2013 Signees - the future looks good

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The future looks good!

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2/2013

From the editor : vance leavy Greetings Bulldog fans, it’s great to be back after a brief hiatus. And thankfully after weeks of rain in most of Georgia, the sun is shining bright on this Sunday from Athens. Yes, spring is hopefully soon to arrive and with that comes the expectations of what 2013 might bring for our beloved football team. Unfortunately, there are way too many months between now and kickoff at Clemson to begin speculating about individual games. However, the 2013 signing class is certainly something tangible we can get our arms around. With 33 signees, Mark Richt and company inked their biggest class ever and most of the national services had Georgia ranked somewhere between ninth and twelfth. The scene at Butts-Mehre on Signing Day was definitely the most subdued I’ve seen in my eight or so years of covering it. There was plenty of angst among the fans as some of Georgia’s top high school players made it official that they would not be coming to Athens to play football. What are my feelings on how this class rates? To be honest, I’m the worst possible person to ask as the entire recruiting process is something I really don’t enjoy. From anywhere to one to four years, teenagers are treated like royalty by dozens of football programs trying to sell themselves as being the best choice for the young man. And out of all these youngsters, how many actually hit the promised land at the collegiate and professional level? Not many. Because of this, I believe the circus that recruiting has become is a tragic disservice to these players. There’s but one direction for many after Signing Day as reality sets in that there’s only so many that can be super stars. Thankfully, the University of Georgia football program continues to provide an environment for players that not only can thrive on the football field, but also in life. For the football enthusiasts, enjoy Carlton DeVooght’s awesome analysis (center spread on pages 10-11) on each of the 33 new Bulldogs. You might have to take a break to finish all the reading, but take it from me it’s well worth it. Kudos go to Carlton for all his hard work in providing our readers with such great content. As he points out, this class is special in that so many of them are already enrolled at Georgia. That’s huge for their ability to contribute early and often. Carlton also points out how many of this year’s class committed to Georgia very early and never waivered. I’ll take guys that know they want to be Bulldogs way before the ones playing the hat game on Signing Day. And then on page 14 begins my favorite part of this issue. BI’s Murray Poole interviewed six of the signees’ family members. On these pages, I’m reminded that these young men are human like the rest of us. Lineman, Josh Cardiello is a foodie, who loves spending time in the kitchen. Receiver, J.J. Green is a walking world history trivia person. And Tray Matthews wanted to go to Georgia since he was a little boy. Enjoy Murray’s Q&As. They truly are special and provide some awesome fodder for upperclassmen to have some fun with the new Bull-

dogs. Lots of Barney was watched by these guys. On page 4, JD (Jeff Dantzler) takes an in-depth look at the 2013 class. He was satisfied that the class was good, but is a little worried about some of the top talent choosing to go elsewhere this go around. As we know Georgia is loaded with talent year after year and sealing the borders equates to the difference in a good season and a title season. Beyond all our signee content, this issue is loaded with plenty of photos for your perusal. From the 2013 UGA Alumni Bulldog 100 Class to the UGA Athletics Endowment Scholarship Dinner, our camera captured some great Bulldogs supporting their university. The Endowment Dinner is always a treat because you get to eat dinner with student-athletes and the conversation is more about what they are doing with their schools/lives than their sport. However, some football tidbits did come to surface. The biggest being that new 6-5’ receiver Jonathon Rumph is the real deal. Look for this monster target to haul in some big plays this fall. And those big plays are sure to be coming via the arm of quarterback Aaron Murray who is returning to Georgia for his final season. Murray Poole has an incredible interview with Aaron on page 11. Without question, his number one goal is winning the SEC and playing for the national title in Pasadena. And with his leadership, talking like that doesn’t scare me because it definitely should be what our entire team is striving for this season. I’m trying to get to the end here, but man there’s a lot to talk about in this our first issue of our second decade of publishing BI. That’s right, year 11 … time is flying. Don’t miss Murray Poole’s new series on page 5 where he goes one on one with the first ladies of Georgia football. Of course, we begin with Katharyn Richt in this issue and hopefully will talk to every coach’s significant other by the time of our final issue hits in December. Enjoy. Lastly, if your travels to Athens from southern Georgia go north on Highway 15, you will certainly enjoy Dink NeSmith’s story (page 18) on the Bulldog Barn between Wrightsville and Sandersville. The dedication that those residents show in providing classic messages to the Bulldog Nation is unbelievable. A big thank you goes to NeSmith for thinking of BI with his story. Speaking of folks submitting articles to us, we encourage our readers to check out our new Bulldawg social network … www.WeAreBulldawgs.com. There, folks can contribute their blog, photo and anything Georgia. Once you become a member, you will be among like-minded, UGA enthusiasts who love all things red and black. Wow, this is a long one. Thankfully, I’m done. Let me finish by extending a warm welcome to all the new Bulldawgs and their families. We look forward to you representing the Georgia G for the coming years. Godspeed. Finally, let me end by praising the selection of Jere Morehead as the next president of the University of Georgia. How nice to have, a tried and true, Bulldog lead UGA’s academics and athletics in the future. See you in six weeks with our next issue when we wrap up spring practice. Until then, Go Dawgs!

2013 Signees Cha Cha Cha Publishing Inc. Editor Vance Leavy Editorial & Ad Director Cheri Leavy Sports Guru Jeff Dantzler Sales Caroline Kinney, Holly Stanfill Sports Murray Poole Layout/Design Cheri Leavy, Vance Leavy Sports Photography Rob Saye Columnists Carlton DeVooght Al Hickson Rob Sherrell Loran Smith Chad White Interns Anne Maxwell Douglass, Fan Hughes, Katherine Parke, Pierce Persons. Mary Sloane Stribling, Annie Trice Delivery Hatton Abernathy, Martin Cameron Matt Clutter, Will Hayes, Frank Sinkwich IV, Champ Vance

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There were 92 players in the National Football League this past year who are natives of the state of Georgia. That’s the fourth highest total of any state. Of those 92 who prepped in the Peach State, 36 played college football for the University of Georgia. There were six first team All-Americans this past season who were Georgia natives. One of those, Jarvis Jones, played for the Bulldogs. None signed with the Bulldogs. The state of Georgia is annually loaded with talent, and there was an inordinate number of elite prospects this past season, including the nation’s top two according to some services. Georgia signed one of the state’s top ten prospects and two of the top 15. Henry Grady, the great Georgian and famed orator, wrote a brilliant speech on “The New South,” first delivered in 1886 in New York City. The topic was the rebuilding of the South from the ash, destruction and ruin of the Civil War. The following section magnificently illustrates how the South, and his beloved home state of Georgia in particular, had such potential but were not cashing in on bountiful natural resources in the years immediately following the Confederacy’s surrender. “I attended a funeral once in Pickens county in my State . . . This funeral was peculiarly sad. It was a poor “one gallus” fellow, whose breeches struck him under the armpits and hit him at the other end about the knee—he didn’t believe in decollete clothes. They buried him in the midst of a marble quarry: they cut through solid marble to make his grave; and yet a little tombstone they put above him was from Vermont. They buried him in the heart of a pine forest, and yet the pine coffin was imported from Cincinnati. They buried him within touch of an iron mine, and yet the nails in his coffin and the iron in the shovel that dug his grave were imported from Pittsburg. They buried him by the side of the best sheep-grazing country on the earth, and yet the wool in the coffin bands and the coffin bands themselves were brought from the North. The South didn’t furnish a thing on earth for that funeral but the corpse and the hole in the ground. There they put him away and the clods rattled down on his coffin, and they buried him in a New York coat and a Boston pair of shoes and a pair of breeches from Chicago and a shirt from Cincinnati, leaving him nothing to carry into the next world with him to remind him of the country in which he lived, and for which he fought for four years, but the chill of blood in his veins and the marrow in his bones.” To put it much less eloquently, Georgia possessed all the natural resources to be one of the nation’s greatest states. The same goes for Georgia football recruiting. Everything Georgia needs to be great is within the borders of a state in which it casts an enormous shadow. Make no mistake, Georgia had a good recruiting class in 2013. But it was not a great one. According to Rivals.com, the Bulldogs had the nation’s 12th best class. That ranks seventh in the SEC. According to Scout.com, the Bulldogs had the nation’s 9th best class. That ranks fifth in the SEC. Fans of SEC powers do understand that having top ten classes regularly is all relative. Right? Now let’s get all the clichés out of the way: you’re not going to get them all, rankings don’t mean everything (by the way, Alabama’s last six recruiting classes have been ranked No. 1, No. 1, No. 3, No. 2, No. 1 and No.1 nationally), there are five star busts, there are two star future All-Americans. All true, but can anyone who loves Georgia actually try and sell that it’s not a good

thing to get just one of the top ten and two of the top 15 in-state players? Obviously, there’s no way to get them all, but as Bulldog great Mike Cavan – All-SEC quarterback and the man who landed Herschel Walker – says, you have to get your fair share. And sometimes more. Just batting .500 with the state’s best – think if the Bulldogs had three of those six All-Americans on a team that came oh so close to playing for the national title – while continuing to supplement with elite out-ofstaters is the sure-fire recipe for greatness. The latter has been a tremendous strength for the Bulldogs. When Georgia can consistently get that fair share , while continuing to pull in out of state greats like Knowshon Moreno, Matthew Stafford, A.J. Green, Todd Gurley and John Theus the Bulldogs will be every bit as good as LSU has and Alabama since Nick Saban’s two arrivals. LSU signed nine of Louisiana’s top 11 prospects this year. Alabama got the top five from Alabama. Imagine Georgia doing that on a consistent basis? It’s not easy, it never has been. Though the state’s borders are what they are, the simple fact of geography is that several opposing schools are located very close to the Peach State’s boundaries, meaning campuses in places like Auburn, Clemson and Tallahassee are shorter drives from some talent rich areas in Georgia than Athens. But since the Bulldogs and Tech rarely go head to head for a lot of players, Georgia is essentially the lone wolf in one of the most talent laden states in the country. So even in a year when the Bulldogs don’t dominate the state, there is still a bounty of talent to keep Georgia competitive. The worry from this class is that it will turn out to be like the class of 2007. That year, Georgia did sign a good class, including Drew Butler, Justin Houston and Clint Boling, all of whom are playing in the NFL. But that season’s in-state list of prospects included Cam Newton, Eric Berry, Cameron Heyward, Jonathan Dwyer and Morgan Burnett. Georgia came close to playing for the national title in 2007. Two years later, the Bulldogs were 85. The next year, Georgia went 6-7. Again, it’s tough to get them all, but imagine the difference just a couple of these standouts would have made? The state will again be loaded next year, and it is essential to strike with a great class. Though far too many of the state’s elite got away this past year, the Bulldogs did pull a big class that includes several players who could potentially have immediate impacts to fill some gaping holes left by departed defenders. That includes defensive linemen John Atkins, Chris Mayes and Toby Johnson and outside linebacker Leonard Floyd, who all come either the prep school or junior college ranks. The Georgia staff did an outstanding job of locating prospects who could join Georgia for spring practice. The Bulldogs pulled in 13 players who are already enrolled, including highly touted freshman safety Trey Matthews, who will be counted on help fill the void at safety left by the departure of Baccarri Rambo and Shawn Williams. In fact, this class goes a long way towards rebuilding Georgia’s defensive depth. If that happens sooner than later, the Bulldogs could be right in the thick of the SEC and national championship picture again in 2013. But to be there regularly, like several SEC rivals, Mr. Grady’s words of wisdom on the capitalization of home grown resources continue to show a pathway to greatness.

Bulldawg Illustrated

poole shots By Murray Poole

Katharyn Richt says recruiting affects wives, too When Georgia put the cap on its 2013 recruiting class Feb. 6 with 32 stellar signees that again enabled the Bulldogs to reel in one of the top 10, 15 classes in the country, the team’s hardworking coaching staff was able to finally sit back, catch its breath – at least for a day or two – and savor the result of the many hours they had spent on the road and in the air in pursuit of the nation’s top high school football players. But the Bulldog coaches themselves weren’t the only ones who were relieved, and most thankful too, that another signing class had been put to bed. The Georgia staff’s better halves – namely the coaches’ wives – were very happy to be able to reacquaint with their husbands once again. “I think it’s interesting because most people think that once football season is over our husbands are back and, in reality, they’re not,” said the First Lady of Georgia football, Katharyn Richt, who you know not only as the wife of Bulldogs’ head coach Mark Richt but as “The Water Girl” who toils on the Sanford Stadium sidelines in the fall months. “They’re gone probably more so in recruiting once the season is over because then they can hit the road. They have a dead period around Christmas time and in bowl game time that they can’t be visiting recruits but other than that, they’re gone.” Katharyn says her husband’s recruiting visit schedule is a bit different than that of the assistant coaches. “Mark usually goes in and out and does come home but it may be 11 or 12 o’clock at night,” she related. “And then he gets up and leaves at 5 or 6 the next morning so it’s a hard grind for him. But some of the coaches, a lot of the on-the-field coaches, are gone from Sunday night until they come back in Friday, and then they come back in Friday to entertain the recruits that we have on campus. And the wives actually get heavily involved with that,” Mrs. Richt said. “They’re going to dinner and things of that nature. They come and have desserts at our house and then they’re entertaining them all day Saturday, showing them the campus, having them meet with professors they’re interested in and just talking football with them. And then they entertain them again Saturday night and even on Sunday mornings until they leave our campus usually Sunday after lunch.” Katharyn said the cycle then starts all over again the next week. “The husbands ship out again, going to see whomever they need to see,” she said. “They’ll touch base with that next group to stay hot on the trail and it doesn’t end until signing day. Signing day is the first Wednesday in February every year and that is the day we celebrate for two reasons: hopefully, we’ve had a great recruiting class and the fruit of our husbands being gone has come to fruition and the other thing is that we get them back again for a little while.” In the following question-and-answer session, Katharyn Richt gives the Bulldawg Nation a glimpse into her background and what it’s like being married to a football coach at a major university like Georgia: Years married, children? Mark and I will have been married 26 years on March 14. We have Jon and Jon is married to Anna and they’re both turning 23. And we have David, who is 18 and going to Belmont next year. And the next would be Zach, who is 16. And then we have the baby, Anya, although she doesn’t like to be called ‘Baby.’ She just turned 16 and is a horseback rider, loves to ride and is enjoying that. The most gratifying part of being married to a college football coach? I love it when the boys have graduated and they come back and you’ll see them and they’ll say, “you know, your husband made a big difference in my life.” And sometimes it’s the boys that he disciplined and that he may, for whatever reason, have had to even kick off the team or whatever but they usually come back and say, “I was young and I didn’t know what I was doing but your husband’s influence and the impact he made on my life was huge.” And I don’t think there’s anything better than that. The most challenging part of being married to a college football coach? Probably the most challenging part is just the pressure and the stress. The bottom line out there for everybody, and we all understand it, is winning. But there’s so much more that goes into it and part of that is the character and the building of lives into these men and teaching these men

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that it’s worth something to do it right. It’s worth something not to cut corners. There are good things that will happen if you do it the right way and if you care and if you have integrity. There’s so many times in this world I just think you don’t see that as much. I don’t think that gets rewarded as much and sometimes it’s just a harder road but in the end, you feel better and just know you can hold your head up and know that you’ve done the best that you can do and you’ve done it the right way. Where did you grow up and what made it special? I grew up in Tallahassee, Florida and my whole family lived there. My dad was a YMCA director in Tallahassee and we just had a great childhood. There were four siblings and we were all fairly close and we still are to this day. I’ve just been very blessed my whole life … very blessed. Other than rooting on the Bulldogs, what are some of your other passions? Well, we love feeding the homeless. Our whole family gets together, the whole Richt family. Mark’s mom and his dad and his wife and the brothers and sisters, we get together with our kids and feed the homeless every month at their Daily Bread. And we love doing that and I love Mercy Health Center. I volunteer for that when I can find the time, and Mark loves The Healing Place, which is a place for men that are down and out and just need a place to go to try and get back on their feet. What do you like most about UGA and living in the Athens area? I love Athens, I love the people in Athens. It’s southern hospitality at its finest and I just think the people are great. They’re very sweet and the kind of people who will yield and just be kind to one another. I’ve never had any problem with anybody here and I love downtown Athens. I think downtown Athens is just a fun place to go with all the shops and all the dining, and the university itself is absolutely gorgeous. So you can’t beat it – there’s no better place.

NE VER SE E T TLE FOR LLESS NEVER SETTLE YOU DESERVE MOORE

If your husband wasn’t a college coach, what career do you envision him having? I can’t envision him doing anything else. This is what he loves. Your favorite UGA football moment? I mean the Hobnail Boot (Dogs’ last minute 26-24 win at Tennessee in 2001) was great because that kind of got everybody believing in Mark and what he was doing and things like that. That was huge but I’m also trying to remember the exact game where you felt like we turned it around because we went through those tough seasons. We started out where we lost to Boise and then lost to South Carolina (in 2011) and it may have been the Florida game that year (2420 UGA win) where I just was like, “Thank you Lord!” It just made everybody start believing again. Sometimes it’s hard. I know Mark and the team were believing and sticking together but it’s hard to get everybody else on board too but I think after that, they were like, “OK, you know what, we can do it, Coach Richt can do it and we are here to do it.” Of course, the Alabama game this season we were one play short but at the same time I believe everybody feels we can do it, Georgia can do it and Georgia will do it. And Lord willing, it will happen soon. Editor’s Note: After a 2012 series on members of the Georgia athletic board in this column space, in this year’s issues we will take an in-depth look at the coaching staff’s pillars of support – their wives.

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2013 Bulldog 100 rankings

UGA Alumni Association Bulldog 100 Atlanta

Company Name

Neerav Maniklal, Brett Blalock, Chris Hanks, Lindsay Ellsworth and Bhavik Patel

Arvill Stanford, Emily McGee and Ryan Barrow

Kaitlin Kelly, Keanan Gomez and Melissa Leonardo

Bill Gurley, Janie Gurley and Pete Correll

Jean Underwood, Mark Watson and Eric Ragone

Anesia Sandifer, Marcus Wilson and Jayda Hazell

James Hitson, Jennifer Goodwin and Tommie Lou Hitson

Kristin Lunsford, Brian Lunsford, Brandon Lunsford and Lindsay Lundsford

Julie Barkley George Barkley, Patrick Webb and Christa Webb

Maurice Werner, Laura Gross, Vince Stanley and Donna Stanley

Margaret Carey, Jimmy Carey, Jill Singer and Mike Singer

Russell Edwards, Airee Hong, Linda Edwards and Janith Falzone Tracey Grant, Sammy Grant and Benjamin Needle

Don Chandler and Mark Williamson

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Alan Dorsey, David and Laura Jolly

Mica David and Danielle Burnette

Chris Betts and Heather Malcom

Chris Belknap and Stacey Voshall

Charlotte Way and Kathy Patton

Ed and Jan Loftis

Johnie Tucker and Kate O'Reily

Harriette and Robin Bohannon

James and Sarah Morra

Jeremy Headrick and Siara Abdulla

Sharon and Larry Cunningham

Ruth Bartlett and Dick Ingwersen

Owen Blank and Arturo Gonzalez

Ron and Rachel Holt

Lisa and Keith Oelke

Rodney Bennett and Keane Johnson

Paul and Tammy Messier

Thomas and Jean Lauth

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Bulldawg Illustrated

Murray seeks ‘that next step’ Veteran QB returns with championship aspirations and is encouraged by fellow leaders and 2013 signees By Murray Poole

e’s passed for a total of 10,091 yards and 95 touchdowns in his three seasons as starting quarterback for the Georgia Bulldogs and is on a steady course to rewrite all the individual passing records in the Southeastern Conference. He’s led Georgia to 10-win and 12-win seasons the past two years, campaigns that have resulted in consecutive SEC Eastern Division titles for the Bulldogs of Mark Richt. But what Aaron Murray hasn’t done is lead his team to a conference championship and a berth in the BCS national championship game and that, Bulldog Nation, is why Murray bypassed the money of the National Football League and opted to return to Georgia for his redshirt senior season. Those five agonizing yards that the Bulldogs came up short in the 32-28 SEC title game loss to Alabama made Aaron Murray and the other returning Georgia players even more hungry to come back and take that extra giant leap in 2013 and make it to Pasadena, Calif., site of next year’s BCS championship clash. “We are ready to take that next step,â€? said Murray, who rates as a bonafide All-America and Heisman Trophy candidate this coming season. “Last year was a great year and we’ve continued to build each year since I’ve been here. You go 6-7 and then 10-4 and then 12-2 and be one play away from the national championship, we’re definitely getting better and better and I think this team this year has a chance to be even better than last year. And that says a lot,â€? added Murray, “because we were pretty special last year. We still have a lot of work to do, we’re far from where we need to be, but we have a lot of time to get ready before that first game (Aug. 31 opener at Clemson).â€? But first, before Georgia embarks on a grueling early season slate that will see the Bulldogs confront the likes of Clemson, South Carolina and LSU before September has even ended, the team must find some answers in the upcoming spring practices, which begin this Saturday, March 2, and will conclude with the annual G-Day Game April 6. Whereas nearly all of Georgia’s starting offensive unit returns, the Bulldogs were decimated on the defensive side of the ball where some 10 starters from last season have migrated to the NFL or into the business world. “In spring practice we just want to get better,â€? said Murray, who is now less than 1,500 yards from becoming the all-time SEC career passing leader, vaulting over the likes of Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel and former Georgia greats David Greene and Eric Zeier. Greene is the current SEC leader with 11,528 yards while Zeier threw for a total of 11,153. Also, with his 95 career touchdown passes, Murray is drawing a bead on the SEC career record of 114, held by Wuerffel, the former Florida Gator. “The whole goal of spring is to get reps, especially for the young guys, guys who maybe got a little bit of playing time last year or got redshirted,â€? Murray said. “Now is their time to show the coaches what they’ve got, to show the coaches what they’ve been doing these first two months of this year when it comes to the weight room, when it comes to throwing, the mat drills, everything ‌ showing the coaches that ‘hey, better be ready for me come fall because I’m looking to get a spot.’ But, like I say, spring is great for young guys to get reps, and it’s great for myself and the older veteran guys to continue working on things we need to work on. “I know myself, personally, I need to continue working on my footwork, making sure I’m perfect in that area, working on my accuracy, so there’s things I need to work on and I need to use those 14, 15 days to get after it.â€? Murray also says he needs to assume even more of a leadership role with the team than he displayed during his redshirt freshman, sophomore and junior seasons. “I need to try to continue to become more of a vocal leader, to continue to push guys to work harder,â€? he related. “I think that’s the biggest thing for any leader, being able to find ways to get guys to want to work harder, to want to get better and make this team better.â€? And Murray says a number of upperclassmen on the Bulldogs are striving to take the next step in leadership as well.

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photo by Rob Saye

“We’ve got Arthur Lynch, David Andrews, Kenarious Gates, Chris Burnette, Dallas Lee ‌ I mean the whole offensive line, all those guys are juniors and seniors and they’re the heart and soul of this team,â€? he said. “We just have a lot of great leadership. Malcolm Mitchell has really stepped up leadership-wise. Damian Swann in the secondary, Amarlo Herrera at linebacker and also Garrison Smith in the defensive line, we have a ton of leaders and come spring time I’m pretty sure more will continue to emerge in our practices as well.â€? The veteran quarterback is excited about the recruiting class Richt and his assistant coaches hauled in on National Signing Day Feb. 6 and says the 13 new Bulldogs who are already enrolled in class and have gone through the mat drills in preparation for their first spring practice in Athens are really going to be a plus for Georgia this coming fall. “It’s huge for these guys to come in early,â€? said Murray, alluding to the likes of Johnathan Atkins, Aulden Bynum, Josh Cardiello, Reggie Carter, J.J. Green, Tray Matthews, Quincy Mauger, Chris Mayes, Brice Ramsey, Ryne Rankin, Jonathon Rumph, Tramel Terry and Reggie Wilkerson. “I came in early, as yall know, and it’s a huge benefit to come in early, to get to know the playbook, to get a spring under your belt and just get into the weight program to gain muscle, to gain some speed and gain some weight but, mostly, I think the biggest thing, like I said, is to be able to participate in spring practice ‌ to get to interact with the coaches and to learn the plays. And I think that’s only going to help you and advance you when it comes to the summer and then also when it comes to camp in the fall. “So it’s huge for those guys and it’s great for us because we always need players,â€? said Murray. “And I think we have a lot of defensive guys in here right now early, a lot of DB’s, and that’s a spot where we lost a bunch of guys last year so we’re looking forward to seeing what these guys got come spring and see if they will be ready to compete come fall. They’re working hard; these young guys are getting in the weight room and are working their tails off, they’re giving everything the coaches and the leaders of the team are asking them to do. They’re getting after it and it’s awesome to see just how determined they are at such an early stage.â€? And, yes, Aaron Murray truly believes these 2013 Bulldogs will make it back to Atlanta and, this time, walk off with the SEC championship and, subsequently, charge full throttle into the national championship game at Rose Bowl Stadium. “I’m excited,â€? Murray declared. “It should be a great year. Like I said, we’re still far from where we need to be but we’ve still got plenty of time just to keep working, and if we stay at the pace we are now when it comes to working and preparing, I think it will be a great year for us.â€?

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John Atkins

Davin Bellamy

Paris Bostick

Aulden Bynum

Josh Cardiello

Reginald Carter

Jordan Davis

Reggie Davis

Brendan Douglas

Leonard Floyd

Shaquille Fluker

J.J. Green

DeAndre Johnson

Kennar Johnson

Rico Johnson

Toby Johnson

Georgia’s massive class combines in and out of state talent that is ready to contribute

Carlton DeVooght

The ink has dried on the letters of intent for the University of Georgia’s Class of 2013 and it is a big stack of LOIs. There are 33 student athletes that have signed with the Bulldog’s Class of 2013, the largest class during Mark Richt’s tenure at UGA. This class addresses a number of needs for the Dawgs, especially in the secondary. There are also a number of playmakers and an incredible number (13) of players that enrolled early to participate in spring practice. Let’s meet the new Bulldogs by position.

Defensive Line John Atkins (6’4”, 310 lbs) Atkins originally signed with the Bulldogs in 2012, but has spent the past year at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia. This Thomson High School product has spent the past year getting bigger and stronger and has enrolled early in Athens. With Georgia losing its top two Defensive Tackles from last year, Atkins’ early enrollment will help him get a leg up on significant playing time in the fall. Although other schools tried to get this 4-star prospect to reopen his recruitment, Atkins stayed committed to the Bulldogs and never waivered in his commitment. Look for him to step in and be a big force in the middle for the defense. DeAndre Johnson (6’3”, 310 lbs) Northgate High School, Newnan, Georgia. Johnson is new to the game of football, as he first began playing organized ball in 2011. It is hard to call this 3-star prospect a “sleeper” when he boasts an offer sheet that includes the likes of Florida, Florida State, South Carolina, Tennessee, and many other regional national powers, but many recruiting experts feel he is just beginning to show his potential. Johnson committed to the Bulldogs at the end of February in 2012, stayed true to his commitment and recruited other players to join him. Johnson will be given every opportunity to come in and play on the D-Line. His big body will eat up blockers, freeing up Georgia’s inside line backing corps. Toby Johnson (6’4”, 310 lbs) Hutchison Community College, Hutchison, Kansas. The Bulldogs received a post signing day reward with the signing of Hutchison Community College Defensive Lineman Toby Johnson. The 4-star prospect was long thought to be a Bulldog lean, but waited to sign until it was certain that all of his academics were in order to enroll in Athens in May. Johnson was dominating the Junior College ranks, ranked as the 8th overall Junior College prospect in the country. He has an explosive first step and great overall quickness. He tore his ACL in November and had surgery in December. He is undergoing rehab at this time, which will be overseen in Athens once he arrives. Had he not been injured, Johnson would almost certainly be a starter for the defensive line this Fall. Once he is released to play, he will see significant playing time at either nose or defensive end for the Bulldogs. What was a good defensive line class on signing day became even better with Toby Johnson’s addition. Chris Mayes (6’4”, 335 lbs) Spaulding High School, Griffin, Georgia. Mayes is following former Bulldog, Jonathan Jenkins, who also played at Gulf Coast Community College. Like Atkins, Mayes was a part of a previous class for the Bulldogs, originally signing with Georgia in 2011. He enrolled in Gulf Coast Community College in Perkinston, Mississippi, where he spent two years, but redshirted last year. This leaves him three years of eligibility. Mayes also enrolled early, which is great news for the Bulldogs’ defense. Having both Mayes and John Atkins in spring practice will give Coach Grantham and new Bulldog defensive line Coach Wilson extra time with these big young men. Although a number of national powerhouses tried to get Mayes to reopen his recruitment, he stayed committed to the Bulldogs, even after former Bulldog assistant Rodney Garner left. Mayes said it was always his desire to get back to Georgia and play for the home team in Athens. Under Coach Wilson’s tutelage, I believe Mayes and Atkins will be as good or better than the two defensive tackles that just left Athens for the NFL draft. These four men have a lot of potential and will be expected to make an early impact on the Bulldog’s defensive line. It is extremely important that Atkins and Mayes enrolled early so that they can go through spring practice. This will give them added time working with Coach Wilson and Coach Grantham, which I believe will pay off for the Bulldogs’ defense this coming season. Once Toby Johnson is released to play, he will push for playing time.

Tim Kimbrough

Brandon Kublanow

Brendan Langley

Linebackers Davin Bellamy (6’5”, 240 lbs) Chamblee High School, Chamblee, Georgia. Davin Bellamy was a long time commitment to the Florida State Seminoles, but reopened his commitment after former Bulldog assistant, Rodney Garner, left for Auburn. Coach Grantham went to meet with Bellamy after Garner’s departure and Bellamy was willing to give the home state Bulldogs a second look. Grantham told Bellamy that he has the measurables and the intangibles to play the outside linebacker position for the Bulldogs in much the same fashion that former Bulldog Jarvis Jones did. Bellamy was both surprised and pleased by these comments and immediately the Bulldogs rose to the top of his list. Ranked as one of the top 25 Defensive Ends in the country, Bellamy can use his size and wingspan to disrupt the passing lanes for opposing quarterbacks. He also has a great initial burst, which will help him be an effective pass rusher in the SEC. Bellamy had offers from teams all over the country, including Auburn, Florida State, Michigan State, South Carolina and many others. Bellamy was a welcome late addition to the Bulldogs’ 2013 class. Reginald Carter (6’1”, 224 lbs) South Gwinnett High School, Snellville, Georgia. Reggie Carter is another early enrollee in this class. Ranked as one of the top 14 inside linebackers in the country, this 4-star prospect has been somewhat overlooked compared to some of the other linebacker signees in this class. He was not overlooked by other programs, having received offers from Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, South Carolina and many others. Carter had the opportunity to play in several All-Star games, but instead decided to start his time in Athens early and participate in bowl and spring practices. This will certainly give him the opportunity to earn early playing time with the Bulldogs given the somewhat thin depth chart at inside linebacker. Leonard Floyd (6’4”, 230 lbs) Dodge County High School, Eastman, Georgia. Leonard Floyd originally signed with the Bulldogs in 2012 and spent the past year with John Atkins at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia. During the course of the year, Floyd added approximately 20 pounds of good weight and successfully completed all of his qualifications to enroll early in Athens. Unfortunately, the administrative offices in Hargrave did not submit the paperwork with the NCAA in time for Floyd to enroll early. He will be in Athens as soon as possible after the school year, and will provide immediate help at outside linebacker for the Bulldogs. This 4-star prospect was heavily recruited out of high school by all of the SEC powerhouse schools, but chose the in state Bulldogs. He reconfirmed his commitment in August of 2012, with the intent of enrolling early. Despite this minor setback, Floyd will be in Athens soon and will have an immediate impact for the Bulldogs. Tim Kimbrough (6’1”, 226 lb) Warren Central High School, Indianapolis, Indiana. Kimbrough is a hard-nosed inside linebacker that will compete for playing time once he steps on campus. Ranked as one of the top six inside linebacker prospects in the country, this 4-star prospect was also ranked as one of the top 150 players in the country. Kimbrough surprised many recruiting prognosticators by picking the Bulldogs over offers from all over the country. Kimbrough was called one of the hardest hitters on either team at the U.S. Army All-American Game. He is one of the jewels of a very strong line backing corps in the Class of 2013. Shaun McGee (6’3”, 233 lbs) Brookwood High School, Snellville, Georgia McGee is a fast and versatile linebacker who can play any of the four linebacker positions for the Bulldogs. The 3-star prospect is ranked one of the top 25 overall linebackers in the Class of 2013, and will have the opportunity to use his versatility to earn early playing time next year. The coaches have told McGee that he will likely start out at one of the inside linebacker positions, but will rotate outside in longer yardage situations. McGee was a virtual unknown except to instate recruiters until the summer before his senior year. During that summer, he attended several camps and earned scholarship offers from Alabama, Georgia, Florida and many, many others. In the end, McGee chose the home state Bulldogs over the Crimson Tide. Johnny O’Neal (6’2”, 225 lbs). West Laurens High School, Dublin, Georgia. When Johnny O’Neal hits an opposing running back, they always go backwards. This four star prospect is ranked as one of the top 16 linebackers in the country and participated in the U.S. Army All-American Game. This hard-hitting inside linebacker had offers from Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Louisville, South Carolina and many others. He committed to the home state Bulldogs in March, 2012, and pretty much shut

Uriah LeMay

Tray Matthews

Quincy Mauger

down his recruitment at that point. Like the other linebacker prospects in this group, O’Neal has the opportunity to come in to summer camp and work his way on the field for the Bulldogs. His strength is driving to the point of attack and meeting the ball carrier in the hole. O’Neal will need a little work in coverage, but he can certainly work on that when he arrives in Athens. Ryne Rankin (6’1”, 235 lbs). East River High School, Orlando, Florida. Rankin is one of several outstanding out-ofstate prospects to sign with the Bulldogs. Like Reggie Carter, Rankin opted not to accept invitations to play in All-American Bowls so that he could get to Athens for bowl practices and enroll early at UGA. Rankin is a hard-nosed player who doesn’t back down from a challenge. It was widely reported that he got into a bit of a scuffle with offensive tackle John Theus his first day of practice. If his enthusiasm translates into the results, Rankin’s early enrollment will pay huge dividends for him and for the Bulldogs this fall. Rankin had scholarship offers from programs all over the country, but was drawn to Coach Grantham’s defensive scheme. This is a talented group of linebackers, and they all will be given the opportunity to play early. Those who capitalize on this opportunity will be on the field for the Bulldogs this fall.

Defensive Backs Paris Bostick (6’1”, 210 lbs). Plant High School, Tampa, Florida. Bostick earned a scholarship offer from the Bulldogs for his performance at Dawg Night. This Plant High School standout had a tremendous senior season, averaging over nine tackles a game from the Safety position. A 3-star prospect, Bostick will challenge for playing time at Strong Safety once he gets on campus. While not the most highly touted of the safety prospects in this year’s class, Bostick may play with the highest motor of any defensive back in this year’s class. My friend J.D. Mosely also says that Bostick is a high character kid who is dependable and extremely hard working. Shaquille Fluker (6’1”, 210 lbs, 4.5/40) East Mississippi Community College, Scooba, Mississippi. Fluker is a hardhitting safety who uses his speed both to come up in run support and in coverage situations. Ranked as one of the top junior college safeties this year, Fluker will be looked to help fill the void at safety for the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs could also use Fluker in special team situations to return kicks. Look for Fluker to challenge for a starting position the moment he walks on campus. Kennar Johnson (6’2”, 190 lbs). Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Perkinston, Mississippi. Originally, from Clermont Florida, Kennar Johnson wanted the opportunity to play football in the SEC. After committing to the Bulldogs, Johnson was slated to enroll early in Athens. Unfortunately, due to a delay in the delivery of a decision from the NCAA, Johnson was unaware that he was eligible to enroll early until after UGA has been in classes for a couple of weeks. Since that time, Johnson has stayed in close contact with the Bulldog coaches, and has been training diligently at a training center in Clermont alongside several Olympic hopefuls. Coach Lakatos has told Johnson that he will likely start at safety but will be cross-trained at both safety and cornerback. Like his fellow Junior College transfer, Shaquille Fluker, Johnson will be looked to provide immediate support at the safety position. Brendan Langley (6’1”, 190 lbs). Kell High School, Marietta, Georgia. Langley was one of the big ones that almost got away. Originally committed to the old ball coach at South Carolina, Langley came to his senses and switched to the home state Bulldogs. Langley is ranked as one of the top cornerbacks in the State of Georgia this year. He has the ideal size for Coach Lakatos’ coverage schemes and will be given the opportunity to earn early playing time for the Bulldogs. Langley was originally scheduled to enroll early, but was not allowed to graduate early by his high school. He also possesses true football speed, and could provide the Bulldogs with help in their return game. Langley chose the Bulldogs over offers from Alabama, Florida, South Carolina and several others. Tray Matthews (6’0”, 195 lbs). Newnan High School, Newnan, Georgia. Matthews is considered the most high profile high school prospect in the Bulldogs class this year. He committed to the Bulldogs right before his junior season. Matthews participated in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, where he demonstrated why he is ranked as one of the top five safety prospects in the country. This 4-star prospect is also ranked as one of the top five overall prospects in the State of Georgia and the 44th ranked player overall in the country. As you can imag-

Chris Mayes

Shaun McGee

ine, Matthews had offers from every major program in the country, but stayed true to his commitment to the home-state Bulldogs. Matthews is an early enrollee, which will help him to step right in and earn playing time at safety and on special teams his freshman year. Quincey Mauger (6’0”, 200 lbs) Kell High School, Marietta, Georgia. Mauger earned his offer from the Bulldogs at the Mark Richt Mini-Camp this past summer. He committed very quickly after receiving his offer, and played a big role in flipping his teammate and close friend, Brendan Langley, to the Bulldogs. Mauger is considered a sleeper prospect in this class, but he has enrolled early and has the work ethic and football IQ to earn early playing time. At a minimum, he will contribute on special teams early in his Bulldog career. Mauger did not just earn an offer at the mini-camp this summer, but many in attendance felt that he was the best prospect at the camp. His dominant performance showed the coaches what he had to offer. Shaquille Wiggins (5’10”, 168 lbs, 4.5/40) Sandy Creek High School, Tyrone, Georgia. There are some who question whether Shaquille Wiggins may be too small in stature for the SEC, but his personality and ability on the field prove him worthy of his 4-star ranking. In fact, Deon Sanders singled out Shaquille Wiggins as one of his standout performers at the Under Armour All-Star Game. Wiggins is excellent in coverage and has been one of the biggest recruiters for the Bulldogs this year. Originally committing in February 2012, Wiggins worked hard on a number of in-state prospects this year. Look for Wiggins to challenge for playing time at Corner once he arrives in Athens. He is definitely one of the stars in this talented class of defensive backs. Reggie Wilkerson (5’11”, 163 lbs). Marion High School, Ocala, Florida. Wilkerson committed to the Bulldogs this past spring. At that time, he shut down his commitment despite offers from big time programs all over the country. This 4-star prospect played both offense and defense his senior year, but will be counted on to provide depth at the cornerback position. Wilkerson enrolled early which will give him the opportunity to earn playing time, especially at the nickel position. This 4-star prospect is ranked as one of the top 20 cornerbacks in the country, and will definitely benefit from participating in spring practice this year. This is an extremely talented group of defensive backs that fill a number of needs for the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs coaches also did a good job of recruiting several Junior College prospects to provide class separation. This talented group has not received the accolades they deserve, which will certainly serve as motivation for them when they all arrive in Athens.

Offensive Line Aulden Bynum (6’5”, 261 lbs). Valwood, Valdosta, Georgia. Aulden Bynum has an ideal frame and possesses tremendous quickness (5.0/40) for an offensive tackle. Although he played at a small private school in Valdosta, Bynum had offers from a number of big time programs like South Carolina and Auburn. He was one of the early enrollees in this class, and has already been working hard on campus. While he is likely headed for a redshirt season to add weight, don’t forget his name, because he has a ton of upside and will play at tackle or guard for the Bulldogs. Josh Cardiello (6’3”, 281 lbs). Buford High School, Buford, Georgia. Cardiello is a bruiser on the inside of the offensive line. Slated to play guard for the Bulldogs, Cardiello is another early enrollee in this class. A road grader in the running game in high school, Cardiello will need to add some weight to hold up against the bigger defensive linemen and linebackers in the SEC. He will be a force to be reckoned with on the inside of the Bulldog’s offensive line in the future. Brandon Kublanow (6’3”, 290 lbs). Walton High School, Marietta, Georgia. Kublanow is nicknamed “Bull”. How can you not love an offensive lineman with that nickname? Kublanow is ranked as one of the top two offensive centers in the country, but has the versatility to play center or guard for the Bulldogs. This 4-star prospect’s toughness was on display everyday during practices leading up the U.S. Army All-Star Game. Kublanow committed to the Bulldogs in May, 2012 over offers from Auburn, Florida, Florida State, LSU, South Carolina, USC, and many others. All he does on the football field is dominate the man or men lining up across from him. He and Cardiello will form a menacing duo on the interior of the Bulldogs’ offensive line.

Johnny O’Neal

Brice Ramsey

Ryne Rankin

DeVondre Seymour (6’6”, 290 lbs). North Gwinnett High School, Suwannee, Georgia. DeVondre Seymour was a welcomed late addition to the Bulldogs Class of 2013. This offensive tackle is the nephew of former Bulldog, Richard Seymour and really had a strong senior season for North Gwinnet High School. Seymour picked the Bulldogs over offers from Alabama, Florida, South Carolina and several others. Don’t let Seymour’s three star ranking fool you. There were some academic question marks early in the recruiting process that led to many recruiting agencies discounting his talents. Now it looks like he will either qualify or head to prep school, and not the Junior College route. One of the highlights for this young man during his senior season was the state playoffs in which he thoroughly dominated and manhandled Robert Nkemdiche from Grayson High School, the number one overall prospect in the country. If that kind of dominating performance doesn’t get Bulldog fans excited about having Seymour in this class, I don’t know what would. This group of offensive linemen is talented and has a nasty streak that is exactly what Coach Will Friend likes to see in his players. Although the Bulldogs missed out on a top recruit on the offensive line, perhaps because of shady dealings, they did land four talented young men who will effectively pave the way for Bulldog running backs and protect Aaron Murray and future Bulldog quarterbacks.

Tight Ends Jordan Davis (6’4”, 225 lbs). Thomson High School, Thomson, Georgia. The Bulldogs wanted to get an athletic tight end in this class. They found their man in Thomson High School’s Jordan Davis. He was a devastating blocker for the Thomson Bulldogs his senior season and made the most of the few balls thrown his way. Davis is very athletic for a man his size. He was a state finalist in the 110-meter hurdles as a junior. While he is likely headed for a redshirt season in order to bulk up, look for Davis to be next in the long line of successful tight ends in Athens.

Wide Receivers Reggie Davis (6’0”, 159 lbs). Lincoln High School, Tallahassee, Florida. Coach Lilly and Coach Ball pulled off a recruiting coup by going into Tallahassee and pulling Reggie Davis out of Lincoln High School. This 4-star receiver has good speed and great quickness. He also has a 32-inch vertical leap which helps him go up and get the ball, especially when going across the middle of the field. Davis chose the Bulldogs over offers from Alabama, Florida, Notre Dame, Ohio State, South Carolina and many others. He is a true playmaker, and you can never have too many of those on offense. Rico Johnson (5’11”, 170 lbs). Swainsboro High School, Swainsboro, Georgia. Rico Johnson is a speed merchant. Last year he won the GHSA AA State Championship in the 100 meters with a time of 11.05. While competing in the Mark Richt mini-camp in June of last year, he ran a 4.28 in the 40-yard dash. After showing his blazing speed, Johnson went on to put on a clinic at Receiver at the camp, and earned his offer from the Bulldogs. Despite having blazing speed, Johnson also likes to get physical with opposing defensive backs. He isn’t afraid of a DB trying to jam him at the line. Johnson can do some amazing things with the ball in his hands. Uriah LeMay (6’1”, 181 lbs). Butler High School, Matthews, North Carolina. The younger brother of current Bulldog quarterback, Christian LeMay, Uriah had a tremendous senior year. It seemed like he scored a touchdown every time he touched the ball. The younger LeMay had offers from all over the country, but decided to come to Athens and play with his older brother. Coach Tony Ball did a great job of recruiting Uriah to Athens. While we all know a player doesn’t typically single handedly lead his team to the championship, LeMay was the main star for the Butler Bulldogs during their perfect 15-0 season and state championship run. LeMay has a good shot at earning early playing time at Wide Receiver for the Bulldogs next year. Jonathan Rumph (6’5”, 215 lbs). Holmes Community College, Goodman, Mississippi. The Bulldogs wanted some class separation amongst the wide receivers in the 2013 recruiting class, so they looked into the Junior College ranks for a star wide receiver. They found their man in Jonathan Rumph from Holmes Community College. Rumph is almost exactly the same size as former Bulldog Marlon Brown, but is faster on the field. This 4-star prospect was ranked as one of the top 10 overall Junior College prospects for 2013. Rumph also enrolled early,

Jonathon Rumph

DeVondre Seymour

Tramel Terry

which will give him extra reps with Bulldog quarterback, Aaron Murray and extra time learning the playbook with Coach Ball and Coach Bobo. Expectations are high for Rumph for next year and he says he intends to deliver.

Running Backs Brendan Douglas (6’0”, 275 lbs). Aquinas High School, Augusta, Georgia. Douglas is listed as one of the top five fullback prospects in the country, but will be given an opportunity at running back. Douglas is a bruising runner with good speed (4.45/40). If you watch some of his game film, Douglas will remind you of a faster Mike Alstott, in my opinion. Originally committed to Georgia Tech, Douglas flipped to the Bulldogs when offered just a few days before signing day. While he may one day end up at fullback for the Bulldogs, don’t count Douglas out for earning playing time at running back between the hedges. A.J. Turman (6’0”, 205 lbs). Boone High School, Orlando, Florida. A.J. Turman was solid pickup at running back for the Bulldogs. This 4-star prospect reminds many recruiting prognosticators of former Bulldog, Danny Ware. He has deceptive speed, and is a powerful North-South runner. Turman picked the Bulldogs over offers from Florida State, Miami, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Wisconsin and many others. Like Ware, Turman is a big power back that Georgia wanted to add to this class. Both of these running backs run with power and aren’t afraid to run over opposing defenders. They will be a nice change of pace from Gurley and Marshall, and will be effective replacements for recent transfer Ken Malcome.

Athlete J.J. Green (5’9”, 186 lbs). Camden County High School, Kingsland, Georgia. It has been my pleasure to see J.J. Green play in person on more than one occasion. This young man is fast (4.4/40) but has incredible football speed during a game. He can play so many different positions, including defensive back and running back. The Bulldog coaches will undoubtedly be arguing over who gets this young man’s services. He also has the speed and quickness to provide an electrifying jolt in the kick return game. This young man shut down his recruitment in April, 2012 with his commitment to the Bulldogs, and has stayed true to this commitment since then. Like many of the other athletes in this class, Green is a true playmaker. Tramel Terry (6’0”, 190 lbs). Goose Creek High School, Goose Creek, South Carolina. Terry actually committed to the Bulldogs at the same time that classmate Brice Ramsey and current Bulldog John Theus did, but de-committed to look around a little bit. After he took a look at what was out there, he reaffirmed his commitment to the Bulldogs in November, 2012. The Goose Creek standout was ranked as one of the top five players in the State of South Carolina last year and had an electrifying senior season. Unfortunately, after Terry dominated practices before the Shrine Bowl, he injured his knee on the opening kick off. His surgery was successful and he enrolled early in Athens where he is currently on schedule with his rehab. Once Terry is released to come back to play, he will have a chance to earn playing time at wide receiver, running back and as a kick returner for the Bulldogs. This young man is the most electrifying playmaker out of all the playmakers in this class. He can do so many things with the ball in his hands, but Vance won’t give me the column space to go into all of them. Let’s just say when Terry comes back, he will make his presence know in Athens.

Quarterbacks Brice Ramsey (6’3”, 205 lbs). Camden County High School, Kingsland, Georgia. Although Ramsey played in the Wing T offense in Camden County, he made the most of his passing options. He has shown a good arm strength in camps and All-Star games. While it is likely he’ll redshirt his first year in Athens, he will have the benefit of learning under current Bulldog quarterback Aaron Murray. Ramsey enrolled early, giving himself even more time to work with Murray. This 4-star prospect figures heavily in the Bulldogs’ future plans at quarterback. Make no mistake about it, this class is extremely talented. While some Bulldog fans were upset at some of the 5-star prospects that got away at the end of the process, don’t overlook the talent in the 2013 class. This class fills a lot of needs for the Bulldogs and has great class separation with a sprinkling of Junior College and prep school prospects. The late addition of Toby Johnson should excite the Bulldog Nation. Learn these names because you will hear several of them over the PA system in Athens next year. As always, Go Dawgs!

A.J. Turman

Shaquille Wiggins

Reggie Wilkerson

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FAN OFF THE WEEK BERNIE B BURNETTE BURNNETTE from Lawrenceville, L Lawrence viille, GA Q: Other Otheer than thaan H Herschel, errscheel, w who h ho is your your ffavorite avoriite B Bulldog ulldog aand n nd w why? hy? y A: S Scott cott Woerner. Woerne r er. A Although lthouggh I grew grew up up in Athens, Ath heens, I was waas raised raaised in a Clemson Cllem mson household. household l . Dad Dad often oft fteen e took took me me to to their theeir games gaames when when e I was waas young you ung to to show sho how o off ff his his aalma llma mater. mateerr. B ut W oerrner si inglle-h handedly beat beat Clemson Cllemson in 1980, 19880, returning reettu urnin ng a punt pun nt 68 yards yaards for for a touchdown toucchd do own aand nd aan n in nteerrcception 98 yards yards to ya to set set up up another another e But Woerner single-handedly interception sscore. core. He’ He’s the the player player e I’ve I’ve looked looked up up to to the the longest lo onges e t as as a fan faan of of college co olllegge football. football. I love lo ove to to watch waatch my my dad dad d twitch twitch uncomfortably uncomffortably in his his seat seat when wheen I simply simply mention men ntion Woerner’ name. Number played with W oerrner’s n ame. N u um mber 19 1 p layed w ith sskill, kill, smarts smarts and and a ton ton of of heart. heart. Damn Damn m Good Good Dawg! Daw wg! Q: Who Who h is your your favorite favoriite player player on on the current cu urrrent UGA roster ros oster aand n w nd why? hyy? A: That’ That’s a h hard ard o one, ne, b but ut II’’d h have ave tto o ggo ow with ith Mi Michael chaeel B Bennett. en nneett. He He wasn’t waasn s ’t a he heralded eraallded recruit, recrru uiitt, so so hee didn’t d n’t step didn step e o onto nto Sa Sanford’ anf nford’s tturf urrf w with ith everyone ever e yone kknowing nowin ing hi hiss number n u um mber aalready lr lread dy and and an an inordinate inord dinate aamount moun nt o off exp expectations. ectatio i ns. But But he’ he’s proven proven e himself him mselfl time time and and time time again aggaaiin aass a p player layer e tthat hat ccan an b bee co counted un nted on, on, especially especially when when e you you ggotta otta have have ssome ome ya yards ards aand nd tthe he b balance alance of of the the game gaame iiss o on n tthe he lin line. ne. H Hee n never eveer sseems eems aafraid frraaiid tto om make ake tthe he ttough ouggh ccatch atch in ttraffic raaffi ffic and and clearly cllearly p puts uts t tthe he team’ team’s goals goals ahead ah heead off hi o hiss o own. wn n. When Wheen he he w went een nt do d down own to to a knee knee injury in njury early early last last season season it it devastated deevvaastated my my youngest you unges e t even eveen more more than than myself. myyselflf. W Word ord is is h he’ e’s rehabbing rehabbin i gp pretty reettty hard hard and and tthey’ll heyy’ll have haave tto o ttie ie him down do own this th his spring sprin ng tto o kkeep eep him off off the the practice pracctice i field. fieeld l . Love Love that th haat guy! gu uy! y Q: What Wha hat makes maakes k you you a true true Bulldog? Bulldog? A : I just just lo love ove ccheering heerriing the the Dawgs Daw wgs on. on. I have have since since I first firrst b became ecame a sstudent tuden u nt d during urriing Goff’s Goff ’ss fir first rst yyear. ear. IItt jjust ust ggets eets in yyour ou ur b blood, lo l od, aand nd b before effore yyou ou kknow now iitt yyou’re ou’re high-fiving hig gh h-fi fivvin i g your your kids kid ids when when en your your wife wif ife reads reads about about the the business bussin neess sschool chool ggetting eettin ing ra ranked anked as as one one of of the the best best in tthe he n nation, ation, o orr tthe he ttennis eennis tteam eam w winning iinning yyet eet aanother nother e ttitle, itle l, orr tthe o h hee baseball baseball team team makes makes e itit to to the the CWS. CW WS. S Of course courrse football football brings brin nggs o out ut tthe he b best est in my my spirit spirit and and m makes akes e tthe he bblood llood pump pum mp a little little l faster, faasteerr, b but ut II’ll ’ll take take any any and and every eveery opportunity o pportu uniity to to cheer cheer on on my my team team and and my my school. school. For For better bettter e or or worse. worse. Q: What Wha hat is the most mosst memorable meemo morable p play lay yyou ou ha have ave eexperienced xxperrien nced in p person? errson? A: Going Goiing to to cheat cheat a little littllee here. heerre. The The p play lay aagainst ggaaiinst SSouth outh C Carolina arolilin na in 2009 w where heerre B Branden rand nden Smith Smiitth h ttook ook iitt tto o tthe he house house wa was as o one ne o off tthe he ffew ew ttimes imes II’ve ’ve h heard eard aan n aaudible u udiible l aand nd co ccollective ollective gasp gaasp ffrom rom tthe he he 92,000 people people watching waatchin ng it. it. Heard Heard something sometth hin ng co comparable mpara rablle in 2008 2 in T Tempe em empe w when heen K Knowshon nows wshon w went een nt aairborn iirborn ffor or tthe he ttouchdown. oucchdo down. nB But ut II’’d h have ave to to say say the the most most m memorable emora rable le wa was as tthe he 2004 sslant lant rroute oute ffrom rro om David David Greene Green ne to Fred Frred Gi Gibson bson tto oh help elp bbeat eat Flo Florida. orida. IIt’t’d b been een a w while h hile since sin nce c w we’ e’ ed ed w won on tthat hat o one ne in 1997 aand nd tthat hat wa was as p pretty reettty d darn arn sspecial pecial as as a Dawg Daw wg fan. faan. n Sucks Succkks to to be be a gator! gaator! Q: Which Whi h ch one one of of our our rivals rivvaalls do do you you enjoy enjjo oy beating beating the most? mosst? t A: That’ That’s eeasy, asyy, Flo Florida. rid i a. It’ It’s happened happen ned so so rarely raarely during durriin ng my my tenure ten nu urre as as a fan, faan n, but but beating beatiin ng them th heem is is just just ssheer heer jjoy oy in its its purest purreest fform orm for for a Georgia Georgia Bulldog Bulldog l fan. faan n. We We invest in nveest so so much muc uch into in nto the the WLOCP WLOCP emoemottionally, ionally, financially fin nancially and and in n terms ter erms of of time. time. It It just just makes makees all all of of that that expense expen nse worth worth itit to to be be able able l to to celebrate ceele lebra rate a win win i over over e the the hated hated gators. gaators. With With all all due due respect res e pect to to E Erk rrk Russell, Russ u ell, a Saturday Saaturrday night nigght in Athens Athen ens aafter ft fteer a w in i is is p reettty awesome. awes e ome. But But there ther ere iiss N OTHING lilike ke a Saturday Saatur urday night nigght aafter ft fteer a w in i in Jacksonville! Jacckksonville! Or on on St. St. Simons Simons Island! Island! win pretty NOTHING win Q: What Wha hat makes maakes k your your u tailgating taaiilggatin i g sscene cen ne sso o sspecial? peccial? l A: Like Like most mo ost o others, ther erss, iit’t’s jjust ust a mixt mixture tu urre ooff ggood ood ffood, ood, ggood ood m music, ussic, ggood ood dr drinks in nkks and and great great friends. friends. s And And llately ately it’ it’s nice to to share share that that experience exp perriience with with the th hee kids kiids as as they they get geet older. old lderr. Athens Atheens holds holld ds a special special place p lace in m myy h heart, eart, aalways lwa wayyss w will. ill. And And the th hee UGA campus campus is is central cen ntra ral to to that. that.t Simply Sim mply put, put,t it’ it’s home. home. Those Tho Those gu guys uys y aand nd ttheir heir e fa families ami millies are are a part part of of my my Dawg Daw wg family. faami mily. Gameday Gaameday in Athens Atheens iiss aalways lw waayys a ggreat reat d day ay in m fe. A lw waayys. myy lif life. Always.

W WeAreBulld dawgs.co om WeAreBulldawgs.com

MEET THE AUTHOR BOB KNIGHT March 7, 2013 | 3-5 pm Don’t miss your chance to meet Bob Knight and get your signed copy of his book The Power Of Negative Thinking.

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Bulldawg Illustrated

Signing Day Athens

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Larry Quidley and Cole Quidley

Brett Hill, Con Talton and Scott Hill

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13

“He’s always been into cooking, believe or not” Parents names:

Jay and Kerri Cardiello.

Josh Cardiello

The Georgia Bulldogs can never have enough good offensive linemen and that’s why the coaching staff was happy to include Josh Cardiello in the 2013 signing class. The 6-3, 283-pound Cardiello, who’s already enrolled in school and has gone through the infamous mat drills leading into next month’s spring practice, was rated both a four-star and three-star prospect by the different recruiting services. Ranked as high as the No. 5 center in the country, the Buford High standout was a first-team All-State performer and was named a PrepStar All-Southeast Region player while helping Buford to three straight GHSA state championship games, winning the title in 2010 and 2012. He also played on the defensive line for Coach Jess Simpson. In this question-and-answer session with Bulldawg Illustrated, Kerri Cardiello provides the Bulldog Nation with an inside look at her son.

Siblings’ names and ages:

Jacob, 14. What Georgia coach did you have the most contact with during Josh’s recruiting process and what did you like most about that coach?

It was Coach McClendon. He was just very down to earth and told us about his experience at the University of Georgia. He’s just a good guy and gave us a good overview of the whole university, the athletics, the academics and everything else in between. In the end, why do you think Josh chose Georgia?

I think Georgia was definitely the right choice for him and I’m glad he’s close to home, to be honest with you. I think it’s just a phenomenal program and I think Josh is blessed to have been given this opportunity.

Can you tell the Bulldog Nation a few unique things about him outside of football?

Josh likes to play golf. He’s always been into cooking, believe it or not. As a pre-schooler his favorite show was on Food Network. He always had a passion for basketball and skate boarding. Those are the things that stick out in my head. Does he have any classic childhood stories worth noting?

I really can’t think of anything off hand but Josh has always been a showman. He’ll put on a show for you, a little comedy act. He went through a magic phase, where he was doing magic tricks. He just always wants to be in the limelight. What was his favorite TV show or TV character?

When he was a pre-schooler, he was addicted to Barney but I think he would kill me if I said that. Josh went through different stages. He liked Barney when he was little and he liked the Disney stuff but I really can’t think of just one. What is the nicest thing he's ever done for you?

In your mind, what is the best play he made during his high school playing days?

I don’t know that one game stands out more than another because he had so many great games. An out-of -character game for a lineman that sticks out was when he got an interception against Gainesville High School and almost scored a touchdown. I had put my camera down for one moment and was talking to somebody and I look up and see this big old guy running down the field and I’m like, “that’s Josh!” He was playing defensive tackle at the time.

Josh has a great heart. I guess the one time recently over the last couple of years was when the offensive linemen wrote letters to all the moms for Mother’s Day and he wrote something really sweet to me. That was during his junior year. For Mother’s Day they made like a homemade card and he wrote a real nice thing to me. Finally, why do you think Josh will excel at Georgia?

When that boy sets his mind to something, he usually masters whatever it is. He’s been like that from day one. He’s persistent and works hard. Just pretty much whatever he puts his mind to, he usually succeeds in that. Josh has a lot of inner drive.

“He was very buffed from the time he was 2 year old” Parents names:

Pat and Maggie Douglas.

Brendan Douglas

Brendan Douglas was almost a Yellow Jacket but he’s most happy now that he was able to become a Georgia Bulldog on 2013’s National Signing Day. Douglas, who first committed to Georgia Tech, is a solid football player out of Augusta’s Aquinas High who was ranked as high as the No. 4 fullback nationally. A three-star prospect, the 6-0, 217pound Douglas was a first team Class A all-state selection who rushed for 1,424 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior at Aquinas and that followed a junior season where he ran for 1,569 yards and 27 touchdowns while also shining at linebacker. In this question-andanswer with Bulldawg Illustrated, Maggie Douglas provides a special insight into her son.

14

Siblings’ names and ages:

Mary, 26; Maggie, 25; John, 23; Patrick, 21; Dennis, 20; Brigid, 16; Joseph, 14; Kevin, 8. What Georgia coach did you have the most contact with during Brendan’s recruiting process and what did you like most about that coach?

It was Coach Kirk Olivadotti. We called him “Coach O.” He was just a really caring kind of person and just real simple and pleasant and thoughtful of all of us in the whole process. In the end, why do you think Brendan chose Georgia?

Well, I think from the time he was a little boy he always envisioned going to Georgia. I think every little boy in Georgia does, probably. He just always envisioned playing football at Georgia, a dream he had.

Does he have any classic childhood stories worth noting?

Brendan was always our curly-headed cherub. We always thought he looked like a sweet little angel. He was very buffed from the time he was 2 years old. He wasn’t fat but he just always looked strong from the time he was a very little toddler. And with us, with so many boys and girls running around, we just loved to see them wrestle around. All the boys were rambunctious just like boys are and they all played together so well. There’s really nothing other than Brendan was always sweet and good natured as a young boy. He wasn’t obnoxious or loud and was actually pretty quiet. He just enjoyed his brothers a lot and they were real close. What was his favorite TV show or TV character?

He always watched Sports Center. We don’t watch TV, we don’t allow it during the week at home and so we weren’t one to watch a lot of sitcoms and whatnot. What is the nicest thing he's ever done for you?

In your mind, what is the best play he made during his high school playing days?

I would say it was against First Presbyterian, at their place. There were like 10 seconds before the half and we were near our own end zone and had a whole field to go. We just thought they would kneel the ball or whatever but Brendan got the ball on a handoff and I saw this crowd (of defenders) and I was ready to just sit back and wait for halftime and I then saw him come out of the crowd and go 90 yards for a touchdown. Can you tell the Bulldog Nation a few unique things about him outside of football?

We have six boys and among all our boys, Brendan is just so disciplined and he is so focused on football. For a while, it was baseball and football. He would stay and practice until 8 o’clock at night, he would lift weights and he just had this determination in his eyes. He seems to really want to do well and he would just keep doing something until he got it right. It’s just always mainly been sports for him and I hate to say we’re so unbalanced in that way, where that’s his main focus. But we always encourage him to put God first in everything and I think he does that, but as far as hobbies and whatnot, that’s pretty much his hobby. He just loves it so and really enjoys it.

Brendan has always been an affectionate child and likes hugs. He likes to be around me. He would come in and lay on the bed when I’m getting ready to go to bed and talk. He’s just a good communicator as far as that goes and enjoys our company. And I always treasured those times when he would come and lay down and talk to me in the evening because the days are so busy with so many things. To have that individual time with him was very special. Finally, why do you think Brendan will excel at Georgia?

I think he’s going to be around a lot of people at Georgia that he loves and who love him, from Augusta. And family will be close, we’re not going to be too far away from him and we can participate in his football career. I just think he’s surrounded by a lot of people that support him and that means a lot to him because he’s a person that loves to be around people. I think he’ll be happy. The coaches seem great; they are like regular parents who have children of their own so I think they’ll embrace Brendan. I know it will be hard. I know they’re going to push him and yell at him and all that and he knows that because of his brother’s experience at Auburn and Georgia Southern. We were shocked in the beginning with our older son (John) going through it but I think we’re all prepared this time.

Bulldawg Illustrated

“He’s like a walking world history trivia person” Guardians’ names:

J.J. Green

Maxine Green (grandmother); Tracolya Green (aunt). Siblings’ names and ages:

Breona Green, 19. What Georgia coach did you have the most contact with during J.J.’s recruiting process and what did you like most about that coach?

J.J. Green has already joined his Camden County teammate Brice Ramsey in Athens. And when the Bulldogs landed Green on National Signing Day Feb. 6, they got a football player who is most explosive on both sides of the ball and also on kick returns. The 5-8, 171-pound Green was rated a three-star player and the No. 50-ranked athlete in the country by one recruiting service. A first-team Class AAAAAA allstate selection, Green was also named to the PrepStar All-Southeast Region team. In his senior season with the Wildcats, Green rushed for 919 yards and 16 total touchdowns, with several long kickoff returns for scores, while also recording 39 tackles, three interceptions and one sack from his cornerback position on defense. He helped lead Camden to the quarterfinals of the Class 6A state playoffs where the Wildcats lost to eventual state champion Norcross. Green was named the Region 1-AAAAAA Player of the Year this past season. In this question-and-answer with Bulldawg Illustrated Tracolya Green, J.J.’s aunt, gives Georgia fans a special insight into the player who could make an immediate impact with the Bulldogs this fall.

It was Coach Tony Ball. He’s very approachable and has very good interpersonal skills. He was relatable.

It’ll be interesting to see how he adjusts to adulthood, having to do things on his own because he’s definitely grandma’s baby boy. Of course, he’s just always been into sports. He started playing baseball before he ever started playing football. And I think the most unique thing about J.J. is he’s like a walking world history trivia person. He can chronologically name almost every major world event … key people, key location, key battles, key wars. If I had let him, he would have majored in history but I didn’t feel like that would open up doors for him.

In the end, why do you think J.J. chose Georgia?

Does he have any classic childhood stories worth noting?

It was because Georgia’s offense is different. He didn’t want to be in a Wing-T style offense any longer. He wanted to be a part of a more pro style-type offense. And Athens is more like Camden. It’s very rural and football is the main show. It’s not too busy and that’s him – J. J. is a country boy.

The story that I remember is when J.J. decided to give his life to Christ. He was 12 at the time. He said to me he wanted to be saved and put God first.

What was his favorite TV show or TV character?

He’s just always been into the History Channel and he’s obsessed with World War II. In your mind, what is the best play he made during his high school playing days?

I would say in the Miami Central game when he was a freshman, a kickoff return for nearly 100 yards. I remember that one because we were going back and forth with Miami. It was a close game, probably one of the best I watched his entire four years. And he also had a long one against Valdosta this year; that was a big one. Also, he had the big interception against Colquitt County (in playoffs junior year) that they called an incomplete pass. Can you tell the Bulldog Nation a few unique things about him outside of football?

He’s an avid video game player. He doesn’t know how to do anything around the house (laughing).

What is the nicest thing he's ever done for you?

It was when he asked me could I legally have my name put on his birth certificate. He did that when he was 15 years old and that was probably the nicest gesture. It meant a lot to me.

Finally, why do you think J.J. will excel at Georgia?

I think he will excel because, for one, he has God-given talent. And I know he works hard to be elite. He puts in the time and the effort. He studies the game, he works when everybody else isn’t and he asks a lot of questions. J.J. is also very respectful and is a very coachable kid.

“He took his birthday money and gave me a gift ...” Parents names:

Kenneth and Laronda Johnson.

Kennar Johnson

Siblings’ names and ages:

Nikki, 28; Kenneth, Jr., 26; Shteria, 25; Kentwan, 18; Kenton, 16; Kenyon, 14; Kenniya, 13; Kenan, 11; Kenneil, 6. What Georgia coach did you have the most contact with during Kennar’s recruiting process and what did you like most about that coach?

With stalwarts such as Bacarri Rambo, Shawn Williams, Sanders Commings and Branden Smith having played their last game at Georgia, the Bulldogs will need immediate help in the secondary this coming season and that’s why junior college transfer Kennar Johnson could make an early contribution in 2012. Johnson is rated a three-star prospect who performed at Gulf Coast (Miss.) Community College last season. The No. 10ranked Juco cornerback, he recorded 34 tackles and three pass break-ups. As a senior at East Ridge High in Florida, Johnson recorded 92 tackles, five interceptions, three forced fumbles, eight pass breakups and one defensive touchdown. He played as a freshman in college at Reedley College in California before transferring to Gulf Coast. In this question-and-answer with Bulldawg Illustrated, Laronda Johnson provides a special insight into her son. www.bulldawgillustrated.com

It was Coach Scott Lakatos. He just seemed to be so very natural and up front. He didn’t seem like he was putting on any special airs or anything. In the end, why do you think Kennar chose Georgia?

I believe Georgia was a perfect fit for Kennar. Starting with Coach Richt, they jelled like, I want to say, peanut butter and jelly. Kennar really took to Coach Richt. He was relaxed around him and he could be himself. It kind of reminded me of the relationship he had with his high school coach. In your mind, what is the best play he made during his high school playing days?

In his senior year of high school, he had a picksix. And I didn’t really realize that I was running up in the bleachers along with him. I was running until I got clean to the end of the bleachers and realized I was about to fall off. I was just so excited. Can you tell the Bulldog Nation a few unique things about him outside of football?

Kennar seems naturally to be a person that people gravitate to. He’s a people’s person. He’s also a Christian, we’re a Christian-based family. He just loves on people. If I can be a second mom or give advice, he’s always one to bring friends over and we pray with them or whatever. If Kennar believes in someone or something, he’s going to go the extra mile for it.

Does he have any classic childhood stories worth noting?

Like I say, he was a people’s person from the very beginning and Kennar actually talked very early. He talked between 10-and-a-half and 11 months and he actually conversed. It would be with myself and he also had a distant cousin he was very close with. They had their first big birthday party together, they would always be very chatty and interact with each other very well. When he and his mom would be in the car with us, going to do a chore or shopping, we would turn around and they (the cousins) would be outtalking us, engrossed in a conversation.

What was his favorite TV show or TV character?

I know everybody’s familiar with Barney. His first birthday party was Barney, we had the Barney characters there and everything.

What is the nicest thing he's ever done for you?

Just this past Christmas, I wasn’t looking for anything from him. But he has a birthday that also comes in December as well and he took his birthday money and gave me a gift, the Pandora’s bracelet, for Christmas. He wants to start a tradition with the kids and the family so he decided to start it off with the bracelet. And it’s very sentimental because it tells a story.

Finally, why do you think Kennar will excel at Georgia?

Kennar’s model as well as mine is, you have to want it to win it. And I know he wants to win badly and he believes in Georgia. I know that’s why I believe he will excel, both academically and athletically. He’s actually a go-getter. He came out of junior college a year early – he was supposed to be there for two years.

15

“He has wanted to go to Georgia since he was a little boy ” Parents names:

Carlos and Sonya Matthews.

Tray Matthews

Siblings’ names and ages:

Thaddeus, 23; Ayana, 16.

What Georgia coach did you have the most contact with during Tray’s recruiting process and what did you like most about that coach?

Tray Matthews is arguably the toprated recruit in Georgia’s 2013 signing class. The 6-0, 194-pound defensive back from Newnan High School is a four-star prospect who was ranked as high as the No. 7 safety in the nation by one recruiting service. Matthews, already enrolled in classes at UGA and set to go through spring practice next month, is expected to immediately contend for a starting spot in the Bulldogs’ secondary. A PrepStar Dream Team 150 selection, Matthews of course was a first-team all-state performer who recorded 51 tackles, had 528 yards receiving and 42 yards rushing in his senior season at Newnan. He participated in this year’s Army All-American Bowl game. In this question-andanswer with Bulldawg Illustrated, Sonya Matthews provides Georgia fans with an in-depth look at her son.

That would be John Lilly and he’s just a great coach, a great recruiter. He made us feel like family; he related to us very well and is just a very kind and very open man.

Can you tell the Bulldog Nation a few unique things about him outside of football?

Tray off the field loves to play with animals. He’s an animal lover and would pick up a stray animal and bring it home. And he just loves to be silly. Other than that, he likes to do the typical teenage things but he loves to spend time with the family. We’re a very close family.

Does he have any classic childhood stories worth noting?

One thing he did was he took one of my husband’s grandmother’s kittens and kept it in his closet for a whole week before I knew it was there. He was getting the food from my husband’s grandmother and I guess she thought that we thought it was OK for him to have a kitten, but we did not. He was about nine at the time.

In the end, why do you think Tray chose Georgia?

Georgia is where Tray’s heart was. He has wanted to go to Georgia since he was a little boy. But of course once they get older and they start hearing about this school and that school, it will spark their interest but I think him just wanting to be a part of the Bulldog Nation from when he was a little boy, that did it.

In your mind, what is the best play he made during his high school playing days?

There were quite a few of them. But I can tell you the most memorable one from this past year was his first touchdown against Marietta as a quarterback. And in his sophomore year he knocked one of the little guys out and his helmet flew off. It took the little boy a while to get up and that kind of scared me a little bit.

What was his favorite TV show or TV character?

He did like Sponge Bob but one of his favorite TV shows growing up was The Dragon Tales. He just would watch that over and over again.

What is the nicest thing he's ever done for you?

I don’t think it was a special occasion but once he brought a flower and put it behind my ear. He was 14 or 15 at the time and I think he actually got it out of the yard. It meant a whole lot to me, like he spent a million dollars on it.

Finally, why do you think Tray will excel at Georgia?

Tray’s a go-getter and I think with his character and his knack of trying to accomplish and being so competitive, I think he will excel at anything he puts his mind to … he loves to compete.

“Brice took care of me after I was in a serious car wreck ...” Parents names: Jason and Yolanda Ramsey.

Brice Ramsey

Siblings’ names and ages: Morgan, 15.

What Georgia coach did you have the most contact with during Brice’s recruiting process and what did you like most about that coach?

Brice Ramsey unquestionably appears to be Georgia’s starting quarterback of the future. Although guiding Jeff Herron’s Wing-T attack at Camden County, the 6-3, 200-pound Ramsey has won numerous passing competitions the past three years. Already enrolled at UGA and set to go through spring practice in March, Ramsey was an all-state selection and also was named a PrepStar All-America. A four-star recruit, Ramsey was rated as the No. 7 prep quarterback in the country by several recruiting services. During his senior season with the Wildcats, Ramsey passed for 1,396 yards and 19 touchdowns while throwing only three interceptions. He was also an exceptional punter and placekicker, sending most of his kickoffs out of the end zone. Ramsey also played in the Under Armour All-American Game. In this question-and-answer with Bulldawg Illustrated Yolanda Ramsey gives Georgia fans a special insight into her son.

16

It was Coach Bobo. Coach Bobo is a down-toearth coach and he’s a straight shooter and you can just trust him.

In the end, why do you think Brice chose Georgia?

There was no end. I always told Brice that once he committed that was it, that he would be a man of his word and that his character would long be remembered more than any touchdown he ever threw on the field.

In your mind, what is the best play he made during his high school playing days?

I can’t remember what play it was but it was when he broke the career touchdown record at Camden, passing touchdown record. It would be between that play and the 57-yard field goal he kicked.

Can you tell the Bulldog Nation a few unique things about him outside of football?

Brice loves to play golf, he loves to fish and he loves to go to the beach. And he also loves to sleep. He’s an outdoor kid but he’s a homebody.

On a Friday night, even after a game, Brice would go get something to eat and come home. On Saturday night, he was home. He’s just very family oriented. Does he have any classic childhood stories worth noting?

This is a hard one. In kindergarten, you know the old-fashioned bowl cut … circular and cut shorter on the back. Brice always had to have his bangs parted and he used to call it the teepee. He wanted his hair, his bangs to look like a teepee. He’d fix it like it should look like and then he’d have to go back and stick some gel in there to make it look like a teepee

What was his favorite TV show or TV character?

As a baby, it was definitely Barney.

What is the nicest thing he's ever done for you?

Brice took care of me after I was in a serious car wreck, when my face was destroyed. Brice was 13 at the time. He helped me right after the accident and then six months later I had to have my face reconstructed. Brice helped me through that entire process, which was a solid six weeks.

Finally, why do you think Brice will excel at Georgia?

I would hope that Brice could reach his potential, everything he wants in his dreams. But at the end of the day Brice is in control of what he will accomplish. I believe Brice can accomplish anything he wants and I know in his mind he can but now, mom and dad can no longer help – he’s in control of his own destiny.

Bulldawg Illustrated

JD’s early Top 10 The mighty Southeastern Conference has produced seven consecutive national champions, with three of the last four won by Alabama. The league is loaded again. Oregon and Ohio State figure to be the top two challengers to the SEC’s throne. Spring practice will soon be starting around the country and every coach out there wants to be as settled as possible by the time the newcomers arrive in summer. Don’t be surprised if by season’s end, there is a significant coaching shake-up and trickle down at a pair of premier programs.

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1. Alabama – The Crimson Tide can make history under Nick Saban’s watch. No school has ever won three consecutive national championships, but Bama is favored to do just that. Winning three of the last four at the height of Southeastern Conference dominance is astounding. The biggest question mark will be how much the O-Line drops off. 2. Oregon – Quick, name the Ducks new head coach. Ok, I had to look it up too, Mark Helfrich. Rich Brooks put the Ducks on the map. Mike Belotti was an upgrade and made them nationally relevant. Chip Kelly twie had the Ducks finish No. 2 in the nation. Kelly left for the Eagles, and they stayed in-house. There is tremendous talent back and this hard to defend scheme. 3. Ohio State – If Ohio State had decided to take the postseason ban the year prior, the Buckeyes would’ve played Notre Dame for the national title. Urban Meyer could lap the field in the Big Ten. The league is way down, he’s the best coach and the Buckeyes have the best program. Braxton Miller had a big year in 2012 and could light it up the Big Ten in 2013 again. 4. Texas A&M – Johnny Manziel was a phenom as a redshirt freshman, winning the Heisman and leading the Aggies to an 11-2 record. Kevin Sumlin is a perfect fit at the Aggie helm. They lose tremendous talent on the line of scrimmage, and of course the schedule is tough. But the Aggies were downright dynamic on offense in the second half of last year. And they are hot. 5. Clemson – Clemson started the year with a Georgia Dome victory over Auburn, and ended it with the biggest win of the Dabo Swinney era, downing ultra-talented LSU 24-22 in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. The Tigers host Georgia in a mega-showdown to kick off the 2013 campaign. A win puts them right in the national title picture.

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7. Georgia – The Bulldogs were oh so close to playing for the whole thing a year ago and are hungry to be back in the fight. The offense should be even better in 2013. But a defense that was often underwhelming must be rebuilt, and placekicking has been too shaky the last two years. The schedule is much tougher, with Clemson and the Gamecocks out of the gate. 8. South Carolina – Steve Spurrier is one of the best ever. 11-2 at South Carolina in back-to-back seasons is incredible, but they you factor in how many of those wins came with the magnificent Marcus Lattimore sidelined, it makes it even more impressive. JaDaveon Clowney is cut from the mold of Lawrence Taylor and Bruce Smith.

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9. LSU – Les Miles is entering his ninth season at the helm in Baton Rouge and has led LSU to at least 11 wins five times. Last season, the Tigers lost by eight, four and two. They lose a lot, but like Bama, recruit great every year and reload. LSU has tremendous depth at tailback. They go to Georgia and host Florida out of the East. Bama gets Kentucky and Tennessee. 10. Oklahoma – Bob Stoops has worked wonders in Norman. The Sooners have played for the national title four times and won eight Big 12 crowns in the 2000s. No other school has won more than two. Oklahoma may look to get back to the ground more. Landry Jones is gone, but had some shaky performances in big games.

On the edge/darkhorses A couple of these teams will be in a bunch of preseason top tens. A couple of others have the potential to surprise and have stellar seasons. Florida – Had the Gators not been hit so hard with defensive losses to the NFL, they may be No. 2 or No. 3. The defense should still be very good and the offense figures to be much better. Their biggest loss may be star kicker Caleb Sturgis. The Gators pulled in a stellar recruiting class that should deliver some instant impact help. Florida State – Jimbo Fisher has the Seminoles reinvigorated. Last season was a golden opportunity to play for the whole thing, but they were upset by N.C. State and got dominated in the second half by the Gators. Florida State has to go to Clemson this season and that’s the game that will put one into the driver’s seat in the ACC and possibly in the midst of the national title race. Washington – The Huskies are the up-and-comer in the PAC-12. They beat Stanford last year, and Steve Sarkisian has high expectations for a continued surge. The problem is, the PAC-12 North is far and away the stronger division in the league. Washington was once a giant in college football. They have a revamped stadium and could be on the verge of another jump.

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ĹšŽžÄžÍ˜ĹľÄ‚ĚĞ Ä?Ä‚ĆšÄžĆŒĹ?ĹśĹ? ĹšŽžÄžÍ˜ĹľÄ‚ĚĞ Ä?Ä‚ĆšÄžĆŒĹ?ĹśĹ? <ÄžÄ?Ä‚ ^ƉĹ?ĆžĹ?ĆŒÄž 'ĆŒĹ?ĹŻĹŻ <ÄžÄ?Ä‚ ^ƉĹ?ĆžĹ?ĆŒÄž 'ĆŒĹ?ĹŻĹŻ <ƾžĆ‹ĆľÄ‚Ćš DÄ‚Äž Ä‚ĹŹÄžĆŒÇ‡ Ä‚ĨÄž <ƾžĆ‹ĆľÄ‚Ćš DÄ‚Äž Ä‚ĹŹÄžĆŒÇ‡ Ä‚ĨÄž >Ä‚ ŽůÄ?Äž sĹ?ƚĂ >Ä‚ ŽůÄ?Äž sĹ?ƚĂ >Ä‚Ć?Ćš ZÄžĆ?Ĺ˝ĆŒĆš 'ĆŒĹ?ĹŻĹŻ >Ä‚Ć?Ćš ZÄžĆ?Ĺ˝ĆŒĆš 'ĆŒĹ?ĹŻĹŻ >Ĺ˝Ä?Ĺ˝Ć? 'ĆŒĹ?ĹŻĹŻ Θ WĆľÄ? >Ĺ˝Ä?Ĺ˝Ć? 'ĆŒĹ?ĹŻĹŻ Θ WĆľÄ? EKE WÄ‚ƾůĞLJΖĆ? KĆŒĹ?Ĺ?Ĺ?ŜĂů ĆŒÄžĆ‰Äž Ä‚ĆŒ WÄ‚ƾůĞLJΖĆ? KĆŒĹ?Ĺ?Ĺ?ŜĂů ĆŒÄžĆ‰Äž Ä‚ĆŒ WĹ˝ĆŒĆšÄžĆŒĹšŽƾĆ?Äž 'ĆŒĹ?ĹŻĹŻ WĹ˝ĆŒĆšÄžĆŒĹšŽƾĆ?Äž 'ĆŒĹ?ĹŻĹŻ WƾůÄ‚Ć?ĹŹĹ? ,ÄžĹ?Ĺ?ŚƚĆ? Y WƾůÄ‚Ć?ĹŹĹ? ,ÄžĹ?Ĺ?ŚƚĆ? Y ĆšĆ? Y ^ĂǀĂŜŜÄ‚Ĺš ZŽŽž ^ĂǀĂŜŜÄ‚Ĺš ZŽŽž ^Ĺ?ĹŻÇ€ÄžĆŒ >Ĺ?ĹśĹ?ĹśĹ? ƾƉÄ?Ä‚ĹŹÄž ŽžĆ‰Ä‚ŜLJ ^Ĺ?ĹŻÇ€ÄžĆŒ >Ĺ?ĹśĹ?ĹśĹ? ƾƉÄ?Ä‚ĹŹÄž ŽžĆ‰Ä‚ŜLJ ^Ć‹ĆľÄ‚ĆŒÄž KŜĞ &Ĺ?Ć?Ĺš ŽžĆ‰Ä‚ŜLJ ^Ć‹ĆľÄ‚ĆŒÄž KŜĞ &Ĺ?Ć?Ĺš ŽžĆ‰Ä‚ŜLJ dÄ‚Ć?ƚĞ ŽĨ /ŜĚĹ?Ä‚ dÄ‚Ć?ƚĞ ŽĨ /ŜĚĹ?Ä‚ dĞĚΖĆ? DĹ˝Ć?Ćš ÄžĆ?Ćš dĞĞĚΖĆ? DĹ˝Ć?Ćš ÄžĆ?Ćš dŚĂĹ? ^ƉŽŽŜ dŚĂĹ? ^ƉŽŽŜ dŚĞ ĆŒÄ‚ĹśÄšÄžÄš ƾƚÄ?ĹšÄžĆŒ dŚĞ ĆŒÄ‚ĹśÄšÄžÄš ƾƚÄ?ĹšÄžĆŒ dŚĞ ĂƉĹ?ƚĂů ZŽŽž dŚĞ ĂƉĹ?ƚĂů ZŽŽž dŚĞ &ŽƾŜÄšĆŒÇ‡ WÄ‚ĆŒĹŹ /ŜŜ Θ ^ƉĂ Ͳ dŚĞ &ŽƾŜÄšĆŒÇ‡ WÄ‚ĆŒĹŹ /ŜŜ Θ ^ƉĂ Ͳ DĞůĆ&#x;ĹśĹ? WĹ˝Ĺ?Ŝƚ Θ ,ŽLJƚ ,ŽƾĆ?Äž DĞůĆ&#x;ĹśĹ? WĹ˝Ĺ?Ŝƚ Θ ,ŽLJƚ ,ŽƾĆ?Äž dŚĞ 'ÄžĹ˝ĆŒĹ?Ĺ?Ä‚ ĹŻĆľÄ? dŚĞ 'ÄžĹ˝ĆŒĹ?Ĺ?Ä‚ ĹŻĆľÄ? dŚĞ 'ĆŒĹ?ĹŻĹŻ dŚĞ 'ĆŒĹ?ĹŻĹŻ

Ole Miss – Arguably the most improved team in college football a year ago, Ole Miss went 7-6 and came mighty close to beating the Aggies and LSU. Hugh Freeze, Bo Wallace and their best recruiting class since the 1960’s has The Grove revelers beaming with pride. The schedule is again brutal, but the Burgundy Room and CityGrocery still figure to have plenty of celebratory occasions.

— Jeff Dantzler

BEVERAGE BEVERA V GE SPONSOR SPONSORSS ƚůĂŜƚĂ tĹšŽůÄžĆ?Ä‚ĹŻÄž tĹ?ŜĞ ƚůĂŜ Ä‚ ƚĂ tĹšŽůÄžĆ?Ä‚ĹŻÄž tĹ?ŜĞ Ä‚ĆŒÄžĨŽŽĆš tĹ?ŜĞ Θ ĆľÄ?Ä?ůLJ Ä‚ĆŒĆŒÄžĨŽ ŽŽĆš tĹ?ŜĞ Θ ĆľÄ?Ä?ůLJ ŽŜ ^ÄžÄ?Ä‚Ć?Ć&#x;Ä‚ĹśĹ? ĂŜĚ ^ŽŜĆ? ŽŜ ^ÄžÄ?Ä‚Ć?Ć&#x;Ä‚ĹśĹ? ĂŜĚ ^ŽŜĆ? 'ÄžĹśÄžĆŒÄ‚ĹŻ tĹšŽůÄžĆ?Ä‚ĹŻÄž ŽžĆ‰Ä‚ŜLJ 'ÄžĹśÄžĆŒÄ‚ĹŻ tĹšŽůÄžĆ?Ä‚ĹŻÄž ŽžĆ‰Ä‚ŜLJ 'Ĺ?ĆŒůĨĆŒĹ?ĞŜĚĆ? tĹ?ŜĞ 'Ĺ?ĆŒůĨĆŒĹ?ĞŜĚĆ? tĹ?ŜĞ :Ĺ?ĆŠÄžĆŒÇ‡ :ŽĞ͛Ć? ŽčĞĞ :Ĺ?ĆŠÄžĆŒÇ‡ :ŽĞ͛Ć? ŽčĞĞ >ÄžŽŜ &Ä‚ĆŒĹľÄžĆŒ ĂŜĚ ŽžĆ‰Ä‚ŜLJ >ĞŽ ŽŜ &Ä‚ĆŒĹľÄžĆŒ ĂŜĚ ŽžĆ‰Ä‚ŜLJ EÄ‚Ć&#x;ŽŜÄ‚ĹŻ Ĺ?Ć?ĆšĆŒĹ?Ä?ĆľĆ&#x;ĹśĹ? ŽžĆ‰Ä‚ŜLJ EÄ‚Ć&#x;ŽŜÄ‚ Ć&#x; ĹŻ Ĺ?Ć?ĆšĆŒĹ?Ä?ĆľĆ&#x;ĹśĹ? ŽžĆ‰Ä‚ŜLJ EĹ˝ĆŒĆšĹšÄžÄ‚Ć?Ćš ^Ä‚ĹŻÄžĆ? Ĺ?Ć?ĆšĆŒĹ?Ä?ĆľĆ&#x;ĹśĹ? /ĹśÄ? EĹ˝ĆŒĆšĹšÄžÄ‚Ć?Ćš ^Ä‚ĹŻÄžĆ? Ĺ?Ć?ĆšĆŒĹ?Ä?ĆľĆ&#x;ĹśĹ? /ĹśÄ? KƉĹ?Ä?Ĺ? tĹ?ŜĞĆ? KƉĹ?Ä?Ĺ? tĹ?ŜĞĆ? dÄžĆŒĆŒÄ‚Ć‰Ĺ?Ĺś ÄžÄžĆŒ ŽžĆ‰Ä‚ŜLJ dÄžÄžĆŒĆŒĆŒÄ‚Ć‰Ĺ?Ĺś ÄžÄžĆŒ ŽžĆ‰Ä‚ŜLJ tÄ‚ĆšÄžĆŒĹľÄ‚Ĺś ^Ć‰ĆŒĹ?ĹśĹ? tÄ‚ĆšÄžĆŒ tÄ‚ĆšÄžĆŒĹľÄ‚Ĺś ^Ć‰ĆŒĹ?ĹśĹ? tÄ‚ĆšÄžĆŒ

TTASTE A ASTEE WEEKEND 2013 SPONSORS PRESENTED PRE SENTED B BY Y

Oklahoma State – The Cowboys dipped some last year, but that was to be expected with all the skill talent lost from their great 2011 team that finished No. 3. They could be the best team in the Big 12 in 2013, though. They absolutely dusted Purdue in Dallas on New Year’s Day to help get some momentum rolling. T. Boone Pickens incredible gift is the best thing ever to happen in Stillwater athletics.

dŚĞ 'ĆŒĹ?Ćš dŚĞĞ 'ĆŒĹ?Ćš dŚĞ ZŽLJĂů WĞĂĆ?ĂŜƚ dŚĞĞ ZŽLJĂů WĞĂĆ?ĂŜƚ dĆŒÄ‚Ć‰Ć‰ÄžÇŒÄž WĆľÄ? Θ ,Ĺ?Ĺ?ĹšÇ Ĺ?ĆŒÄž >ŽƾŜĹ?Äž dĆŒÄ‚Ć‰Ć‰ÄžÇŒÄž WĆľÄ? Θ ,Ĺ?Ĺ?ĹšÇ Ĺ?ĆŒÄž >ŽƾŜĹ?Äž dĆŒƾžĆ‰Ć? Ä‚ĆšÄžĆŒĹ?ĹśĹ? dĆŒƾžĆ‰ Ćľ Ć? Ä‚ĆšÄžĆŒĹ?ĹśĹ? sĹ?ǀĂ͊ ĆŒĹ?ĞŜĆ&#x;ŜĞ ĆľĹ?Ć?Ĺ?ŜĞ sĹ?ǀǀĂ͊ ĆŒĹ?ĞŜĆ&#x;ŜĞ ĆľĹ?Ć?Ĺ?ŜĞ tĹšĹ?ƚĞ dĹ?Ĺ?ÄžĆŒ 'ŽƾĆŒĹľÄžĆš tĹš ĹšĹ?ƚĞ dĹ?Ĺ?ÄžĆŒ 'ŽƾĆŒĹľÄžĆš zŽƾĆŒ WĹ?Äž zŽƾ ĆľĆŒ WĹ?Äž ĂdžÄ?LJΖĆ? ĂdžÄ? dž LJΖĆ?

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Georgia

NEUROLOGIC EUROLOGICAL AL SURGER URGERY Y & COMPREHENSIVE SPINE

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TasteofAthens.com T asteo ofAthens.com

The story of the Bulldog Barn Reading the latest UGA message is a must when heading north on Highway 15 between Wrightsville and Sandersville By Dink NeSmith

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rom Wrightsville to Sandersville, along Highway 15, the asphalt runs red and black. Herschel, the Bulldog who needs no last name to be recognized, exploded out of Johnson County and into The University of Georgia’s record book. His exploits were regaled, from the sideline, by another Wrightsville native, Loran Smith. And 18 miles north in Washington County, the Edwards brothers—Robert and Terrence—became UGA legends, too. Herschel, Robert and Terrence have hung up their cleats. But there’s another notable attached to the route that South Georgia members of the Bulldog Nation travel into Athens. In 1980, the year Larry Munson begged Herschel’s teammate to “run, Lindsay, run,” the creator of another Bulldog icon was born. Tennille’s Ross Smith came into the world woof, woof, woofing. It was the natural thing to do. His father is a rabid Dawg fan, as was his father. In 2000, that passion caused him to pick up a paint brush and bark his Bulldog beliefs on the clapboard side of a weather-beaten country store, five miles south of Sandersville. Twelve years later, the Bulldog Barn is a landmark signifying Sanford Stadium is 90 miles away. So how did the barn blog begin? With the help of Sandersville’s Ben Tarbuttton III, I tracked down Ross, a civil engineer who lives in Milledgeville. Ross explained, “It was Coach Jim Donnan’s last year. Some of us were upset that Corey Phillips wasn’t the starting quarterback.” On a whim, Ross, with his cousins and boyhood buddies, grabbed paint and a brush to announce their frustrations. His uncle’s abandoned Jot ‘Em Down Store became the now popular Highway 15 icon. While Ross mans the brush, he is quick to say that the messages are a product of teamwork—the Old Savannah Crew (OSC), composed of cousins and friends who grew up along nearby Old Savannah Road. Reflecting, Ross said, “We were 20-year-olds—young and reckless. Today, I don’t think we’d have said: ‘To Hell with Carter, Phillips for President.’” In 2011, an OSC message was: “No complaining! Get on the bus! Hunker down!” Frustration barked again in 2010: “Richt, $53K per week for this? Better figure it out!” But in 2008, the barn read: “Hurricane Richt projected path Miami 1-809.” Ross reported that one his favorites was in 2007: “Ticket: $40, Coals & Meat: $51, Munson: Priceless.” Another he liked—a lot—was in 2003: “Pollack: Growth on a QB’s Fanny, Greene for Heisman, Same Junkyard, New Dawgs.” The only non-Bulldog sign followed 9-11 in 2001. Ross painted an American flag with one star: “United We Stand.” After big games, the OSC is not surprised to find 20 people hanging around the barn in anticipation of the next message. Ross laughed about the time that he almost dropped his paint brush. A state trooper pulled up and got out. “It was intimidating,” Ross said. “I was wondering what I might be doing wrong.” Instead, the patrolman just wanted to take a picture. (If you’d like to see photos of Ross and Company’s work, visit their Facebook page: UGA Football Barn Sign.) As much as fans have fretted about fortunes of the Red and Black, they also worried about the condition of their beloved Bulldog Barn. Time—the Crimson Tide nor the Gamecocks—was its worst enemy. And sure enough, the wind, rain and rot sacked it in 2012. When that news rippled up and down Highway 15, donations poured in. Ross, leading the OSC, went to work. Hammers swung in a fury to complete the renovation, just as the 2012 Bulldogs chomped the Florida Gators—again. Now the Barn displays an empty canvas for what 2013 may hold ... Woof, woof, woof!

We have created a community meeting spot for Georgia alumni, students and supporters in print over the last ten years and now we are taking that sense of community to the next level by creating a social network, WeAreBulldawgs.com. The new online community will connect the students, alumni and fans as well as the campus and community that make UGA so special.

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visit The The D DAILYSOUTH A LYSOUTH AIL Y blog to learn learn more about The Southern The Sou uthern Coterie and meett its founders www.thedailysouth.southernliving.com www.thed dailysouth.souther nliving v g..com

including UGA BOOKSTORE TUESDAY TRIVIA Jeff Dantzler has developed some great questions for a weekly chance to win $20 UGA Bookstore gift card

THE SOCIAL SOCIA AL NETWORK OF THE TH HE SOUTH

THE NEW SOCIAL NETWORK FOR BULLDOGS

THESOUTHERNC.com THESO OUTHERN NC.com 18

WeAreBulldawgs.com Bulldawg Illustrated

TASTE IS INTRODUCING A NEW SHADE OF AMBER Meet the new Budweiser Black Crown, a 6% alc./vol. golden amber lager brewed with toasted caramel malt and beechwood finished for a smooth and distinctive flavor. Tasted, chosen and handpicked by the loud, the savvy and the famous, at bars and festivals across the nation. And then, dressed in black.

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©2013 A-B, Budweiser® Black Crown Lager, St. Louis, MO

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