Getty ImagesGeorgia has suffered a mountain-sized defensive hit, both literally and figuratively, ahead of its postseason matchup with Nebraska.
Wednesday evening, as the Bulldogs began on-site prep work in orlando, UGA head coach Mark Richt announced that starting nose tackle John Jenkins will not play in the Capital One Bowl New Year’s Day. Richt stated that academic-related issues are behind the 6-3, 358-pound defensive lineman being sidelined for the Big Ten-vs-SEC bowl game.
Going up against a squad as run-heavy as the Cornhuskers — NU is currently eighth in the country at 254.5 yards per game — it’s a significant on-field loss for the Bulldogs.
Jenkins had started all 13 games this season, and was second among defensive linemen in tackles with 50. He added two tackles for loss and one sack in his role as UGA’s middle-of-the-line anchor. As Jenkins is a senior, his football career in Athens is over as well.
Junior Kwame Geathers is listed as the No. 2 NT behind Jenkins on the depth chart headed into UGA’s bowl preparations.
Despite losing one of his most talented defensive linemen, Richt had nothing but praise for the now-former player.
“I think John Jenkins has been awesome for Georgia,” Richt said in quotes distributed by the school. “I’m really proud of everything he’s accomplished for us. Just really want to wish him the very best. He’s been a blessing for our program.”
So Georgia will win by 14.
NO ONE CARES!!
So he misses a glorified scrimmage?
Wow, academically ineligible at an SEC school. A man that size probably has big fingers, making his fingerpainted answers on exams indecipherable on that little 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper. Tragic and quite unfair, though probably covered under ADA if he presses a case.
Uga is in a lose-lose situation. If they win people say so what and if they lose they won’t hear the end of how perennially overhyped they are (which they hear every year)
Bo Pelini: “So you’re saying there’s a chance!”
I guess Mark Richt really cares about those kids!
Richt cares about his kids and cares about his program. He’s undeniably a good person. Sucks for big john J. Best of luck to him. Looking forward to watching him in the league
After being in college and hanging out with college athletes I can tell you 100% that some of these guys flat out stop going to class once they know they’re about to get paid
Mark Richt is a good person but as a HC at Georgia even if you put the NC trophy in their hands they would drop it.If Richt ever wants to win a NC hes going to have to win it in another stadium.Every season the Dawgs have had nothing but bad luck.Someday Mark..
being academically ineligible is the equivalent of a chinese kid failing freshman math, how do you flunk out at an SEC school? You could be stoned all day in class and still maintain a C average in an SEC class.
I aint surprised that Richt can keep this under control, homeboy played at The U in the 80s and is used to being around people that dont go to class and just wanna hang out.
BrownsTown says:
Dec 26, 2012 9:52 PM
Wow, academically ineligible at an SEC school. A man that size probably has big fingers, making his fingerpainted answers on exams indecipherable on that little 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper. Tragic and quite unfair, though probably covered under ADA if he presses a case.
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+1 and a juice box.
UGA is third academically in the SEC (behind Van and FLA, according to U.S.News), and on par with Ohio St. and Maryland.
Good for UGA, standing up for something besides football.