It's an annual tradition here at UGASports.com: We offer up our superlatives to the newest Bulldogs.
Some are serious, most are tongue in cheek, but they're all meant to help you get to know the fresh faces better.
Best Houdini Impression
Best Houdini goes to a man who seemed to appear out of thin air. Sure enough, Mathis’ name popped up seemingly out of nowhere. Before there was really time to process it all, he was committing to the Bulldogs. It’s a great trick, and Kirby Smart and company have yet to explain how they did it.
Best Nickname
There were a couple of guys who could have earned this spot, such as Kenny "The Blueprint" McIntosh, and, of course, "The Mailman," Stetson Bennett. Still, what great is the simplicity of Davis’ nickname and the sinister meaning it holds. While he’s a well mannered kid, he’s anything but, when the pads are on.
The Rudy Award
Given he was the last signee of Wednesday, he could have won our next award, but how can Georgia fans not get the warm fuzzies for Stetson Bennett? He was a kid who loved the Bulldogs enough to walk on, played well enough to garner tons of praise, took a shot at JUCO, and has now returned to he fold, with a fresh scholarship in hand. Can you imagine if the guy won the job one day?
11th Hour Award
The rumors surrounding Dean were wild, and he put several coaching staffs through highs and lows for his commitment. Even as late as twenty minutes ahead of the commitment, there was still uncertainty. No one seemed to go down to the wire as far as Dean, but props to him for keeping the weeks leading up to Signing Day suspenseful.
Bruce Banner Award
A mild mannered, studious, and quiet person, Webb is a bit unassuming when you meet him, and you’d be hard pressed to find a nicer kid as you interact. But when he’s angry? You wouldn’t like him when he’s angry, and that’s how he plays when the whistle blows. He goes from baby-faced, book-reading Dr. Webb into an animal on the offensive line. He’d make the Hulk proud with his transformation.
Solid As A Rock
When Tramel Walthour ended up in junior college, you never heard any complaining or "woe is me" attitude. You also never heard anything about him flirting with another team. If it happened, he kept it very quiet, but it seems he took care of his business in Kansas and got back to Athens as soon as he could. No wavering, no talking, all business. He was solid as a rock despite the adversity, and Toto, he's not in Kansas anymore.
Most Swag
If you love confidence in a player, you may want to go ahead and spring for a McIntosh jersey. For my money, he gave the best quote of the year: “I’m a different breed. My name is 'the Blueprint.’ They don’t call me that for nothing.” Hopefully, he’ll be able to continue the blueprint of success the Bulldogs have had in the backfield as well.
The "Hope You’re Ready" Honor
Given to the player who may most need to be ready, Daniel’s objective is simple: step in for the departing Deandre Baker. Replacing a Thorpe Award winner with almost three years of starting experience under his belt will be a tall task, but given that Daniel closely mimics him in size, has blazing speed, and has JUCO experience—coaches are hoping he’ll be ready to step in.
The Well-Traveled Award
No one is making a greater journey from the site of their high school experience than Cine, who will make the thirteen hour and twenty-five minute drive from Cedar Hill, Texas, to Athens for college. Of course, this is to say nothing of his initial move. He started his high school career playing in Everett, Massachusetts before landing in the Lone Star State. That drive? A mere 27 hours, covering almost 1800 miles. The guy gets around.
The Isaac Nauta Trophy
Named for the man who helped blaze the trail from Bradenton to Athens, this honor is bestowed upon the former Georgia native who makes his way to IMG Academy before ultimately returning to the Peach State. Smith’s tenure at IMG was longer than Nauta’s or previous winner Robert Beal’s, so we may have to consider renaming this one for Smith going forward. The Bulldogs hope they can keep this rich pipeline flowing.
Most Likely to Switch Positions
This was a rather easy choice, given the rumors that Norton had spoken to other teams about playing offensive line late in his recruitment. Given his ample size, he could certainly make a mark there, though he might need to add some bulk first. We’ll see what Tray Scott is able to do with him first.
Best Athlete
It’s not often that defensive linemen get the opportunity to play Division One basketball, but Auburn was willing to offer Walker that opportunity. That’s not a huge surprise, however, given that he’s been a part of an Upson-Lee squad that has compiled over 70 straight wins and counting to go along with a couple of state titles. The Knights will be pushing for a third straight title this year. Oh, and Walker was a state placer in the shot put. Safe to say, he's good.
Name of the Year
We award this to the guy who won’t need business cards in the future, because there’s no way you’re forgetting this name. As if the last name Tongue were not memorable enough, tacking on the unique Makiya at the front is a sure-fire recipe for quick recall. Expect Tongue to make a name for himself on the field in Sanford Stadium as well—and when he does, the dirty jokes will be low hanging fruit.
The All-Time Great Award
Truss holds a unique but not unimportant distinction. There have only been two four-star players ever from the state of Rhode Island. Truss is one. He’s far and above the highest-rated offensive lineman to ever come from the state, as well. He’s a living legend when it comes to Rhode Island football, so whatever he does at Georgia can only add to an already impressive legacy.
Mr. Georgia
There may be no player arriving who’s won the affection of fans quite as much as Blaylock, who did so with simple but rare methods. His approach? Commit, take no visits elsewhere, and tell coaches who call to inquire that you’re fully done. In a world full of flips, decommitments, and long, drawn out recruitments, he was a breath of fresh air for many fans, and his solidity earns him the title of Mr. Georgia.
Best Bounce Back
Talk about a redemption story. Johnson was practically unknown coming out of high school and admitted he made some poor choices to put himself in that spot. He didn't let that deter him, however. He enrolled at Independence Community College and quickly made a name for himself as one of the nation’s best pass rushers. He picked Georgia over twenty-one other offers he gained during his JUCO tenure. He also made quick fans out of Dan Lanning’s kids upon committing.
Mr. Sprout
Logue is a massive man now, but he wasn’t always quite so big. Over the last two years, he’s put on over sixty pounds and transformed his body into a possible interior lineman at the next level. Credit good genetics, hard work, and some teenage growth spurts for his gigantic frame.
The Quay Walker Tennessee Hat Award
Heading into his official visit with the Bulldogs, Marshall seemed genuinely torn between Georgia and Tennessee. After the trip, however, he quashed the hopes of the Vols, taking to Twitter and announcing he was 110 percent committed to Georgia and would sign with them early. If we can ever find the Vols hat that Quay Walker threw during his signing ceremony, we’ll award it to Marshall, who will likely give it another toss.
The Great Migration Award
Mitchell was the final target of the Tennessee natives to commit to Georgia. But in doing so, he gave the Bulldogs three of the Volunteer State’s top defensive linemen. He helped complete Georgia’s migration of top talent away from the rebuilding Vols, and the effects in the Nashville and Memphis areas could be key in coming years.
Most likely to get a call from Scott Stricklin
We could have given this to John Plumlee if he’d signed, but make no mistake, Goede can tear up a diamond with the best of the them. Well known for his pitching ability, there was some early thought that he might get MLB looks. Instead, Goede decided to focus on the gridiron. Still, if the baseball Dawgs need a fresh arm, who knows? Maybe they’ll give him a call.
Most Versatile
Like Isaiah Wynn before him, McClendon is a veritable Swiss Army knife on the offensive line. He’s got the feet and bend to play either tackle spot, the power and push to hold down the guard positions, and the smarts to run the offense as a center if need be. Having a five-position-capable player on the offensive line is never a bad thing, and that should lead to some success in McClendon’s career in Athens.
