Georgia
Georgia’s all-time JUCO transfers
Georgia’s all-time JUCO transfers
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia’s lawsuit against the NCAA, claiming a player’s time in junior college should not count towards his overall years of eligibility, was granted an injunction last week. This will allow Pavia, a former JUCO transfer to the Commodores, to pursue another year of eligibility.
The ruling prompted UGASports to attempt to discover Georgia football’s all-time JUCO transfers with the thought of: What if, like Pravia’s, the NCAA playing career of each of Georgia’s nearly 100 (from what we discovered) all-time JUCO transfers could be extended another season or two based on their time attending junior college? In other words, imagine if former JUCO transfers-turned-Georgia stars like Stetson Bennett or Devonte Wyatt had been granted an additional season(s) of eligibility with the Bulldogs because of their time previously spent in junior college.
After scanning over eight decades of newspaper articles, player rosters, and signee listings, we have assembled Georgia football’s all-time JUCO-transfer team, along with a “notable reserve” at most positions. Only those players whose time in junior college counted towards their overall years of eligibility were considered. Players who attended a preparatory school, like Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy, which isn’t recognized as counting towards playing eligibility, were not considered. Also not considered were the few Georgia players who briefly attended classes at a junior college but never played football there (like star running backs Tim Worley and Keith Henderson at Northeast Oklahoma A&M in 1987), and therefore did not lose any playing eligibility. Selections were made based on their Georgia playing careers. Listed below each player is his JUCO followed by the seasons he later lettered at Georgia.
All-JUCO-transfer – OFFENSE
Georgia’s All-JUCO offense is headed by Stetson Bennett who, among many other accolades, has to be one of the greatest JUCO transfers in college football history. Also under center is Ken Schulte, who starred at the same JUCO as Bennett in the mid-1950s before coming to Georgia. Schulte, however, could never quite take the Bulldogs’ starting job and finished with only 42 career yards of total offense in 15 plays. Although he did not letter, quarterback Mark McKay of Visalia (Calif.) Junior College was a member of Georgia’s 1980 national championship team. Eventually transferring out of UGA, McKay returned to California where he was a standout at San Diego State in 1982 and 1983.
At running back, transfer Tony Mangram was promptly Georgia’s starting tailback to begin the 1984 season and led the team in rushing through a few games. He was later moved to fullback and started a game at cornerback as a senior in 1985. After rushing for 3,570 yards and 35 touchdowns in two seasons at Merced (Calif.) Junior College, Odell Collins of nearby Jefferson, Georgia, was an instant fan favorite in Athens. Although he totaled just 32 touches as a Bulldog, his final one—a 10-yard touchdown run against Georgia Tech in 1996 on Senior Day—is one to remember with respect to the late Collins.
At wide receiver, Hason Graham totaled 1,834 receiving yards in three seasons. Javon Wims led Georgia’s 2017 national title game team in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown catches. After junior college, Nate Lewis was one of the nation’s top punt returners at Georgia in 1987 before transferring to Oregon Tech and later playing in the NFL for six seasons. Bill Herron, a right end for Georgia in the late 1950s, is slotted at tight end. Although totaling just 15 career catches, Herron’s game-winning touchdown reception from Fran Tarkenton against Auburn in 1959 is still regarded as one of the program’s all-time greatest plays.
Each of the first-team offensive linemen was considered a starter for at least one season at Georgia. After a year at Wake Forest and a year at Ferrum (Va.) Junior College, Joe Happe came to Georgia as one of the program’s first JUCO signees in some time. An offensive guard at Ferrum, Happe was a two-year starting center for the Bulldogs and an All-SEC honoree as a senior in 1981. Although he never qualified academically, offensive tackle Alex Vega deserves mention because of his sheer size. At 373 pounds, Vega remains—30 years after his signing—the heaviest signee in Georgia football history.
The kicker, Brandon Bogotay, served as Georgia’s backup placekicker for three seasons from 2009-2011, scoring 10 points and kicking off a combined 29 times.
All-JUCO-transfer – DEFENSE
When it comes to JUCO transfers, you could say that Georgia is “Defensive Lineman U.” Headed by first-round pick Devonte Wyatt, 12-year tackle Jason Ferguson, and current long-time veteran John Jenkins, nearly every defensive lineman listed played multiple seasons in the NFL. Other JUCO-transfer defensive linemen also worthy of mention include Toby Johnson, Chris Mayes, and Jermaine Johnson.
At linebacker, it’s head shaking to think of either Odell Thurman, Dwayne Simmons, or Kendrell Bell getting a season or two added to what were already spectacular careers. Each could be defensively dominant and take over a game. Rich Robich was an interesting case of a recruit who signed and played for Ole Miss as a true freshman (and made tackles vs. Georgia) in 1994, transferred to Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College in 1995, transferred to Georgia in 1996 when he was redshirted, before playing a significant reserve role for the Bulldogs in 1997 and 1998 (and made tackles vs. Ole Miss).
Georgia’s effort in the early 1980s to recruit the West Coast for quick JUCO defensive backs and wide receivers ultimately landed secondary standouts Ronnie Harris and Jeff Sanchez. A first-team All-American as a senior in 1984, Sanchez earned first-team All-SEC honors for each of his two seasons at Georgia. Ben Smith was a terrorizing “hit man” as a cornerback before being moved to safety as a senior when he intercepted 10 passes. Worthy of mention because of his nickname alone, “The Hit Man,” Jakar Hamilton was a part-time starter for Georgia in 2010 before transferring to South Carolina State and later appearing in the NFL.
What do you think of our listing of Georgia’s all-time JUCO transfers? Who did we miss?
Georgia
Georgia OC Mike Bobo gets giant pay raise, salary matches DC Glenn Schumann
Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo and defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann will be paid equally in 2026 after receiving raises, according to an Athens Banner-Herald report.
Coach Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs are coming off a second consecutive SEC championship season and College Football Playoff Sugar Bowl quarterfinal appearance.
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Georgia
Georgia Lt. Gov. announces bill inspired by Charlie Kirk to protect student speech
Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones on Monday unveiled legislation inspired by the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk that he says would expand students’ free speech rights in public schools, making Georgia the first state in the nation to pursue such a measure.
Jones announced the “True Patriotism and Universal Student Access Act,” known as the TPUSA Act, on Monday as a priority for the 2026 legislative session. The proposal, sponsored by State Sen. Ben Watson (R–Savannah), would strengthen First Amendment protections for public school students by safeguarding their right to speak, organize, and express political and religious views on campus.
The bill is explicitly shaped around the work and legacy of Charlie Kirk, the founder of the conservative advocacy group Turning Point USA and its political arm, Turning Point Action. Jones and others have framed the legislation as a way to honor Kirk’s efforts to mobilize young conservatives and defend free speech in schools and on college campuses.
“In the spirit and memory of Charlie’s work, the TPUSA Act in Georgia would ensure that students’ First Amendment rights to organize, gather and speak are protected, regardless of their religious, political, or social viewpoints,” Jones said in a press release. “Georgia is leading the way as the first state in the nation to do it.”
Jones, who is running for governor and is endorsed by both former President Donald Trump and Turning Point Action, also emphasized his broader commitment to free speech rights as part of his campaign rhetoric.
“Georgia is building on the work of Charlie Kirk to ensure students can speak, organize and express their beliefs freely,” Jones posted on social media.
The TPUSA Act would require public schools in Georgia to permit political expression before, during and after the school day to the same extent that non-political expression is allowed. It also would let students form political clubs and groups during non-instructional time, bar discrimination against groups based on viewpoint, and guarantee that students could wear politically themed clothing and accessories under the same standards that apply to other permitted attire.
Supporters say the legislation would ensure that school administrators cannot block students from engaging in peaceful political activities and that all viewpoints, partisan and nonpartisan, would have equal access to meeting spaces and facilities.
Sen. Watson said the move reflects the belief that schools should not restrict students’ free speech or prohibit them from organizing around their beliefs.
“School officials should not have the power to enforce their own ideologies on students,” he said.
Josh Thifault, senior director at Turning Point Action, praised Georgia’s effort, asserting that Kirk “lived and died for the First Amendment.” He added that the legislation will benefit students “for decades to come” by removing barriers to student expression.
Georgia
Georgia lawmakers stall car boot ban, leaving frustrated drivers with no relief from predatory parking enforcement
Daryl Terry II had exited a popular wing restaurant, only to discover a heavy metal boot clamped to his car’s wheel. “I think booting should be banned because it’s predatory. You’re preying on people who are just trying to visit business establishments,” Daryl said, shaking his head while holding a $100 boot removal receipt.
Daryl explained that the parking lot was confusing, with faded signs barely visible even in broad daylight. “At night, you can’t see the sign at all,” he said. “By the time I got to my car, there were already two boots on it. The guy told me I left the property and didn’t pay, so he was entitled to boot my car.”
He’s not alone. Maddie Yoder, who works at a nearby bakery, has experienced the same fate. “I’ve worked here for five years. One morning, I quickly grabbed a spot and came back to a boot. The attendant literally waits for people to make a mistake,” she said, pointing out the tricky signage that designates spots for specific businesses.
Both drivers are among many Georgians who hoped a recent State Senate bill would end what they call predatory booting. Democratic State Senator Josh McLaurin, the bill’s sponsor, says the practice is a form of extortion. “Georgia needs to ban the boot. You’re trapped when it happens.”
Despite gaining bipartisan support, the bill was abruptly killed in a procedural move. It was sent to a committee that, due to the chairman’s resignation, couldn’t hold hearings or move bills forward.
“That committee is essentially dead,” McLaurin explained. Efforts to get comment from the Lt. Governor’s office about the bill’s demise went unanswered.
McLaurin isn’t giving up. He plans to reintroduce the legislation later this session, hopeful that relief is still possible for Georgia drivers. He also points out an inconsistency: “Towing companies in Georgia are regulated and can’t just wait in a lot for you to mess up. Booting, on the other hand, is barely regulated at all.”
For now, drivers like Daryl and Maddie keep a closer eye on the signs—and their wallets—hoping that lawmakers will finally put the brakes on predatory booting.
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