This summer, we have been exploring a topic that has been debated on The Dawgvent for years and years. Twice a week leading up to the season opener, 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 "Versatile" UGA Players, or those who excelled at a position before being moved to another, where he excelled there, as well? Who would you put on your list?
Dave McMahon—Twitter @dave_mc_stats
Robert Edwards (1993-97): While an excellent running back yet probably not one of the top four to wear a Georgia uniform, Robert Edwards is a perfect example of why the “versatile” category is appropriate. The older of two Bulldog brothers, Edwards first excelled as a Georgia cornerback, appearing in 17 games from 1993-1994, including starting each contest as a sophomore. In 1994, he had 64 tackles and four interceptions. In 1995, Edwards switched to the scatback role, where he rushed for 169 yards and scored five touchdowns in his first game against South Carolina. Rushing for 156 yards and two touchdowns by the third quarter of game two, he was off to an extraordinary start at Tennessee before fracturing his foot and suffering a season-ending injury. Edwards returned in 1996 to score 10 touchdowns, followed by totaling 13 as a senior in 1997, not including three touchdowns scored in the Outback Bowl. In just over two seasons running the ball at Georgia, he totaled 2,033 rushing yards before being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft by the New England Patriots.
Billy Payne (1966-68): While many people today recognize Billy Payne by either his involvement with the 1996 Summer Olympics or with Augusta National (in which he recently announced his retirement from the Chairman role), he was an outstanding football player as well. Payne was the son of Bulldog great, Porter, and has a grandson, Bo Sikes, who is currently on Georgia’s golf team. In 1966, he was the Bulldogs’ left end on the offensive side (leading the team in receiving) and was the starting right end in 1967. Switching to the defensive side of the ball in 1968, Payne had three interceptions, including one against Archie Manning. As a senior, he was named All-SEC by the AP and UPI.
Hines Ward (1994-97): A few weeks ago, some Venters were curious why neither of us chose Hines Ward as a top-four receiver. Personally, I left him off because I knew I was putting him on the “versatile” list. Ward is one of the best players Georgia has ever had, and I am glad there’s a place for him on a Bulldog Mt. Rushmore. When he started out for the Bulldogs, he was a running back, splitting carries with another Super Bowl MVP, Terrell Davis. Ward rushed for 425 yards while averaging 5.5 yards an attempt as a true freshman in 1994. He played receiver at first as a sophomore but switched to quarterback after the team endured a few injuries. In 1995, Ward led Georgia with 872 yards passing, excluding 413 in the Peach Bowl. In 1996, he switched back to wide receiver and remained there for the rest of his career (while the nation discovered how truly extraordinary he was). In 1996 and 1997, Ward totaled over 100 receptions, including 10 for touchdowns. For his career, he had 1,066 rushing yards, 1,965 receiving yards, 918 passing yards and 842 yards on returns. Ward’s 144 career receptions still rank as the seventh most in school history. In 1994, he was chosen All-SEC Freshman at running back and was an All-SEC wide receiver in 1996 and 1997. Ward continued his success with a soon-to-be Pro Football Hall of Fame career in the NFL, and does a great job as a broadcaster, as well.
Bernard Williams (1990-93): Standing 6-foot-9, Bernard Williams was a monster of a man. The Memphis, Tenn., native started his Bulldog career in 1990 as a defensive lineman, but did not stand out; however, he did tally the majority of his six career blocked kicks (four extra points and two field goals) that season. Williams switched to the offensive line the following season, and was the Bulldogs’ starting left tackle in all but two games from his sophomore to senior seasons. He is undoubtedly one of the reasons why players like quarterback Eric Zeier and scatback Garrison Hearst were so successful. In 1993, Williams was selected post-season First Team All-American by Football News.
Patrick Garbin—Twitter @PatrickGarbin
Lynn Hughes (1964-1966): For head coach Vince Dooley's initial season in 1964, Lynn Hughes paired with Preston Ridlehuber as part of Georgia's dual-quarterback system. That year, the sophomore signal caller led the Bulldogs in passing and was fourth on the team in rushing. With the emergence of quarterback Kirby Moore, Hughes was moved to the starting safety position in 1965, where he would be recognized as an All-SEC defender for both of his final two seasons. Also in 1965 and 1966, Hughes saw time at his original position as Georgia's No. 3 quarterback, completing a combined 19 of 29 passes. For his career, he passed for more than 700 yards, intercepted 10 passes on defense, and scored seven touchdowns (six rushing, one via interception return).
Billy Payne (1966-1968): Before bringing the Olympics to Atlanta and becoming chairman of the Augusta National Golf Club, Billy Payne was "the best 60-minute player I ever coached," according to head coach Vince Dooley. As just a sophomore tight end in 1966, he led the Bulldogs in annual receiving and was second on the team as a junior in '67. Moving to the other side of the ball for his senior campaign, Payne was a consensus first-team All-SEC defensive end, who had the knack of intercepting passes and getting into the opposing backfield (like this instance vs. Tennessee):
Mike Weaver (1981-1984): The younger brother of the renowned Eddie "Meat Cleaver," Mike is the only Bulldog in history to start on one side of the ball one year (offensive guard in 1982), start on the other side the next season (defensive guard in 1983), and return to his original side as a starter a third year (offensive tackle in 1984). Switching back to the offensive line after totaling 85 tackles as a junior, the collegiate career of the late "Jumbo" was capped when he was selected in the 1985 NFL Draft.
Hines Ward (1994-1997): Hines Ward might be the best example for Georgia in terms of it’s “too bad postseason stats didn’t count then” as they do now. Dave revealed Ward’s official statistics, but if you include the two bowl games he appeared in as well, he, first off, in four seasons unofficially started 33 games—22 at receiver, 7 at scatback, and 4 at quarterback. What’s more, he totaled 2,119 yards receiving, 1,331 passing and 1,130 rushing, which would have made him the first college player in history with 1,000 yards rushing, passing, and receiving for a career. Ward also totaled 842 yards on returns (740 kickoff, 102 punt), which signifies him nearly gaining 1,000+ yards in a staggering four different categories. But, back to his official stats, whereby the versatile Ward still remains one of only two Bulldogs in history to total (only) 100+ career yards rushing, passing, receiving, via kickoff returns, and returning punts:
In a few of days, we will reveal the final 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 "Versatile" UGA Players?
UGASports.com's Previous UGA Mount Rushmores:
