Category: UGA Football

Run game coordinator and running backs coach Dell McGee discussed preparations for the upcoming fall 2020 season Wednesday afternoon.

On what he has learned about Coach Smart that he didn’t already know during the pandemic and how they all adjusted to a different type of offseason…
“I wouldn’t say [I have] learned anything new. I would say that we all had to deal with a lot of mental gymnastics with COVID[-19], and just a structure in your normal, everyday life of going through a spring ball season, assessing your players, concluding spring. Then you go to summer workouts and then to fall camp. The biggest thing was just having to adjust our normal practice routine and all of those facets.”

On whether he’s ever had such an overhaul at the running back (RB) position as this season…
“First off, I think we have a great room. All of our guys are very, very talented. They all bring certain qualities to the game of football. Losing D’Andre Swift was a big loss, but we definitely have five guys that are capable and will do a great job this year.”

On how important a rotation at the RB position is…
“It is definitely a good thing. It is a philosophy of ours—we feel like the more guys that we can play keep our running backs fresh. They can be more explosive, have less mental breakdowns. They are able to assess the game, stay involved in the game and execute at a high level when their number is called. It definitely benefits us having a multitude of guys and like I say, ‘Reliability and accountability is a big factor.’ I feel very confident with this group.”

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By John Frierson
Staff Writer

Travon Walker knows a lot about winning. The Georgia sophomore defensive lineman from Thomaston, Ga., was a part of Upson-Lee High School basketball teams that won 71 straight games and back to back state championships.

As a freshman last season, the 6-foot-5 and 290-pound Walker played in 12 games and had 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss, and was named to the Freshman All-SEC team. In the Sugar Bowl, he had three tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery.

During a Quick Chat after practice Monday, Walker talked about winning, playing the trombone, life as a sophomore, mowing the lawn with his dad and much more. Here’s some of what he had to say:

Frierson: What is it like going through practice now as a sophomore compared to last season when everything was new?

Walker: I’d say mentally it’s gotten a lot better, the college game has gotten a lot slower for me because I know the defensive scheme and I’m more knowledgeable about what’s going on with our whole defense, instead of just knowing my job.

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Georgia defensive players Tyson Campbell and Travon Walker comment on season preparations following Monday’s practice.

#3 Tyson Campbell | Junior | DB
On how he would describe his development throughout his first two years in the program/where he sees himself now as a player…
“I think I’ve matured so much as a player from coming here being young, not really knowing the defense. As the coaches developed us on defense, especially through experience through the game, I’ve been able to mentally — as far as getting my IQ better in football — and also becoming stronger faster, the whole nine yards of becoming a better athlete.”

On his turf toe injury and how he fought through it last season/how he is now…
“Last year was tough, but Mr. Ron [Courson] and his whole training staff have helped me and made sure that, if I was going to be on the field, I was 100 percent ready, and I thank them for that. Now, I’m pain-free and excited for the season coming up.”

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Head coach Kirby Smart comments on the Bulldogs’ scrimmage Saturday afternoon.

Opening Statement…
“Just finished up from the scrimmage a little bit earlier than last Saturday. But, I just wanted to open with a plug for this new ‘Dawgs for Pups’ that our players came up with. I want to give a lot of credit to Cortez Hankton and Josh Brooks for spearheading a lot of it. As we have worked hard with our players, and we’ve been listing to our players—which I spoke to last week. They wanted to do some things in the community. They helped with a food drive, but this ‘Dawgs for Pups’ has really taken off. A lot of the local Athens community, kids in the school system, are struggling to get WiFi. They don’t have it, so this is kind of a hotspot project. Ben Watson, I want to thank him and Todd Gurley. They’ve jumped in. Todd’s foundation, the M.A.D.E. Foundation has jumped right in. Ben Watson pledged $5,000. The Kirby Smart Family Foundation, my family’s foundation, pledged $10,000. There’s going to be a lot of kids in Athens, Ga., getting WiFi, and that’s a direct result of our players in an initiative that they grabbed—about five or six players grabbed it, and Cortez grabbed it. They’ve done a lot. So, it would help us if you guys keep plugging that, and sending that out there to our fan base so we can support those guys.

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ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia football head coach Kirby Smart has been included on the 2020 Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year preseason watch list, according to the award’s foundation and the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl.

Smart, who is starting his fifth year as the Bulldogs’ head coach, is one of 13 of the nation’s top college football coaches named to the list who are scheduled to play during the fall season.  Nine coaches from conferences who are scheduled to play in the spring were also recognized.  However, this year’s award will be given in December therefore not making those coaches eligible.

The Dodd Trophy celebrates the head coach of a team who enjoys success on the gridiron, while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity.

A midseason watch list will be released later in the fall.  A panel consisting of previous winners, national media, a member of the Dodd family and a College Football Hall of Fame member will identify the final list of potential recipients at the conclusion of the 2020 season.  The winner of the 2020 Dodd Trophy will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.

The Bulldogs are scheduled to begin this season in Fayetteville, Ark., against the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday, Sept. 26.  The SEC Network will televise the matchup at 4 p.m. ET.

By John Frierson
Staff Writer

Owen Condon was always the big kid in class. He was already 6-feet tall after sixth grade, big enough, he said, that when he played basketball in middle school the opposing teams would sometimes question whether he was the proper age.

Condon, a redshirt sophomore offensive lineman on the Georgia football team, now stands 6-7 and is listed at 310 pounds. Where he once stood out because of his size, Condon, from Oklahoma City, Okla., now fits right in with the Bulldogs’ big linemen and tight ends.

During a Quick Chat after practice Monday, Condon talked about keeping busy during the past six months, playing other sports when he was young, his first scholarship offer, and much more. Here’s some of what he had to say:

Frierson: What have the last five or six months been like for you? How did you fill the time before returning to Athens?

Condon: I went back home to Oklahoma City, and I just spent my time hanging out with my family and working out as much as I can. Things kind of opened up a little bit earlier in Oklahoma, so the gym that I go to, I was able to start working out up there with a mask, with some other guys that were home. That was good, getting to train with some other college athletes.

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The University of Georgia Athletic Association Forms Strategic Alliance With Todd Gurley

Multifaceted Partnership Includes Initiatives Across Athletics, Social Justice and Community

ATHENS, Ga. (Sept. 3, 2020) — The University of Georgia Athletic Association (UGAAA) is partnering with Atlanta Falcons running back and former Bulldog Todd Gurley across several initiatives.

Within the partnership, Gurley will be involved in a variety of aspects of on-and-off campus activities to meaningfully connect with the school, its students and alumni. Gurley will serve as a mentor and featured speaker for student-athletes on topics such as social justice, creating value beyond sport, financial literacy and entrepreneurship.

“Athens is my second home, and playing for the Falcons will allow me to spend more time there,” said Gurley. “UGA fans embraced me as a young man, and that support has stayed with me throughout my time in the NFL. I am looking forward to getting to know the students and alumni, and making a difference in the community that has meant so much to me.”

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