UGASports is counting down the days until the Bulldogs’ 2024 season opener. For each day in our countdown, we will reveal our opinion of the best player in Georgia history to wear that particular jersey number.
We select Terry Hoage as the best Georgia player to wear jersey No. 14.
#14 TERRY HOAGE
Position: Roverback
Hometown (High School): Huntsville, Texas (Huntsville HS)
Height/Weight: 6-3, 205
Lettered: 1980-1983
Stats: 223 tackles,14 interceptions, 10 sacks, five blocked kicks
Career: Terry Hoage was selected as UGASports' top jersey No. 14 over a plethora of skilled quarterbacks for the University of Georgia. Hoage was born in Ames, Iowa, before moving to Texas at a young age. He was part of that famed 1980 signing class with Herschel Walker. Vince Dooley once said , "We signed the most highly-recruited player in college football... but we also signed the least-recruited player in the country" when talking about Hoage. Hoage started his Bulldog career slowly as a member of the scout team and appeared in only two games during the 1980 regular season. In December, he practiced on the special teams unit and was excelling in blocking kicks. Hoage played in the Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame and blocked a crucial field goal early in the contest which helped Georgia win the National Championship. As a sophomore, he made 54 tackles. In 1982, Hoage had 102 tackles and led the nation with 12 interceptions, which is still the most interceptions by a player in a single season in SEC history. Three of the 12 interceptions came in the Vanderbilt game, which is still tied for the most in a game by a Dawg. Although often hurt from ankle and knee injuries, Hoage excelled as a senior, amassing 67 tackles, three blocked field goals (two vs. Clemson), and two interceptions. Dooley also said Hoage: "He was the best defensive player I have ever coached and maybe the best one I have ever seen." Hoage finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1983. He was named All-American in both 1982 and 1983. Hoage's 14 career interceptions are tied for third all-time in Georgia history. In 2000, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Hoage also had a 3.7 GPA and majored in genetics.
#14 Honorable Mention: David Greene, Andy Johnson, Kirby Moore, James Jackson, Mike Bobo, Joe Cox, Hutson Mason
