Green during his senior year. Finally, there’s Blankenship, another favorite placekicker. His pro career with the New England Patriots was cut short by injury, but it did see him make 6 catches for 70 yards in the Super Bowl win over Atlanta. Known for his fearless play as a UGA defensive back with a knack for snagging interceptions and making great returns, Jake was All-SEC in 1967 and 1968. Mitchell went on to write a children’s book, “The Magician’s Hat” (another book is due out this December), and became a leading voice for youth literacy with his Read With Malcolm program and his Share the Magic Foundation. If you’re like me you recognized Wayne Knight for his role of Dennis Nedry in Jurassic Park (1993) or Stan from Space Jam (1996). Those would be pretty good credentials right there, but they went on to establish the much-missed Countdown to Kickoff fan events that served for several years as a major children’s charity fundraiser. The winner of the 2019 Lou Groza Award, given to the nation’s top placekicker, definitely will be missed this season — whenever it’s played! He graduated with his bachelor’s degree and went on to become the youngest ever executive sports editor at the AJC at just 23. Even the idea of maybe pushing the season back a few months has reared its head again as the COVID-19 pandemic surges back. 1 pick in that year’s NFL draft, his leaving early was understandable. This article was originally published November 27, 2019. But, the main reason they’re both so loved by Bulldog Nation is that they turned down the chance to go pro after their junior seasons in order to return as seniors and lead Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs to within an eyelash of a national title. Nick Chubb (right) and Sony Michel swapped jerseys when they appeared as guests at the 2018 G-Day game. Who are your all-time favorite Dawgs football players? The Countdown Continues…Former UGA QB Star #7 Matthew Stafford Poses With Uga…#7ToGo#1Week#UGAFootball2016 pic.twitter.com/MtL7emZKXz, — Matthew Hall (@Loyal_To_The_G) August 27, 2016. A classy guy, he was, Stafford probably was the most physically gifted QB I’ve seen at Georgia — I wish we could have seen what he could have done if he’d stuck around Athens for his senior season, but, since he was the No. Geno Atkins – DT – Cincinnati Bengals. Along with Tarkenton, Champ Bailey and Charley Trippi, Terrell Davis rounds out the list of former UGA college football players to be enshrined in Canton, Ohio. Happy birthday, Wayne Knight! With so many great traditions and by far the best mascot and goodest boy in the Southeastern Conference, it’s no wonder UGA is one of the premier universities in the South. There’s an exhaustive list of UGA alumni that have gone on to accomplish great things. @RyanSeacrest to speak at #uga16 spring commencement and receive honorary degree. Together, they were college football's greatest ever running back tandem. Will the ACC and SEC join the Big 10 and Pac 12 in, I first came up with a list back in 2009, inspired in part by then-Georgia player. A lot of UGA fans would like to see return to Athens some day as a coach. Having enjoyed chatting with Matt a few times over the years, I’m glad to see the articulate College Football Hall of Fame member sharing his expertise as a broadcaster for ESPN and the SEC Network. The three-time Pro-Bowler won two Super Bowls, including a Super Bowl MVP award, and remains the Denver Broncos all-time leading rusher. One is Phil Mickleson. Another connection: I was his paperboy, delivering The Atlanta Journal to him when he lived in the Town House apartments on Lumpkin Street, near Five Points in Athens. He was one of the most talented athletes I ever saw, but also was one of the nicest. Led Athens High 2 state title & #UGA 2 #SEC title. I’ve written lots over the years about Murray, who rewrote UGA and SEC quarterbacking record books while also graduating early and beginning graduate studies in psychology, but I think the real reason he made my personal favorites list is he had the biggest heart of any player I’ve ever seen. The Los Angeles Rams even drafted him in the 11th round in the 1990 NFL Draft. Picking your favorite Georgia Bulldogs is not as easy as it sounds, particularly if you’ve been following the Dawgs as long as I have. I always looked forward to chatting with him at our class reunions; it was a great loss for Bulldog Nation when he died a couple of years ago. The Atlanta native left the school for Hollywood at just 19 but later received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from UGA. The. A recent Gator grad, Patrick currently resides in Gainesville, Florida. Johnson was another Athens boy, and one I went to school with from seventh grade on. Watson won the Masters Tournament in 2012 and 2014 and in February of 2015 reached second place in the Official World Golf Ranking. If Herschel Walker isn't the best College Football player of all time, he was the guy who was the most ahead of his era.