Field Street Forum

ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia junior linebacker Nakobe Dean has been named one of 12 semifinalists for the 2021 Wuerffel Trophy, which is known as “college football’s premier award for community service.”

Dean, a native of Horn Lake, Miss., is one of three semifinalists from the Southeastern Conference.  Three finalists will be announced on Nov. 23 and the winner is scheduled to be announced on Dec. 9 during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN.

Former Bulldog All-American and current Indianapolis Colt Rodrigo Blankenship was a semifinalist for the honor in 2019 while Jeb Blazevich was a 2016 Wuerffel Trophy semifinalist.  Former Georgia receiver and current Houston Texan Chris Conley (2014), Aaron Murray (2012) and Drew Butler (2011) were all finalists for the award.

Dean, who has a 3.53 in his Mechanical Engineering major, has been named to the 2021 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team for his dedication to the community.  Among other volunteer activities, Dean has helped with “Dawgs for Pups,” been a visitor at Camp Sunshine, given his time to Extra Special People (ESP) during the “Bulldogs and Buddies” practice visitation and participated in the Read Across America at local schools.

On the field, Dean is the second-leading tackler for the Bulldogs this season with 37 stops, including five tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, and has two interceptions, including one pick he took back 50 yards for a touchdown versus Florida.  He has already been named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award and the Bednarik Award.

The No. 1 Bulldogs (8-0, 6-0 SEC) play host to Missouri (4-4, 1-3) on Saturday.  ESPN will televise the matchup at noon.

By John Frierson
Staff Writer

 

Kelee Ringo has one of the best pictures a Georgia football player can have.

 

The redshirt freshman defensive back is on the field with his mom, Tralee Hale, after the Bulldogs’ win over Kentucky, both of them wearing big smiles. More significantly, Hale is dressed head-to-toe in pink, including her hair, and is wearing pink Spike Squad shoulder pads.

 

Diagnosed with breast cancer a couple of years ago, Hale spent the Kentucky game cheering with the Spike Squad and the UGA Paint Line, which had “TRALEE STRONG” spelled out on their backs, the letters in black and the skin painted pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

 

Ringo, from Tacoma, Wash., though he went to high school in Scottsdale, Ariz., has started the past five games and his five pass breakups are tied for the team lead. During a Quick Chat after practice Tuesday, he talked about seeing his mom with the Spike Squad, his days as an elite junior sprinter (10.43 seconds in the 100 meters), Halloween, and much more.

 

Here’s some of what he had to say:

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