ATHENS —
As the University of Georgia football team prepares to get back in the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division race this week, some of the Bulldogs’ players from the Valdosta area could have an impact on Saturday night’s game against the University of Kentucky in Lexington.
Malcolm Mitchell, who caught three Aaron Murray strikes for 52 yards against sixth-ranked South Carolina on Oct. 6, is still listed as the No. 2 split end behind senior Marlon Brown going into Saturday night’s game in Lexington.
Georgia head coach Mark Richt listed Mitchell as one of the kickoff returners for the Kentucky game. He also expects the triple threat to continue being an asset on offense, while serving as a reserve cornerback. Mitchell, a former Valdosta High star, is presently listed behind senior Sanders Commings as one of the Bulldogs’ starting cornerbacks.
Former Lowndes Viking Josh Harvey-Clemons, a true freshman, has been named a special teams captain for this week’s game.
“This does not happen very often,” Georgia head coach Mark Richt said at the UGA press conference on Tuesday. “Josh has done very well for us this past week, working on all three special teams (squads).”
Bulldogs senior inside linebacker Michael Gilliard, a former Valdosta Wildcat, has started five of six Georgia games this season. Gilliard is still considered “a starter” in the eyes of his head coach, Richt confirmed at the press conference.
“We still consider him a No. 1 on the depth chart,” Richt said Tuesday. “Michael has started for us before, and remains at that level.”
Gilliard tallied nine tackles (his season high) against Florida Atlantic, including 1.5 tackles for loss. He also registered seven tackles against Buffalo and six against Vanderbilt.
Also contributing in a steady manner this season as a redshirt freshman is former Wildcat Jay Rome, who has served as a back-up tight end to junior Arthur Lynch.
Rome has seen action in all six UGA games this season. He registered his first Bulldogs reception (a 15-yard strike from Aaron Murray) at Missouri, and also caught a 21-yard pass vs. Tennessee.
Of the four local Bulldogs, Mitchell might see the most action this week at Kentucky. Richt says he could see action on offense and defense.
Mitchell credits Rance Gillespie, his former coach at Valdosta High School, for helping him prepare for college football.
“Working with Coach Gillespie in the film room during my years with Valdosta really helped me a lot,” Mitchell said after practice on Tuesday. “He really showed me how we all could play at the next level.”
Mitchell feels ready to play a larger role — especially after the lopsided loss to South Carolina.
“I am more used to it now (playing offense, defense and special teams),” Mitchell said.
“Now we all need to re-evaluate together and self-evaluate to get better from this last game.”
Gilliard wants to do as much as he can to help the Bulldogs win.
“I wish I could have done more (against South Carolina). I am being patient and ready to help whenever I am called on,” he said.
The eldest of the four Valdosta-area players also praised the future for Harvey-Clemons.
“Josh is going to be a very special player for us,” Gilliard said of his younger defensive teammate.
All four players have seen their abilities rewarded with playing time for the Bulldogs.
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Related Photos
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Georgia's Malcolm Mitchell (26), a former Valdosta High star, runs with the ball after making a catch against Vanderbilt earlier this season. Joe Morgan
Discussion
Local players making impact for Bulldogs at UGA
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