“Mixed Issues” I want To Leave For Him To Play Georgia Bulldog Star Open Up After What Happened

Augusta, Georgia — On Tuesday, he made the announcement that was unnecessary for everyone else. Brock Bowers’s legacy in Georgia football history must now be determined. After three years with the Bulldogs, Bowers announced his departure to the NFL on Instagram. On Saturday, he missed Georgia’s 63-3 Orange Bowl victory over Florida State due to an ankle injury; he did not play in the game. There aren’t many who would disagree that the junior tight end should be buried with Georgia’s all-time greats. That’s an extraordinarily high place of honor considering it allows for only four slots and includes 131 years of football teams and thousands of Bulldogs from which to choose.

 

This season, Bowers, a junior tight end from Napa, California, became just the third Georgia football player in school history to earn three All-American honors. There should be busts of Herschel Walker and David Pollack etched into the rock beside Bowers as they are the only two. Additionally, that means that out of dozens of worthy Bulldogs, just one spot is left.

Out of all the Georgia running backs—Frank Sinkwich, Fran Tarkenton, Bill Stanfill, Jake Scott, Todd Gurley, Nick Chubb, and the only other Heisman Trophy winner, Walker—who gets left out? And what on earth to do with Stetson Bennett? A former walk-on on the six-year college plan, Bennett is the only quarterback in UGA history not only to lead the Bulldogs to back-to-back national championships, but he received MVP honors in every postseason game leading to both victories.

 

Regardless, there certainly would be no all-time Georgia team in which Bowers wouldn’t be included. “His legacy is he’s a tremendous athlete, great toughness,” coach Kirby Smart said on the eve of the Orange Bowl, which Bowers skipped because of his surgically repaired left ankle. “Never seen a kid come back from a significant injury that fast. Pretty incredible the numbers he hit and what he was able to do as he came back. He kind of transformed the culture of the work ethic around here, especially on our offense. “To see him go out there and compete and work like he did for the three years has been quite astounding. I mean, he is a machine when it comes to practice, doesn’t get weary, works his tail off. He created a benchmark that will be there for a long time.”

 

At 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, Bowers brought to his position a unique blend of speed, strength and talent. He is a consensus favorite to become the first tight end taken in April’s NFL draft. He has been projected as a top-10 pick. In 40 games and 37 starts, Bowers’ college career saw him catch 175 receptions for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns, which are seventh and second, respectively, on Georgia’s career charts. He gained another 193 yards and five touchdowns rushing the football. “I played with one of the best Dogs ever,” junior Ladd McConkey said. “Personally, I think he’s the best college tight end to ever play the game. Three-time All-American, a tremendous football player, but an even wonderful guy.

 

I’m really thankful for him.” McConkey, a fourth-year junior wideout from Chatsworth, joined Bowers in making the choice to enter the NFL draft with collegiate eligibility remaining. To date, there have been at least 10 such players. They include junior safety Javon Bullard, senior running back Dailjun Edwards, junior cornerback Kamari Lassiter, senior defensive lineman Zion Logue, senior running back Kendall Milton, junior offensive tackle Amarius Mims, senior wide receiver Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint and junior center Sedrick Van Pran-Granger. Underclassmen have until Jan.

15 to alert the NFL they intend to enter the draft. Georgia leads the nation in number of players to have been drafted during the past three seasons (34) and past five seasons (48). In all, 55 Bulldogs have heard their name called during the draft during Smart’s eight-year tenure. A handful Georgia players who had decisions to make have elected to return. They include, most notably, junior quarterback Carson Beck and junior inside linebacker Smael Mondon. But the Bulldogs also await decisions from others with eligibility remaining, including rising seniors such as defensive linemen Warren Brinson, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and Nazir Stackhouse.