, who figure to start or play significant roles early in the season. The other recipients are cornerback Luis Capella, receiver Rhett McGowan and linebacker Kosta Vavlas.
Georgia, of course, is infamously low on its scholarship numbers for the coming. It had 72 before Sunday’s actions by Richt. As it is, the Bulldogs remain six below the NCAA maximum allotment of 85.
Here’s a look at the seven recipients:
DB Luis Capella, junior, Augusta: Capella (5-10, 176) is third-string cornerback and special teams player. He graduated from Richmond Academy and has made the AD’s honor roll and the SEC academic honor the past two seasons.
FB Merritt Hall, redshirt freshman, Alpharetta: Hall (5-11, 238) earned the No. 1 spot on the depth chart during spring practice and was named “outstanding walk-on.” He remains Georgia’s starting fullback heading into the second week of preseason camp.
TB Brandon Harton, junior, Reidsville: Harton (5-6, 174) earned a scholarship last season and played in five games. He led the Bulldogs in rushing against Kentucky with 101 yards on 23 carries.
SE Rhett McGowan, junior, Calhoun: An all-state player and team captain at Calhoun High, McGowan (6-0, 190) has played in nine games the last two seasons. He finished with 7 catches for 84 yards last year and caught a touchdown pass against New Mexico State.
DB Connor Norman, redshirt sophomore, Duluth: Norman (5-10, 208), who attended Peachtree Ridge High, played in all 14 games for the Bulldogs last season, mainly on special teams, and recorded 13 tackles. He could start at free safety if Bacarri Rambo is sidelined as expected. Norman received a most improved award in 2011 and outstanding walk-on on defense this spring.
DB Blake Sailors, junior, Athens: Sailors (5-11, 186) is a cornerback and special teams stalwart who has played in every Georgia game the past two seasons. A 2009 graduate of Oconee High, this is the second year in a row Sailors earned a scholarship
LB Kosta Vavlas, redshirt sophomore, Tarpon Springs, Fla.: Vavlas (6-0, 219) is an inside linebacker who is currently listed as third-team “Mo” behind Alec Ogletree and Christian Robinson. He played in all 14 games last season, finished with 19 tackles and received a most valuable special teams award.
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220 comments Add your comment
tammy jacobs
August 13th, 2012
7:29 am
HEY VINCE… The only people chasing the Honey badger now are the POLICE!!!
Lowcountry Bulldawg
August 13th, 2012
7:32 am
Vance Duly
August 13th, 2012
12:23 am
Honkies who can run a 4.28
Personnally I find the use of honky rather offensive. If this where a AA player what term would you have used? It does not make it ok to use racially derogative terms just b/c the young man is white.
RNB
August 13th, 2012
7:40 am
Wake up people. The football program is in sad shape. We have less scholarship players than USC, and they are on probation.
vince
August 13th, 2012
7:49 am
Saw enough of these guys chasing Florida kick returner last year. What a joke.
vince
August 13th, 2012
7:54 am
Hey Tammy, whats that got to go with anything
RHall55
August 13th, 2012
8:00 am
Good job guys….but this does not need to be an on-going process where every year 7-8 schollies are given to walk-ons; the next to receive will be Preston Mobley!! The problem here is that UGA will bypass kids that could come here on scholarships….such a Antonio Riles, long time UGA fan but UGA quit calling, or a Marcus Caffey, now a starting corner for KY, who wanted to come to UGA, but was never offfered…..the problem is CRG who rarely gets out of Athens to see these kids….the kool aid drinkers look only at a rating not at the kids we dropped / missed on / or under recruited….CRG tired of you being out recruited by Lorenzo Ward, Trooper Taylor, and Kirby Smart!!! C’MON MAN GET TO WORK!!! BTW: nobody…in your message…it is Derrick Henry, not Derrick Yancey!!!
Just Saying
August 13th, 2012
8:01 am
Speaking of “jokes”…….how’s it going VInce?!?!
vince
August 13th, 2012
8:03 am
Just, get a clue. Guess you liked sorry special teams play last year. Be prepared for the same this year
Just Saying
August 13th, 2012
8:05 am
Great way to honor and reward these guys and in no way does this affect recruiting quotas since these are 1 year scholarships.
Larry
August 13th, 2012
8:19 am
Let’s get one thing straight. Richt is not giving these guys a scholarship because he’s a nice guy or because he needs them to play football. Richt is not a nice guy, and most of the walk-ons will be riding the bench most of the time.
No, they’re getting scholarships because the players who were recruited by Richt have such poor grades that only with the walk-ons can the team’s average grades be even remotely close to acceptable.
It’s pathetic and shameful that Richt’s recruits are so brainless that he has to scour the campus to find enough walk-ons to pull the team’s average grades up. The old fart Vince Dooley never had to rely on walk-ons, since in those days, they parked players in the joke of remedial studies for four years, then fixed their grades so it looked like he had a bunch of Rhodes Scholars, when in fact, very few of the players ever graduated or even passed a legitimate college-level course.
Today, with more scrutiny on the program, Mark Richt has to jump through a few more hoops to deceive the public that his players are bonafide students. Thus, the warm welcome that intelligent walk-ons get. It’s also worth noting that walk-ons seldom have the off-field issues that Richt’s recruits are notorious for.
When and if these guys actually get on the field, be sure to give them a rousing reception. They’re the guys who put the “student” in student-athlete, and they’re about the only players on Richt’s team who can read and write at the college level. Most of his recruited players would be hard-pressed to recite their ABCs, even during those rare times when they’re not drunk or stoned.
Just remember that UGA is the world’s #1 Party School and the proud winner of the Fulmer Cup. So keep your expectations low and your hopes high, and Richt’s walk-ons may just save the day in a close game or two.
Dawg-Gawn
August 13th, 2012
8:23 am
Killing two birds with one stone?
Surely, a coaches heavy incentive laden contract that might have a clause in it, which calls for a certain amount of money be paid, if the team’s GPA reaches a certain level…… nah couldn’t be, not coach Richt?
If so, easy money……. Cha-Ching!
Believe in the “G”
RedandBlackDAWG
August 13th, 2012
8:33 am
All of these young men are deserving of a scholarship. They contribute to the team even if they don’t start, because they help to get the first team prepared. It takes a lot of determination and guts, to be a walk on at a major university, and know you are usually going to be fodder, with a few exceptions and a scout team member. They contribute much to the team.
As far as the GT guys on here spouting off about these guys. Most likely, they would be playing a full load if they had gone to GT.
DawginLex
August 13th, 2012
8:35 am
rhall
Merritt Hall is killing people and is still the #1 fullback. Hardly a walkon resume
Marcus Caffey just flunked out at UK BTW
Diehard Dawg
August 13th, 2012
8:36 am
Go white boys…
DawginLex
August 13th, 2012
8:37 am
Larry
You know what is shameless and ridiculous?
That a walking talking breathing douchebagusmaximus like you is allowed to comment on a UGA blog
Just shutup and go blow up your blow up doll date for tonight
RedandBlackDAWG
August 13th, 2012
8:37 am
Larry
August 13th, 2012
8:19 am
I am going to assume you are a techie, since it is about time for your ilk to brag about how hard it is academically to make the grade at your school, and how poor UGA standards are. That is good for about the first two or three losses and then, once again, it gets old.
North Georgia Dawg
August 13th, 2012
8:38 am
I love to laugh at some of the moron trolls on here. I bet these guys couldn’t get a date with a normal woman if they tried. They would look her up on the Internet instead. Our program has not “fallen”, we did fairly well last season, but lost some close games because of special teams and turnovers late in games. We could have easily beaten South Carolina and Michigan State if not for missed field goals and unnecessary field goals. I sure would have rather had our season last year than freaking Auburn.
North Georgia Dawg
August 13th, 2012
8:42 am
The reason Georgia gave these guys scholarships is that they worked really hard and most of them contributed in some way on special teams. Urban Meyer awarded several scholarships to walk-ons as well if you remember. A lot of coaches do. Sailors, Norman and Hall are all guys who should certainly contribute in some way.
I dropped my fried twinkie
August 13th, 2012
8:51 am
Does this mean they get to keep the scholly until they graduate or just for this year?
Doesn’t Richt do 4 year scholly?
Will this hurt recruiting more good players for “13″ class?
Pete
August 13th, 2012
8:53 am
Some of these guys should be getting scholarships. Congrats to them and it keeps the other walk-ons working hard. But, if this takes away from the # of recruits the team can bring on board in January, it is too many. The team needs as many recruits as possible to enrol early and go thru spring practice.
I dropped my fried twinkie
August 13th, 2012
8:54 am
DiLex you may not like what LARRY said but it has a lot of truth to it for helping the grades and graduation rate.
Abe Lincoln
August 13th, 2012
8:55 am
Congrats to these guys. My only question is why didn’t we use all the other scholarships that we have for fall semester. Go Dawgs ! Reward as many as possible.
RxDawg
August 13th, 2012
9:03 am
So that’s where all the white boys play!
Hehe, I kid I kid. Grats to these young men. I guess that’s the good side of not having all our scholarships filled out. Yes I’d rather them be filled with purebred Div 1-a studs. But I don’t think having 70 scholarship players vs 85 scholarship players is going to have the detriment to the team that some out there feel. There is probably a psycological component that having walk ons brings. The biggest is work ethic. Go Dawgs baby!
crossdawg
August 13th, 2012
9:03 am
Good lookin bunch a guys. G A T A
NC_Dawg
August 13th, 2012
9:04 am
Larry, you are a moron.
LHarding Dawg
August 13th, 2012
9:05 am
I’ve always said to keep a certain number of scholarships for walk on’s. Recruit and get the special high school players available, but give scholarships to walk on’s. You might not be sure what that special high school player can do. You damn sure know what a walk can do because he’s been in camp for a year or two.
RxDawg
August 13th, 2012
9:08 am
Nahila
August 13th, 2012
6:42 am
About as well said as it can be.
RxDawg
August 13th, 2012
9:12 am
“Marcus Caffey just flunked out at UK BTW”
Refresh my memory Lex. Who was he again? The name is right there but I can’t place it.
steverino
August 13th, 2012
9:15 am
As Burdell has already pointed out, Goldenrod is and idgit, (and most likely NOT a GT fan at all, after having said that CPJ would never award a scholly to a walk-on). Probably not 7 at one time, mind you…but several current Jackets on ’ships started out by walking on. There’s always a lot of debate about whether it should be done, or saved for a HS hot shot. I’m no Dwag fan, and 7 IS a lot at one time…but congrats to these players. It’s THEIR team.
Old Dawg
August 13th, 2012
9:16 am
Great news for these guys and their families. They are good examples for working hard and earning your rewards!
LHarding Dawg
August 13th, 2012
9:17 am
Larry could really do with some medical help!
DawginLex
August 13th, 2012
9:23 am
The schollies are for one year and do not affect anything regarding the 2013 class
Marcus Caffey and Josh clemons were 2 runningbacks from Atlanta that a lot of us wanted Richt to recruit along with Crowell. Caffey was moved to DB and was going to start at Kentucky but he is academically ineligible. Clemons is hurt but when he returns, he will most likely start at RB for UK.
We could have used them both last year
I-DOG
August 13th, 2012
9:23 am
Frank Lane:
I also feel comfortable with Norman playing safety. Obviously, Rambo is the more elite athlete (bigger, stronger, faster), I like the idea of having one safety who isn’t as athletic, but always seems to be in the right spot at the right time and makes the sure tackle even if it isn’t a spectacular hit.
Can’t recall the name of the young man we had a few years ago who was about 5 11 and was a former walk on who was always in the right spot and played in front of better athletes. He got burned real bad in the Auburn game on a 3rd and very long when he was way out of position, but it was revealed later that he had a concussion and shouldn’t have been in the game at that point.
Sometimes, just having a safety play the assignment and do the basic job is better than having one that makes the big hit.
BreakingNews
August 13th, 2012
9:23 am
Sailors can flat out fly! Watched him when he played at Oconee….he was also a state champion in track in the 300 hurdles
Paddy
August 13th, 2012
9:24 am
Goldenrod’ no awarded schollies at GT to walk-ons???? You are kidding, right? Woody and Bo used to award schollies every year to the equipment managers. You need a little work on football lore! It makes enjoying the sport that more interesting.
JB
August 13th, 2012
9:31 am
I’m very very happy for these young men. Bigger hearts and better attitudes and work ethic of a lot of 5 stars types. I’m not sure though this process helps us win a NC. Let’s go win 14 games. Go Dawgs.
Dawg Whisperer
August 13th, 2012
9:34 am
Larry, if you spent less time hating on UGA/coach Richt and more time comprehending the article content, you would see that most of them actually played in multiple games last year. They “earned” their scholarships. In business the idea of rewarding someone’s significant contributions is an everyday event but when people hate, common sense just goes straight out the window.
Beast from the East
August 13th, 2012
9:35 am
Congrats to all these young men and their families. That said, it speaks to a larger problem of recruiting and attrition to having that many scholarships available. Better hope the injuries are few and far between this season or it could turn into a rough year.
norcrossdawg
August 13th, 2012
9:36 am
CONGRATULATIONS WALK-ONS!! FROM A FELLOW WALK-ON WHOM EARNED A SCHOLARSHIP BACK IN 1981! I had to beat out many scholarship athletes and also gain a starting position before Coach Dooley awarded mine, seems scholarships are alot easier to obtain these days (7 scholarships—REALLY). GO DAWGS
ARdawg
August 13th, 2012
9:38 am
Dropped Twinkie, some schollys are auto renewed and some are not. But, in essence they are all “awarded” each year
DIT
August 13th, 2012
9:39 am
@Red Stick
Your post on the 1st page was pure class. Thanks. Too bad some others can’t take your que and just see what’s going for what it is. I don’t care what team your on. It’s hard to get a scholly as a walk-on. Proud of these Dawgs!
I dropped my fried twinkie
August 13th, 2012
9:39 am
Personal: LUIS CAPELLA; Born: Dec. 5, 1989; Major: Economics.
2011: One of team’s Outstanding Scout Team Award recipients.
*Named to SEC Academic Honor Roll and Athletic Director’s Honor Roll for fall semester.
2010: Member of the scout team.
*Earned Athletic Director’s Honor Roll for spring semester.
High School: Richmond Academy.
Personal: JAMES MERRITT HALL; Born: July 9, 1992; Major: Agricultural & Applied Economics.
2011: Redshirted and earned Athletic Director’s Honor Roll distinction for fall semester.
High School: Wesleyan
Personal: BRANDON HARTON; Born: November 15, 1990; Major: Psychology
Personal: RHETT DANIEL MCGOWAN; Born: Feb. 1, 1990; Major: Sport Management.
Earned Athletic Director’s Honor Roll distinction for fall semester.
2009: Named to Athletic Director’s Honor Roll and Dean’s List for summer and fall semesters.
CONNOR REID NORMAN; Born: Aug. 12, 1992; Major: Exercise & Sport Science.
*Named to SEC Academic Honor Roll and Athletic Director’s Honor Roll for fall semester.
2010: Redshirted and named to Athletic Director’s Honor Roll for summer semester.
Peachtree Ridge Honor graduate and two-time academic letter award winner.
BLAKE MICHAEL SAILORS; Born: May 23, 1991; Major: Consumer Economics.
2010: Named to SEC Academic Honor Roll.
Earned Athletic Director’s Honor Roll distinction for spring semester.
2009: Named to fall 2009 Athletic Director’s Honor Roll.
Member of Beta Club and on the Honor Roll at Oconee.
DIMITRIOS KOSTA VAVLAS; Born: July 23, 1992; Major: Biological Science.
Named to SEC Academic Honor Roll and Athletic Director’s Honor Roll for fall semester.
High School: Member of National Honor Society and Greek National Honor Society and maintained above a 4.0 GPA throughout high school.
You may not like what LARRY said but look at these players…….ALL making the UGA grade point average and graduation rate look a lot better.
Nice of RICHT to award Good STUDENT athletes a Scholly because that is what College football should be about, but it is making the SCHOLARSHIP APR and GPA really jump.
DawginLex
August 13th, 2012
9:40 am
for those complaining about the lack of being at 85:
Do any of you know how many we can take to a road game??
70
McDawg
August 13th, 2012
9:41 am
relax Larry-these guys earned it
VINCE
August 13th, 2012
9:43 am
Hope these guys aren’t playing against Georgia Southern. They will beat us.
DawginLex
August 13th, 2012
9:44 am
Red Stick is proof that you can be a fan of another team and comment on an opponent’s blog and do it in a classy way
sammiamm
August 13th, 2012
9:45 am
I am ready for some football.
Talk is cheap, after all.
Go Dawgs–all the way.
I dropped my fried twinkie
August 13th, 2012
9:46 am
Burdell
August 13th, 2012
7:24 am
Goldenrod you are an idiot troll. Of course CPJ offers scholarships to walk ons…it happens every year. Former C Sean Beford was originally a walk-on. GO JACKETS!
====================================================
Bedford became the STARTING CENTER……The aforementioned UGa players have not EARNED Starting jobs at positions that PLAY more than maybe 10 plays a game. BIG Difference.
Spanky
August 13th, 2012
9:50 am
I think Connor Norman plays like one of my all-time favorite dawgs,..Terry Hoage. Nice to see his hard work get rewarded with playing time and a scholly…as well as Merritt, Sailors, and the other guys!! Can’t wait to see the sea of red at Sanford!! Go Dawgs!!
VINCE
August 13th, 2012
9:53 am
Spanky, Terry Hoage was an all-american who played in NFL. What a dumb comment.