Breaking News: 5-star to leave Georgia for rivals

A former top quarterback recruit appears to be leaving Georgia, and he may join one of the Bulldogs’ SEC rivals.

Georgia quarterback Brock Vandagriff announced on Monday that he has entered the transfer portal. According to Pete Nakos of On3, Kentucky is “the top destination to watch” for Vandagriff if he goes through with the transfer.

Vandagriff joined Georgia in 2021 as a 5-star prospect out of Bogart (Ga.) Prince Avenue Christian. He has been buried on the depth chart since. Vandagriff played behind Stetson Bennett on Georgia’s championship teams in 2021 and 2022. He has been the backup behind Carson Beck this season.

While Beck is viewed as a potential first-round draft pick, recent reports have claimed he is leaning toward returning for his senior season in 2024. That is likely a factor in Vandagriff’s decision to enter the transfer portal.

Kentucky is looking for its third starting quarterback in three seasons. Transfer Devin Leary started for the Wildcats this year after Will Levis left for the NFL. If Vandagriff does transfer to Kentucky, he should have an opportunity to start right away.

 

 

 

Take a look at Kirby Smart’s postgame speech after Georgia’s loss to Alabama

Coach Smart shared a message of sticking together and being selfless following the Bulldogs’ tough loss in the SEC championship game.

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart has had a knack for knowing just what to say to his players, and his technique has been on display quite a bit during the Bulldogs’ recent run of success. It’s become rarer and rarer for Smart to have to find the words after a loss, but on Saturday, that was the exact situation he found himself in.

Smart was challenged with just what to tell his team on Saturday night after the Bulldogs lost to Alabama 27-24 in the SEC championship game. While its unclear what Smart told the team in its entirety, a snippet provided by the “Kirby Smart All Access” show offered some insight.

Below is what Smart said as captured by the show:

“Men, I love this team so much. This team’s got a lot of fight in it, OK? A lot of fight in it and did a lot of good things in this game, OK? We made too many mistakes to deserve to win … I love this team. I don’t know what’s going to happen, and nobody knows what’s going to happen … The only thing we control is what we’re going to do moving forward.

“You guys are fighters, you’re competitors. Look what you just did. Look what you’ve accomplished. And we didn’t finish it. We’re going to finish this thing the right way. I love the men in this room, and when you lose games, here’s what you do: you don’t look to point the finger outward. You say, ‘What can I do? What could’ve I done better, Naz? What could’ve I done better, Carson? What could’ve I done better, Daylen? Everybody – including me, including me.

“We don’t ever fracture here. Composure, toughness, resiliency, and what else? Connection. Y’all hear me? It’s got to mean something to you. It can’t just mean something to you when you win. Keep your head up, OK. I love every one of you guys. Remember: connection and family goes on past a loss. I’m proud as hell of you, men. I love every one of you. I’ll do anything for you the rest of my life, and we’re not done yet, OK?”

The speech followed an unwelcomed change of pace for Smart and the Bulldogs. Saturday’s loss snapped a 29-game winning streak for the Bulldogs, which was an SEC record. The winning streak started with the College Football Playoff semifinals in December 2021 – the last loss before it was a loss to Alabama in the SEC championship game.

Smart and the Bulldogs will look to return to their winning ways on Dec. 30 when No. 6 Georgia faces No. 5 Florida State in the Orange Bowl. The matchup will feature two teams that seemed destined to make the College Football Playoff only for their hopes to be dashed at the last minute.