Georgia

Georgia football holds Pro Day: What we saw, heard from UGA’s NFL Draft prospects

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3 months ago

March 18, 2026

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Georgia football holds Pro Day: What we saw, heard from UGA’s NFL Draft prospects

Tight end Oscar Delp couldn’t fall asleep until 3:30 a.m. Wednesday morning.

“If you don’t have nerves, something’s wrong,” Delp said.

Georgia football hosted its annual Pro Day on Wednesday, March 18, allowing its student-athletes who declared for the NFL Draft to show up and show out in front of representatives from all 32 professional teams.

Delp, Cash Jones, Daylen Everette, CJ Allen, Micah Morris, Christen Miller, Beau Garnder, Zachariah Branch, Noah Thomas, Josh McCray, Monroe Freeling, Colbie Young and Dillon Bell were among those who took the turf in House of Payne’s Indoor Facility at 9:30 a.m. sharp for workouts and interviews. They performed for and met with 49ers general manager John Lynch and Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham, as well as former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy, to list a few.

Bulldogs of the past even returned to watch the event, including former quarterback Jake Fromm (2017-19), who threw passes to Colbie Young and the likes while the team’s current quarterbacks were in class.

The NFL Draft first round is set for Thursday, April 23, at 8 p.m. The second through seventh rounds will be featured on Friday, April 24, and Saturday, April 25, at 7 p.m. and noon respectively.

Here are three big storylines about the Georgia draft hopefuls from Pro Day:

Oscar Delp is clear after hairline fracture discovered in foot

Despite being medically cleared by several doctors in Indianapolis, the tight end was forced to miss the NFL Combine due to a liability issue over a hairline fracture found in his foot on an x-ray.

“My foot feels like a normal foot, like your foot,” Delp said, pointing at the reporter who asked. “I had no pain ever, so it was definitely a shock. It was something that I kind of just heard about in the middle of the season, and I was just as shocked as everybody else, but fortunate enough to go to Dr. Waldrop, who’s with the Saints and one of the best foot doctors in the country.”

He’d forgotten about it, didn’t think anything of it really, but when they compared his x-rays from earlier in the season, it thankfully appeared to be healing. It won’t be something he has to get surgery on.

From the people he’s talked to, he thinks there definitely could have been other guys with the same injury and it was just accidentally overlooked. He was worried, but only momentarily. Doctors eventually put together a good plan for him and he’s glad he went the route he did.

“I have the same chance to hurt my foot as anyone else,” Delp said. “As a guy that I feel is, like I’m a very durable tight end. I take pride in that. I feel like I’m a tough guy. Being at Georgia four years, I never missed a practice or a game and … that’s something that speaks a lot, so to miss (the Combine) was disappointing.”

While he wishes he could have done it in Indiana on the big stage, to do it at home means just as much and he used the second-chance Wednesday to prove what he’s all about.

“I never doubted myself,” he said.

Monroe Freeling hasn’t unlocked his full potential yet

The offensive tackle thinks taking off his knee braces will unlock 15% more of his abilities.

“His flexibility is off the charts, his muscle mass for his size and he’s got really low body fat,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said. “I don’t think he’s reached his full potential yet. Like, some of the guys have gotten really good over four or five years. He was here three. He still has a tremendous upside. I don’t think we’ve seen the best of Monroe all the way yet. He’s going to be a 10-, maybe 15-year pro because he’s really durable, takes care of his body, he’s intelligent and he can play all the positions.”

Freeling’s draft stock has risen since the Combine, where the 6-foot-7, 310-pound lineman recorded a 4.93-second 40-yard dash, and 33.5-inch vertical. He’s being projected higher and higher in mock drafts due to his athleticism, and he’s trying not to tune that out completely.

“You’re going to see it, like you have friends and family and they’re all asking you questions and stuff, but I try to keep my eyes on the prize,” Freeling said. “That’s just me working out, getting ready for the season. Wherever I go, I’m locked in on ball and taking the team all the way.”

Zachariah Branch went from counted out to counted on

If the wide receiver could tell younger Zachariah anything right now, it would be to keep the energy.

“Don’t try to change for anybody,” he said. “You know what works for you.”

Branch plays with a chip on his shoulder, and while that started at a young age, it really kicked in when he was a freshman in high school. People counted him out because of his size, said he couldn’t do certain things, and he took that disrespect personally.

He remembers telling his dad, “I’m going to be the number one receiver in my class.”

And that he was. The No. 1 wide receiver prospect coming out of high school in the state of Nevada, and No. 7 nationally, went on to total 78 receptions for 823 yards and 3 touchdowns in two seasons at USC, before transferring to UGA and setting a school record for single-season receptions with 81 for 811 yards and 6 touchdowns.

But he doesn’t do it to prove other people wrong. He does it to prove himself right.

“Everybody’s journey is different,” he said. “Stay grounded in what works for you and what you know. Keep your loved ones tight and keep your circle tight, especially in our generation. … Know who you are as a person and be confident and comfortable with that.”

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Georgia

Georgia lawmakers to return for special session focused on redistricting, election system deadline

Published

44 minutes ago

June 14, 2026

Press Room

Georgia lawmakers to return for special session focused on redistricting, election system deadline

Georgia lawmakers are set to return to the State Capitol on June 17 for a special legislative session that is likely to shape both the state’s political map and how votes are counted in upcoming elections.

Gov. Brian Kemp called the session primarily to address congressional redistricting following recent court developments ahead of the 2028 election cycle. But lawmakers are also facing pressure to resolve an election administration issue involving the state’s voting system before a special congressional election scheduled later this summer.

The dispute stems from legislation passed in 2024 that prohibited Georgia from using QR codes as the official method of tabulating votes after July 1, 2026.

At the time, supporters argued the change would increase transparency by relying on vote selections that voters can directly read rather than machine-generated barcodes. However, lawmakers never approved a replacement system before the deadline arrived.

Georgia currently uses touchscreen ballot-marking devices that print a paper ballot containing both a human-readable summary of a voter’s choices and a QR code. Election scanners use the QR code to tabulate votes.

Earlier this year, state senators considered Senate Bill 568, a wider election proposal that included changes to voting technology and election administration. The measure ultimately failed to advance before the General Assembly adjourned, leaving state officials without a obvious course ahead as the July deadline approaches.

The issue has become more urgent because a special election to fill the remainder of late U.S. Rep. David Scott’s congressional term is scheduled for July 28, with early voting beginning July 6.

Adding to the uncertainty, Georgia’s Secretary of State’s Office and the State Election Board have issued conflicting guidance on how counties should proceed if lawmakers do not act.

The Secretary of State’s Office has proposed a process that would continue using existing voting machines while relying on software to tabulate votes based on the human-readable text printed on ballots rather than QR codes. Meanwhile, the State Election Board has argued that the approach is not authorized under current law and has directed counties to prepare to use hand-marked paper ballots and optical scanners as an emergency backup if the deadline remains in place.

State election officials and county administrators have warned that the conflicting instructions could create confusion for local election offices and potentially invite litigation if the issue is not resolved before voting begins. Henry County election officials, whose voters will participate in the upcoming congressional special election, have said they are awaiting additional guidance from the state.

According to AP, a possible outcome of the special session would be for lawmakers to extend the QR-code deadline, allowing Georgia to continue using its current system through upcoming elections while state leaders consider longer-term changes. Another possibility would be adopting a new tabulation process before the deadline takes effect, though election administrators have brought up concerns about implementing significant changes so close to an active election cycle.

While congressional redistricting is expected to dominate much of the political debate during the special session, the election equipment issue could have more immediate consequences for voters heading to the polls later this summer.

Lawmakers are expected to begin work when the special session convenes on June 17 at the Georgia State Capitol.

The Associated Press

contributed to this report.

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Georgia’s Adaejah Hodge breaks another record, leads Bulldogs to title

Published

11 hours ago

June 14, 2026

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Georgia’s Adaejah Hodge breaks another record, leads Bulldogs to title

For the second time in three days, Georgia’s Adaejah Hodge took down a collegiate record.

This one carried a bit of extra weight with it.

Hodge, a freshman, won the NCAA outdoor track and field 200-meter national title in a personal-best 21.68 seconds, shattering former Kentucky standout Abby Steiner’s long-standing mark of 21.80, June 13 at Hayward Field. That performance set the tone for the Bulldogs, who won the national title with 50 points.

“I’ve been working for this all my life,” Hodge said. “I really wanted this one. So, I went out there and I got it.”

Earlier this week, Hodge generated plenty of fireworks when she took down the 100 collegiate record — and clocked the fifth-fastest time in world history — in 10.63. In Saturday’s final, though, Florida State’s Shenese Walker stole the show, winning in 10.88. Hodge was second (10.93).

Approximately 45 minutes later, Hodge came back and won her favorite event in dominant fashion. LSU’s Shawnti Jackson was second in 22.12, nearly half a second behind Hodge.

The frustration from her 100 loss wasn’t used for fuel, Hodge said. She didn’t need any extra motivation to bounce back.

Although she was running her sixth race in three days, she had plenty left in the tank.

“Actually, no, I wasn’t,” Hodge said when asked if she was upset about the outcome of the 100. “In track and field, you’ve got to learn how to compartmentalize. I think I did a great job of forgetting the 100, coming back and running my heart out in the (200). … It was definitely just about going back, like, ‘Hey, it is what it is. It’s all part of God’s plan. Move forward to the next event.’ That just shows my maturity in the sport.”

Hodge was far from the only athlete who etched her name in the record books on the final day of the meet.

Fellow Bulldog Dejanea Oakley toppled the 400 record in 48.79, toppling the previous mark of 48.89 set by Arkansas’ Nickisha Pryce in 2004. USC runner-up Madison Whyte (48.97) and Tennessee’s Javonya Valcourt (third, 50.16) also ran personal-best times.

Oakley was the 400 runner-up at the 2025 outdoor national championships.

“All I can say is that we’ve been working toward this,” Oakley said. “Even this morning, me and my coach were going through a visualization of this race. Just going, ‘You can get this collegiate record. Just go out there and do what you’ve been doing during practice and it will come.’ To see it actually come to fruition, like, I wasn’t surprised. We’ve been doing it in practice.”

Before the meet came to a close, Arkansas senior Sanu Jallow delivered another jaw-dropping, record-breaking run. The Razorbacks star smashed Athing Mu’s 800 collegiate record with a winning time of 1:56.85. Penn State’s Hayley Kitching took second in a rapid field; the top six finishers clocked personal bests.

“I didn’t want to just break it; I wanted to shatter the record,” Jallow said. “Breaking it is cool; like, ‘Oh my god, I broke the record!’ But I wanted to make a statement. I wanted to make it a stamp.”

Jallow joked that an 800 race doesn’t truly begin for her until the second lap. She put the rest of the field on notice from the get-go, splitting 55.03 over the opening 400.

From there, she dug deep and delivered a performance for the ages.

“It’s not that painful until you get to the last 150 (meters),” Jallow said. “That’s when the monkey starts jumping on you and you have to go after everything. I honestly felt good.”

Controversial finish in loaded 5,000 field

What was expected to be the highlight of the final day of the outdoor championships devolved into a nervy waiting game — and eventually heartbreak — for one of the great distance runners in collegiate history.

Alabama junior Doris Lemngole, a Kenyan national with five NCAA titles to her name, won in 15:11.71. In the moments following her victory, though, she was disqualified for ‘taking two-plus steps over the rail.’

Following a 45-minute appeal process, the decision was upheld. Lemngole was disqualified, and New Mexico sophomore Marion Jepngetich, who finished second in a personal-best 15:13.01, was declared the winner.

“I have nothing to say right now,” Lemngole said in a prepared statement. “It is what it is. I’m proud of myself, proud of my school and my career.”

Lemngole and an Alabama athletic spokesperson declined to answer further questions following the athlete’s statement.

BYU freshman Jane Hedengren, the 5K collegiate record-holder, was in the field but faded with 800 meters to go and finished ninth in 15:22.88. After orchestrating a thrilling 10k win on the opening day of the meet, Iowa State freshman Mercyline Kirwa took second in 15:13.72.

New Mexico sophomore Pamela Kosgei, the 2025 5K and 10K NCAA outdoor champion, was fifth in 15:15.88.

BYU’s Taylor Lovell nabs long-awaited steeplechase title

Brigham Young University has a rich history of producing national champion-caliber steeplechasers.

On Saturday, Taylor Lovell added her name to this list.

Lovell, a BYU senior, knifed through a strong wind and left nothing to doubt as she clocked a 3,000 steeplechase personal best of 9:21.03 to claim a long-awaited national title. She finished more than five seconds ahead of Notre Dame’s Sophie Novak, who placed second.

“I’m so proud,” Lovell said. “I have so many people before me and with me that I’m so grateful I get to keep doing it with them and continue that legacy.”

After finishing ninth in both 2024 and 2025, Lovell sat on Novak’s hip until the bell lap before unleashing a ferocious kick that put her in control of the race for good.

Lovell is the fifth BYU woman to ever win an outdoor 3K steeplechase title. She joins Lexy Halladay-Lowry (9:08.68) and Courtney Wayment (9:16.0) on the top-10 all-time collegiate leaderboard for the event.

“It’s really exciting to be able to continue a legacy like that,” Lovell said.

Lemngole is the fastest steeplechaser in NCAA history. But the star junior did not race the steeple this week, choosing instead to focus her efforts on the 5K.

That did not alter Lovell’s gameplan coming into the meet.

“I just wanted to come out better than I went in,” Lovell said. “Whether or not she was in the steeplechase, that was still my goal.”

Florida junior Alida Van Daalen secured a dominant win in the discus; on her third throw, the Dutch international hit a meet record 216-6. That was well ahead of Alabama junior Joyce Oguama, who took second (196-9). Oregon freshman Marie Josee Bovele Linaka was seventh (185-10).
USC’s 4×100 relay crew won with a blistering 41.58, good enough for a new 2026 collegiate lead. Trojans’ sophomore Mia Brahe-Pedersen, who starred at Lake Oswego in high school, ran the second leg.
Washington State sophomore Rosemary Longisa cruised to victory in the 1,500, winning in 4:12.1 in a strategic race where no runner necessarily tried to push the pace. Oregon’s Juliet Cherubet (4:12.99) and Wilma Nielsen (4:13.40) were third and fourth, respectively.
On her final attempt of the day, Clemson senior Shantae Foreman catapulted to the top of the triple jump podium. The Tigers’ standout produced a winning mark of 46-8 3/4 to move ahead of Oregon sophomore Sharifa Davronova, who took second (46-5 1/4).
Oregon senior Aaliyah McCormick nabbed her second consecutive 100 hurdles national title with a winning time of 12.47.
Texas Tech junior Temitope Adeshina won the high jump with a season-best leap of 6-5. Illinois’ Rose Yeboah was second; she also cleared 6-5, but Adeshina required fewer attempts to get over the bar.
Washington sophomore Sofia Cosculluela emerged as the heptathlon champion. She tallied a winning score of 6,182 points, finishing comfortably ahead of Cincinnati’s Juliette Laracuente-Huebner (6,084). Cosculluela moved ahead of Laracuente-Huebner when she won the long jump, the sixth event of the meet, with a mark of 21-43/4. She sealed the victory with a second-place finish in the javelin (144-7).
South Carolina junior Akala Garrett won the 400 hurdles in a personal-best 53.32.

2026 NCAA women’s outdoor championships team standings

1) Georgia 50; 2) Florida 43; 3) Arkansas 38; 4) Oregon 36; 5) USC 32; 6) Iowa State 30; 7) Washington 28; 8) Illinois 27

Jarrid Denney is a sports reporter for The Register-Guard. He can be reached at jdenney@registerguard.com or on X @jarrid_denney

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2026 College World Series weather delay: When Georgia vs. Texas game will begin

Published

21 hours ago

June 13, 2026

Press Room

2026 College World Series weather delay: When Georgia vs. Texas game will begin

First pitch of Saturday night’s College World Series game between No. 3 Georgia and No. 6 Texas has been delayed due to inclement weather in the Omaha area. Gates at Charles Schwab Stadium will, however, continue to open at 6:00 p.m. CT/7:00 p.m. ET.

First pitch (as of now) will be thrown at 7:45 p.m. CT/8:45 p.m. ET.

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Georgia heads into its first Men’s College World Series game since 2008, when it finished as runner-ups to Fresno State. The Bulldogs downed Liberty to win the Athens Regional, and held off Mississippi State in an explosive Athens Super Regional to punch their ticket to Omaha.

Texas, meanwhile, returns to the Men’s College World Series for the first time since 2022. The Longhorns downed UC Santa Barbara in the Austin Regional and Oregon in the Austin Super Regional to punch their ticket to the MWCS for the first time under head coach Jim Schlossnagle.

The 2026 College World Series features a double-elimination format heading into the championship series. Then, it becomes Best of 3, with the winner hoisting the trophy. On3 is tracking the CWS with an updated bracket throughout the event.