Georgia
Top Dawgs in the NFL (Week 9)
Top Dawgs in the NFL (Week 9)
Continuing a series that debuted last season, UGASports highlights the top NFL performances by former Georgia players for the week entering the Monday night game. With our most outstanding performer for the week—or the Top Dawg—revealed towards the end, we spotlight the top NFL performances by Bulldogs for October 31 through November 3 and preview those participating in tonight’s Monday night game.
Ladd McConkey
A week after a 100-yard receiving performance, McConkey continued his sensational rookie campaign in the Los Angeles Chargers’ 27-10 win yesterday over the Cleveland Browns. Starting at wide receiver and seeing 48 of 57 offensive snaps, he totaled a team-high five receptions for 64 yards with a long of 20. Through eight games this season, McConkey leads the 5-3 Chargers with 35 catches for 440 yards and four touchdowns.
Travon Walker
Although resulting in a 28-23 loss on the road at Philadelphia, Jacksonville’s Walker had one of the top single-game defensive performances in the last few weeks by a former Georgia player. The third-year defensive end totaled seven tackles (six solo), including two for loss, and returned a fumble 35 yards for a touchdown to pull the Jaguars to within a touchdown late in the third quarter. Breaking multiple tackles on his way to the end zone, Walker’s fumble return was a thing of beauty and was his first touchdown since he played at Upson-Lee High School.
Nakobe Dean
With Jacksonville trailing Philadelphia, 28-23, with 1:37 remaining, Dean went up high and made a tremendous, game-sealing interception of the Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence. For Dean, it was the first interception of his NFL career—and his first pick since the one he returned for a 50-yard touchdown against Florida three years before in Jacksonville. Although he totaled only two tackles against the Jaguars (Dean entered averaging more than eight tackles per game), he defended on a game-high two opposing passes, including the game-clinching pick. Also for the Eagles, defensive tackle Jalen Carter totaled four tackles, defensive tackle Jordan Davis made two tackles, linebacker Nolan Smith had one stop, and cornerback Kelee Ringo had a tackle and fumble recovery on special teams.
The TOP DAWG: Matthew Stafford
A week after having his highest-rated passing game in nearly two years, Stafford earned the Top Dawg recognition for his performance yesterday in the Los Angeles Rams’ 26-20 overtime win over the Seattle Seahawks. The 16-year veteran completed 25 of 44 passes for 298 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Stafford’s second touchdown pass was a 39-yard dime dropped to Demarcus Robinson in overtime to win the game. It marked the former Georgia quarterback’s 46th career game-winning drive in the NFL, ranking sixth all-time in league history.
For some notable group efforts, linebacker Quay Walker had a game-high 12 tackles in Green Bay’s 24-14 loss to Detroit. Also contributing to the Packers defense was safety Javon Bullard (four tackles), cornerback Eric Stokes (three tackles), and tackle Devonte Wyatt (two tackles).
Although resulting in a 41-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, a trio of former Georgia players stood out for the Las Vegas Raiders. Tight end Brock Bowers continued his historic rookie season with five receptions, including a 22-yard touchdown for the second score of his pro career. Also, running back Zamir White rushed for a touchdown for the game’s first score, and 12-year defensive tackle John Jenkins registered a half-sack.
Kicking off at 8:15 pm ET, the lone Monday night game tonight pits the 4-4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the 7-0 Kansas City Chiefs, where the home team is a 9-point favorite. The Bucs have one former Georgia player on their active roster: rookie Tykee Smith, a No. 2 safety. The Chiefs feature two: Malik Herring, a No. 2 defensive end, and Mecole Hardman, a No. 2 wide receiver (also first-team kickoff return and second-team punt return).
Georgia
Georgia lawmaker proposes renaming Sawnee Mountain for Trump
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – A Georgia lawmaker is proposing a new name for Sawnee Mountain in Forsyth County — “Trump Mountain.”
(Forsyth County Parks and Rec)
What we know:
According to a post on social media, Rep. David Clark of Buford introduced a resolution to rename the mountain after President Donald Trump.
Clark called Trump “one of the most transformative Presidents in the nation’s history.” Sawnee Mountain is currently named after a celebrated Native American chief.
(Joyce Lupiani/FOX 5 Atlanta )
Clark is running to become Georgia’s next lieutenant governor.
Rep. David Clark joins growing race for Georgia lieutenant governor
Georgia
Weekend snow possible in parts of North Georgia
ATLANTA – While the workweek remains quiet, far eastern North Georgia and the Carolinas are bracing for a potential winter weather blast this weekend.
Chance for snow in Georgia
What they’re saying:
FOX 5 Meteorologist Jonathan Stacey says that while uncertainty remains, the ingredients for a Saturday snow event are beginning to align.
The primary window for impact is early Saturday morning through early Sunday. High-pressure conditions are expected to keep things clear through Friday, but a shifting weather pattern could open the skies just as temperatures plummet well below freezing.
By Sunday, models suggest the system will push offshore into the Atlantic, likely clearing the way for a sunny but cold end to the weekend.
Forecast could change
What they’re saying:
Current forecasting models are in “good agreement” regarding the timing of the front, though they differ slightly on how much moisture will reach the Atlanta metro area.
The European Model: Suggests the bulk of the snow will fall on the eastern side of the Appalachian Mountains in the Carolinas. The big question for North Georgia is whether that moisture will cross the state line to impact eastern communities.
The American (GFS) Model: Offers a more conservative outlook, keeping the “lion’s share” of accumulation in the Carolinas and leaving Georgia with only meager flurries in the easternmost counties and higher elevations.
Georgia snow accumulation
What they’re saying:
With temperatures expected to stay below freezing all day Saturday and Sunday, meteorologists have to account for snow ratios. Typically, warmer snow (near 32°F) is heavy and wet. However, in deep cold, snow becomes “fluffier” and stacks higher.
For example, the same amount of liquid that produces one inch of slushy snow at freezing might produce two inches of dry, powdery snow at 28°F.
While an expansion into metro Atlanta is possible, it is not yet considered likely. Current probabilities favor Northeast Georgia and the Lake Country:
- Athens 40%
- Blairsville 40%
- Gainesville 30%
- Eatonton 30%
- Atlanta 20%
- Canton 20%
- Dalton 20%
- Ellijay 20%
- Rome 10%
- Carrollton 10%
- LaGrange 10%
- Griffin 10%
Sun after weekend
What’s next:
Looking toward next week, there is a silver lining. By Groundhog Day, the sunshine is expected to return. Regardless of whether the groundhog sees his shadow, a gradual warmup is likely to follow the weekend deep freeze.
The Source: This is a FOX 5 original report with all information coming from the FOX 5 Storm Team.
Georgia
Georgia football projected defensive depth chart, starters for 2026 season
ATHENS – With the transfer portal closed and the NFL draft deadline past, we know what Georgia’s roster next season will look like.
The Bulldogs had 15 players depart the program via the transfer portal, while four players declared early for the NFL draft. Seniors such as Daylen Everette, Oscar Delp and Brett Thorson will all move on to the NFL.
With so much turnover, it can be hard to know how things stand with the Georgia roster.
But after the frenzy of early January, we now know that the Bulldogs will have one of the most talented rosters in the sport.
As the offensive depth chart below shows, the Bulldogs bring back plenty of key contributors. There are some holes that need to be filled, specifically in the secondary, but Georgia has a number of promising players eager to step up.
Georgia football 2026 depth chart, defense
Defensive tackle
- Elijah Griffin (Soph.), Xzavier McLeod (Jr.)
- Jordan Hall (Jr.),
- Nasir Johnson (R-Soph.), Carter Luckie (Fr.), Preston Carey (Fr.)
Nose tackle
- Jordan Hall (Jr.), Xzavier McLeod
- Nnamdi Ogboko (R-Fr.)
- Valdin Sone (Fr.)
Defensive end
- Gabe Harris (Sr.), Amaris Williams (Jr.)
- Joseph Jonah-Ajonye (R-Soph.), JJ Hanne (Soph.)
- Justin Greene (R-Soph.),
- AJ Lonon (Fr.), PJ Dean (Fr.)
Analysis: Much like the wide receiver position on the offensive side of the ball, don’t focus too much on who lines up where. Georgia is going to move guys around on the front. For a group that was super young this past season, Georgia brings back plenty of experience while also having a lot of upside. It could easily be the best defensive line Georgia has had since the 2021 Georgia team. With how Griffin finished this past season, he could very well be one of the best players in the country with further development.
Outside linebacker:
- Quintavius Johnson (Jr.)
- Isaiah Gibson (R-Fr.), Chase Linton (R-Fr.), Darren Ikinnagbon (Soph.)
- Khamari Brooks (Fr.)
Analysis: Harris will help here and Johnson really played well to close the 2025 season. It will be very interesting to see how Gibson, Linton and Ikinnagbon develop this offseason, as the Bulldogs will lean on them to help a pass rush that was among the worst in the SEC.
Inside linebacker:
Mac:
- Justin Williams (Jr.)
- AJ Kruah (R-Fr.)
- Nick Abrams (Fr.)
Money:
- Raylen Wilson (Sr.), Chris Cole (Jr.)
- Zayden Walker (Soph.)
- Elijah Littlejon (Fr.), Terrence Penick (Fr.)
Analysis: Even losing a likely first-round pick in CJ Allen, Georgia is simply loaded at this position. Cole and Wilson will see the field plenty, while Williams figures to soak up a lot of Allen’s former snaps. With how much talent Glenn Schumann has at the position, it will very interesting to see how Georgia gets Walker on the field. He’s a clear talent, as his performance against Texas and Alabama showed.
Cornerback:
Right cornerback:
- Ellis Robinson (R-Soph.)
- Braylon Conley (R-Soph.)
- Justice Fitzpatrick (Fr.)
Left cornerback:
- Demello Jones (Jr.), Gentry Williams (Sr.)
- Jontae Gilbert (R-Fr.), Caden Harris (Fr.)
Analysis: Robinson’s emergence as one of the best cornerbacks in football helps solve the departure of Daylen Everette. Georgia went into the transfer portal to add Williams and it will be interesting to see how he and Jones split reps in the secondary. Georgia likes the 2026 signees it got in Harris and Fitzpatrick, though the latter enters Georgia having suffered a significant knee injury at the end of his high school career.
Free Safety:
- KJ Bolden (Soph.)
- Jaylan Morgan (R-Fr.), Jordan Smith (Fr.)
Strong Safety:
- Kyron Jones (Jr.),
- Zion Branch (Sr.), Ja’Marley Riddle (Jr.)
- Todd Robinson (R-Fr.),
- Blake Stewart (Fr.)
Star:
- Rasean Dinkins (Soph.), Khalil Barnes (Sr.)
- Tyriq Green (Fr.), Zech Fort (Fr.)
Analysis: Like at cornerback, Georgia dipped into the transfer portal to add reinforcements. Riddle is more likely to help at the safety spot, while Barnes could very well help at the star position. Jones is worth watching, given how much time he missed in the second half of the season due to injury. Georgia really likes Dinkins and don’t be surprised if one of the four freshmen safeties finds a way to make an impact for the Bulldogs.
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