Sad News: Georgia Bulldogs Lose Star Returner To The Transfer Portal

The Georgia Bulldogs had a successful season but missed out on the College Football Playoff thanks to a SEC Championship game loss. They are now dealing with players leaving for the transfer portal. Electric returner Mekhi Mews announced his intention to enter the transfer portal.

Georgia Bulldogs Kick Returner Mekhi Mews Enters Transfer Portal

Mews put his name on the map in the spring game. He served as a reserve wide receiver but his main role was a returner. Mews was dangerous in the return game. He averaged 10.3 yards per punt return and 25.9 yards per kick return. He had this to say in a statement.

“First I want to thank God for the opportunity he has presented to me at The University of Georgia. I am beyond grateful to be in the position I am today.

Coach Smart and his staff took a chance on me when others wouldn’t. I could never thank the staff enough. I want to thank the fans, my family and my friends for supporting me throughout my time in Athens. Lastly I want to thank the Athens community for pouring in to me. I’ve grown so much as a person over the years and I’m glad I could be molded by such a great community to be the man I am today. 

As this has been a very hard decision to make, I have full trust in the plan that the Lord has for me. With that being said, I am entering the transfer portal with 2 years left of eligibility.”

2024 Brings New Challenges

The SEC is expanding with new teams coming into the fold. While the SEC has always had a tough schedule, it is about to get tougher. Georgia especially has a tall task ahead of them. They travel to Alabama and Texas in 2024 which are their toughest games by far. Going on the road in college football is always tough but to have the two toughest games the whole year on the road is a bad draw. Still, the Bulldogs have plenty of talent and are well-coached so they shouldn’t have an issue competing in 2024.

While they have lost a handful of players to the transfer portal, the Georgia Bulldogs shouldn’t be too worried. They have top recruiting classes coming and should have no issue replenishing talent.

Brock Vandagriff to Kentucky seems a perplexing choice for a transfer

Former Georgia backup quarterback Brock Vandagriff didn’t take long to make his decision after entering the transfer portal, but why in the world would this five-star quarterback choose Kentucky?

This is the world we now live in. If a talented player isn’t getting on the field within a year or two, he’s transferring. Former five-star quarterback Brock Vandagriff is the latest in a line of Georgia backup quarterbacks who have opted to enter the transfer portal.

The news of Vandagriff choosing the portal wasn’t at all surprising. It was probably a sign that Carson Beck will be staying at Georgia for another year, and Vandagriff wants to get some live game reps as a starter.

But where the former Prince Avenue Christian School star chose to play wasn’t what most probably expected to hear. Choosing to play at Kentucky after leaving Georgia seems…well…a downgrade of sorts.

Not saying the Wildcats are a bad team or that Mark Stoops hasn’t made Kentucky into something that actually resembles a Division 1 football program, but they still have a long way to go before seriously being considered to win SEC titles or beyond.

Can he walk in the door at Lexington and be crowned the starter from the jump? Possibly. Kentucky is losing starting quarterback Devin Leary, who transferred in from NC State. They do have other QBs on the roster, with Kaiya Sheron being the only one to see the field (2 of 4 for 5 yards in five appearances) in 2023 besides Leary.

Brock Vandagriff may be thinking Draft over rings

So Vandagriff could potentially be the new starter at Kentucky from day one, where he’d still be battling — possibly even to hold his backup role — for a spot at Georgia.

The advantages of going to Kentucky would seemingly stop there.

Especially when you consider that Vandagriff’s options were practically unlimited. Almost any FBS program would have welcomed him, and there are several who could be considered conference champion contenders who are desperately in need of a quarterback.

Clemson, Tennessee, Washington, USC, and Ohio State all could use either upgrades or replacements at quarterback. Any of those teams could legitimately contend for a conference title and probably a College Football Playoff berth in the new 12-team format.

That possibility is much lower for Kentucky.

NIL dollars always enter into the equation, but any of the teams listed above could probably meet or exceed any NIL money that Vandagriff will get at Kentucky.

The best explanation is that Vandagriff’s biggest interest is in raising his personal profile and draft status, and that playing for Kentucky, who had success with both Will Levis and Devin Leary as transfer entrants, will give him that opportunity. His father seemed to echo that sentiment.

“What they did with Will Levis is a lot like what Brock can do as a quarterback,” Greg Vandagriff, Brock’s father told the Athens Banner-Herald. “It sort of meets his quarterback traits. [Wildcats offensive coordinator Liam] Coen came highly recommended.”

Again, this is the world we now live in. Premier, blue chip players are looking out for number one, and thinking less about a football program or a team. It’s not their fault, and it’s not necessarily wrong, but it does lead to some interesting life choices.

Even 10 years ago, the idea of a five-star quarterback who is playing on a two-time national championship team transferring to Kentucky would have seemed like a parody story coming from Sports Pickle, but not today.

In the world of NIL and the transfer portal, the most bizarre player-school combinations can be a reality.

Best of luck to Vandagriff and all his new teammates. Here’s hoping for an 11-1 season, with the Wildcats’ only loss coming to 12-0 Georgia.