Georgia junior inside linebacker Roquan Smith, arguably the most dominant defensive player in college football this season, is entering the NFL draft.
He announced his decision on Monday, the NFL’s deadline day for underclassmen to declare for the draft.
“As you know this is somewhat of a crossroads for me,” Smith said in a statement released by Georgia. “I’ve had discussions with coaches and family and a lot of thought and prayer. The decision to leave is not easy but I know it is the right one. Georgia will always be my school and my home and I sincerely wish all the best to the coaches, staff, and players as they continue to reach higher goals in the years to come.”
Had to do it. I give him credit for struggling with the decision, but it’s the right thing for him to do. Best of luck, R. You’ve earned it.
And, once again, thanks to the coaching staff that was on the ball enough to sway him away from UCLA.
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UPDATE: More.
I bet he gets a few cheers the next time he sets foot in front of a crowd in Sanford Stadium.
Just the time that he took tells us he finally decided with his head instead of his heart. Absolutely the right decision for a DGD.
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I would have loved for him to stay but if he was my son I would have told him to go. Not worth risking first round money with chance of injury. Thanks R!
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Selfishly I’m sad for us, but I’m hard pressed to think of someone who’s earned it more.
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Fair play to him. He’s earned a nice payday with his “amateur” work. I hope he winds up playing somewhere he’s happy and productive.
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I’m happy for him but the cupboard continues to be stripped. I expect us to be hard pressed just to get back to the SECC next year. We lost the best RB duo in cfb history and the defense is decimated. Losing a great punter, too. This staff his it’s work cut out.
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Baloney.
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Ok. We’re gonna win the SEC and make it back to the playoffs based on what? I don’t see how any realistic person can look at what we’re losing and make that claim.
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Best team in the SECE by far…deal with it.
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Are we gonna hang an EAST banner? What exactly is your point?
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You said we’d struggle even to make it back to the SECCG, not to win it. Even with the losses you note, we’re still head-and-shoulders ahead of every other team in the East. We should have no real problem making it back to Atlanta.
However, I expect our opponent in that game to be Alabama, and I expect them to be significantly better than they were this past season. So at this point, I can’t see how we win that game.
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I beg to differ on Bama Turd. I don’t think they will be better. They lose their share of players, too. The Georgia OL will be better and won’t be abused by the Bama DL in the ’18 SECCG if we get there and they get there. Holyfield, Herrien and Swift are really good RBs–I don’t think we lose much production at that position. Plus our QB is back and Ridley will step up to be Georgia’s next great receiver. On D, the weakness really was at DB and I think some of the new guys will really help there. The Dawgs will be fine—if we get past SC in Columbia early in the season and at LSU.
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Fortunately we only have to play the teams on our schedule. If we’re better than they are, then we’re good.
…and we are.
We’ve got a 8 months to fill the holes. I see us actually being better overall bc I don’t think our OL is going to be a liability any longer and our QB has a bunch of experience. Nothing will be new to him.
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wait, what? I thought “the cupboard was bare” LAST summer! I’m guessing the staff has a plan, especially since 3/4 of the roster (at least) is now here under the aegis of The Process 2.0.
Plus, the rest of the East is still a dumpster fire. I’m not saying we don’t lose any talent (duh), but we may be able to find one or two guys who can play a little. Who had any visions of Javon Wims being a star this year? Or Jake Fromm? Who knows how it all shakes out (injuries, suspensions, buzzard luck, bad calls) over the course of 2018, but get me to the SECC game again, and we can wing it from there. Sorta like this year, actually.
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What a great player and DGD. Looking forward to seeing him be successful in all facets of life.
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The right decision. He will finish his education in the off season. He left it all on the field for us. A DGD!
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Booooooo!!!! Good for him. DGD
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Hope he makes tons of money, remains injury free and plays in multiple Pro Bowls. DGD.
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The average career length for an NFL first round draft pick is a little over 9 years. If foregoing his senior season adds one more year to his max earning potential no one can fault him. That is the entire point of college, regardless of profession.
UGA should be flattered that he was torn but ultimately it was the right call. Dawgnation was fortunate to watch him play for 3 years and to be able to call him one of theirs for eternity. Godspeed, Mr. Smith.
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You just want to root for the guy. Would it be too much for the Falcons to do whatever it takes to trade up to take him? Who am I kidding? They’ll take someone from another school and troll the Georgia fan base by showing the one play the guy made in a game against us.
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I think they would have to give too much to get high enough…
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Could’ve had Todd Gurley in ATL a couple of years ago. Is there one Bulldog on their roster? I don’t think so.
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May be the best ILB I have ever seen that played at UGA….and that is saying a lot. He made the right decision imo. Will be interesting to see who replaces him….McBride looks capable, last I looked he was a 9.5 or 9.6 100 meter guy. Obviously, you need more than speed for that position, but that is a good start.
Monty Rice also seems to be capable….
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The world record in the 100 meters is 9.58. The Georgia State HS record is 10.19 by Tyreek Hill.
I think McBride is somewhat slower than Tyreek and Usain Bolt.
Maybe you should stick with describing “man/zone technique.” At least its vague enough that you can feign typos later.
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McBride was State Champ for 2A in the 100m with 10.71
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And the 200m at 21.71.
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That’s right, thanks!…..I can remember reading the time when he did it and thinking it was pretty dang fast. I also read he did an unofficial at 10.5 to 10.6 in the 100 meters, which is faster than his state meet time.
The fastest football player that I have ever seen in person, ran a 9.5 or 9.6 100 yard dash. His name was/is Doyle Orange from Waycross, GA, a running back….best running HS running back not named Herschel I’ve ever seen.
He weighed around 220-225 lbs. at the time when he ran it…he went on the play in college at one of the Mississippi colleges. Later to the Canadian League and I believe a year with the Falcons. Dude was a BA…
Hence, I was curious when I first read McBride’s 100 meter time. So I converted his 100 meter time to the 100 yard dash time to compare to Doyle. I believe I came up with the 9.6 or 9.7 at the time (100 yards). For some reason, that stuck my head when I posted 9.5 or 9.6 100 meter. Nonetheless, thanks for you correcting me on this.
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Does being a douche come naturally or do you have to work at it? What kind of reward comes along with it, or do you just brag at home to your dog and wife?
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I like facts and I hate stupid. Sorry in advance. I’m sure after you and Greg cuddle awhile you’ll both feel better.
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With the measure you use it will be measured to you. Better to show some charity and receive it when you yourself need it.
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I know I fuck up. I live with it. Pile on.
Nothing worse than last Monday night will come of it. That I know.
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You come here for your “facts” and you hate “stupid”?? Too funny 😂….
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You’re babbling.
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AgEng…I guess the internet is easy for you. You probably feel as though you can say what you want (names, insult) and get away with it. You are a real internet warrior. The internet is full of people like you. I suppose that makes you feel better about yourself and sleep at night.
Although I have seen enough of your posts to know this would not work, but just a tip anyway….whatever you say here, you should person enough to tell someone in person, or just don’t say it at all. Somehow, I do not feel you have the coconuts to do so, in your mind…it is safer to insult and call names here, at a distance
Nonetheless, take the advice or just keep on doing what you do…you warrior you.
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People who know me would laugh at the suggestion that I would filter myself in a different setting. I don’t. I wouldn’t. I won’t.
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If true, that just tells me the kind of people you grew up with.
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“grew up” and hang around with.
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Let me suggest that a lot of the people crying about my tone probably voted for the Mango Mussolini, are proud of it and probably think blog comments should be held to a higher standard than presidential tweets. Irony, hypocrisy, stupidity.
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AgEng..shit man, you embarrass yourself enough over on TOS….you gotta do it here too?? I don’t think anybody is “crying” about you calling them names. They are just pointing it out to try and help you, cause it looks pretty juvenile and limited to most. If you feel a need to keep doing it….by all means, keep doing it…leave no doubt.
I personally think it is sad and kind of hilarious at the same time…it just reveals both your mental level and character. Keep fighting the good fight…it’s entertaining.
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I don’t know who or what “TOS” or “AgEng” is. At all. That means zilch to me.
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This handle (“Derek”) is not much better. You may want to consider changing this one also, it (rep) is catching up to you. May want to start over and come back. Nonetheless, I don’t blame you…..I would deny it also, AgEng. Gotta be embarrassing…..
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Actually it’s impossible. Btw, Jared Fogle, after the whole sex with kids thing, I’d go in a different direction Jared.
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Why do you assume I need to feel better and apologize to me? I’m not the one full of piss and vinegar on a college sports blog. Since you didn’t answer me I’ll just assume you stick your chest out like a quail when you win internet arguments. How proud you must be….
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It’s ok. It was insincere. Assume all you’d like.
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“stick your chest out like a quail”
LOL!….never heard that one, rooster maybe…but not quail. Nonetheless, good one. He kinda also reminds me of the ones up in the peanut gallery …..can say what they want with no fear of the consequences. Thinking he knows no better.
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Did you enjoy your cuddle puddle?
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AgEng/Derek…. Probably just a bunch of “racist Trump voters/supporters” teaming up on you, hey??….got to be conspiring.
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Racist and stupid. Can’t stand a rude blogger. Love an asshole president calling people names on twitter.
Can’t fix or explain stupid. You can just tell them what they are Jared.
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Dang man, you are about as nutty as a fruitcake…everyone is out to get you and all Trump voters are racist….”bless your heart”, you just can’t help it, it is not your fault. Not sure whether to laugh or feel bad for you…..just so gonna say, God bless….maybe that will help.
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Not all trump voters are racist, Jared.
Racists who happen to vote chose Trump, Jared.
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LOL!!…you’re truly a nutt. Why don’t you go find your wife, girlfriend, boyfriend or a wall to argue….and quit hitting on me.
You truly do seem to be a lunatic, you may need to go talk to a pro (no kidding). Could be just a chemical imbalance and a pill may help do the trick…..but seriously, get help. Gotta run, I have sane/balanced people I need to talk with…God bless!
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Have a good one Jared! Don’t molest the children Jared.
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Either you two grow the fuck up in a hurry, or I’ll run both your asses out of here. No further warnings.
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Machine gunner huh? What unit?
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Gitmo in 99, 2/8, then got lucky and went to FSSG at lejuene to “train” non infantry.
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Cool, I was a 0351 with 3/8 from 99-03.
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If I had to guess, Derek is a cat or gerbil person.
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Meant to say 10.5 to 10.6, not 9.5 to 9.6….but I am sure the mistake pleases you. I remember when he won the 100 meters at state, just forgot the exact time….looks like 10.7 was right, as pointed out above…..nonetheless, fast. It was a big deal then, as I grew up in Vidalia and know the family (Dad coaches, not sure if he still does)…not too many state champions thru the years there…or Dawgs (football, pulling 4 my hometown boy). Also remember reading that he has had a time as low as 10.6 in the 100 meters (unofficial). It has been reported he also runs a 4.4 – 40 (yards)…..Not bad for a white boy…. hey, AgEng??
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Still don’t know what the fuck that’s supposed to mean.
Since you’re all about Vidalia, whose the best ball player to come out of that place?
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Not sure why that interests you, but there have been plenty, off the top of my head:
1) Sonny Hendrix ( QB – Troy)
2) Hibby Bedingfield (Center..Dad’s a Dr, he is now a pharmacist…I played with his brother (David) at an early age. He pitched for FSU.
3) Mike Johnston ( RB/FB – grew up and played with him)
4) Ricky Humphrey (Center – lived across the street, grew up & played with him)
5)Tommy Sasser (QB – know him & sister…class people)
6)Bob Connell (RB – Nolder brother grew up with him)
7) Kim Thompson (LB – grew up and played with him)
8) McBride…..(LB – seen him play, could be the best…but who knows)
Most all of these guys were All-State….Hope this helps
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I’ll guess Mel Blount. Don’t think he played for Vidalia High though.
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No. Lyons High School. But he was born in Vidalia. You win.
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Before my time…but from Toombs and played in Lyons I believe. Schools were not integrated at the time (I think).
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Thanks for the memories, Roquan. You will be sorely missed, but I am very happy for you and believe you made the correct decision, because it’s what you believe is right for you. I hope you have a long and prosperous NFL career and make tons and tons of money. You will forever be remembered as one of the greatest defensive players in the history of the University of Georgia. Best of luck.
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Hope he replaces TD in CLT next year.
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I don’t because that means he has to play with $Cam. All the Dawgs in Charlotte can’t counter the fact that he’s there.
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We might want to send a thank you note to Uncle Arthur in Atlanta for making sure our staff and Roquan knew about post-signing day coaching changes in Westwood before Roquan signed on the dotted line.
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S/O Trent Thompson for being on the scene Smith’s signing and getting in his ear before he faxed his LOI.
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