A year ago, we delivered our “Counting the Days” series—an example. This summer, we explore a topic that has been debated on The Dawgvent for years and years. Twice a week leading into fall camp, we will post the UGA’s Mount Rushmore of… series, whereby we each present our opinion of the top four Bulldogs representing each positional unit. Whether statistics, big plays, championships won, and/or something else, we have our reasons why these quartets of Bulldogs have been chosen.
Do you agree with our Mount Rushmore of UGA Receivers? Who would you put on your list?
Dave McMahon—Twitter @dave_mc_stats
A.J. Green (2008-10): His name might not be on the top of the majority of the receiving categories at Georgia but, to me, the most complete wide receiver that has ever worn a Bulldog uniform is Adriel Jeremiah Green. From 2008-2010, Green displayed size, speed, elusiveness and tremendous hands. Many would agree, and look at these receiving numbers resulting in just 32 career games: 166 receptions for 2,619 yards and 23 touchdowns, ranking fourth, third and second, respectively, in Georgia history. Green had seven games in which he had over 100 yards receiving, and four in which he scored multiple touchdowns. In each of his three seasons, he had a different primary quarterback to adjust to and, it seemingly didn’t matter, as he had over 50 receptions each season. Green was a Freshman All-American in 2008, and an All-SEC wide receiver for all three seasons. He was the fourth pick taken overall in the 2011 NFL Draft, and is having an outstanding pro career.
Terrence Edwards (1999-02): One name that is at the top of several receiving records at Georgia is Terrence Edwards. Like his older brother Robert, Terrence excelled for the Red and Black, leading the Bulldogs in career receptions with 204 (only Bulldog with over 200), receiving yards with 3,093 (only Bulldog with over 3,000), and career touchdown receptions with 30 (only Bulldog with over 23). Edwards is also the only Bulldog to have over 1,000 yards receiving (1,004) in a season, and the only Bulldog to have over ten touchdown receptions in a season (11). In addition, he is the only Dawg in history to lead the team in receptions for four seasons. Edwards had a game in which he had ten receptions, 10 games with 100 or more receiving yards, and four games in which he had multiple touchdown receptions, including three against Kentucky in 2002. He also had two touchdown runs in bowl games, and even completed five passes. Edwards played sparingly in the NFL, but dominated up north in the CFL, and recently was elected into the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Hall of Fame.
Brice Hunter (1992-95): When Georgia’s passing game exploded in the 1990s, Andre Hastings was the Bulldogs’ first great receiver. He put up some good numbers, but the receiver that followed Hastings put up some great numbers. Brice Hunter had just three receptions for 30 yards during his freshman season of 1992. But, he had 76 receptions for 970 yards the next season. The reception total remains a Georgia record, and the 970 yards receiving was a team record until 2002. What makes this even more remarkable is that he accomplished as much in 11 games. In 1994, Hunter’s reception total dropped a tad to 59, yet that still is a Dawg record for juniors. As a senior in 1995, Hunter made 44 receptions. For his career, he tallied 19 career touchdown receptions. Despite players appearing in more games which count towards season and career statistics, Hunter still ranks in the top six all time at Georgia in career receptions, yards receiving and touchdown receptions. He was a two-time All-SEC wide receiver and had a short stint in the NFL. Hunter married a former Lady Bulldog basketball player, Brandi Decker. Sadly, he was found shot in a Chicago apartment building in 2004. Hunter and Decker’s son, Jaden, is currently an incoming freshman on the current Bulldog team.
Corey Allen (1994-97): As I’ve mentioned, some of the players that are mentioned in the “Mount Rushmore” series may not be players with the most amazing stats or number of championships. Sometimes players make the list for performing big plays and against big rivals, in which Corey Allen fits both of those categories. Allen totaled 65 receptions in his career during the mid-1990s, but some fans remember two of the catches in particular. In the 1996 clash against arch-rival Auburn on the Plains, Georgia trailed 28-7 at the half, and later was down by seven points with time winding down in the game. On the final play of regulation (despite Larry Munson doubting the result), Mike Bobo threw a 30-yard pass that a well-covered Allen caught for a touchdown. After the successful extra point, the game was tied and went into overtime (the first overtime in SEC history), whereupon the Dawgs eventually won 56-49 in four overtimes. Just over a season later, Georgia trailed by four points in the game’s final seconds to another arch-rival, in-state villain Georgia Tech in Atlanta. The tandem of Bobo and Allen struck again with the latter, again well covered, catching an eight-yard strike with eight seconds left. The Bulldogs ended up winning a thriller, 27-24.
Patrick Garbin—Twitter @PatrickGarbin
Charley Whittemore (1968-1970): As Dave indicated, besides a portion of the 1940s and early 1950s, Georgia didn’t become known for its passing game until the 1990s. Therefore, many great Bulldog wide receivers from yesteryear have often gone forgotten. Still, there have been few better pure Georgia receivers than Charley Whittemore. Speaking of, Whittemore became the varsity program’s first “pure” receiver, lining up almost exclusively split out from the offensive line. Prior to that, all Bulldog receivers were like today’s tight ends, predominantly lining up tight near the line. Whittemore followed an All-Sophomore conference selection in 1968 with honorable mention all-conference honors in 1969 and 1970. His 114 catches for 1,680 yards and 11 touchdown receptions were all Georgia career records until broken 11, 11, and 22 years, respectively, following his departure from the school.
Lindsay Scott (1978-1981): The Bulldog who broke Whittemore’s career school records for catches and receiving yards was Lindsay Scott (who, at the time, was ironically coached by Whittmore, Georgia’s receivers coach). In the Bulldogs’ run-oriented offense, Scott made 131 career receptions for 2,098 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also totaled over 1,000 yards on kickoff returns, including a spectacular 99-yard return for a touchdown at LSU in 1978. That season, he was named the SEC Freshman of the Year and, three years later, was recognized as a unanimous First Team All-SEC member. Notably, Scott was actually Georgia’s all-time leader in all-purpose yardage (3,282)—yes, a wide receiver—for a short time, until surpassed by Herschel Walker. Perhaps above all, considering the passing yards compiled by the Bulldogs at the time, Scott arguably remains Georgia’s “most productive” receiver in history. Of the 17 Bulldogs who have totaled at least 1,500 career receiving yards, the following is the top five as far as percentage of teams’ receiving yards gained in only the games in which the player appeared:
Terrence Edwards (1999-2002): One certainly cannot leave off the one-time career leader in receiving yards and touchdown receptions in SEC history… Terrence Edwards’ 3,093 career receiving yards were a conference record for 11 years until broken in 2013. In addition, his number of career catches and touchdown receptions still rank sixth and third, respectively, in the annals of SEC football. A quarterback coming out of high school, Edwards also gained 336 yards on kickoff returns, 83 yards via punt returns, 64 yards passing, and 24 yards rushing from 1999-2002.
A.J. Green (2008-2010): My opinion of Georgia’s most electrifying, thrilling wide receiver in history, A.J. Green not only compiled his impressive receiving totals, which Dave mentioned, in only three seasons, but he also missed a combined seven games as a sophomore and junior. Add to those totals more than 100 career rushing yards and a 12.5-yard punt return average. What’s more, Green not only is the only Georgia receiver in history to earn all-conference recognition for three years, and the only one to be a First Team All-SEC receiver twice, but is also the last Georgia receiver (seven years ago!) to be named first or second-team all-conference.
UGASports.com's Previous UGA Mount Rushmores: Quarterbacks; Defensive Ends/Outside Linebackers; Tight Ends; Inside Linebackers
In a couple of days, we will reveal our next in the UGA’s Mount Rushmore of… series. Until then, again, do you agree with UGASports.com’s list? Who would you put on your Mount Rushmore of UGA Receivers?
