What caused Georgia football players to go 'nuts" before practice on Tuesday?
Georgia football players heard an announcement in their team meeting before Tuesday’s practice. It had nothing to do with the game plan for Saturday’s opener with UT Martin or the pregame itinerary. On NFL cutdown day, players got word that wide receiver Kearis Jackson had made the Tennessee Titans’ 53-player roster.
“The whole team went nuts,” said coach Kirby Smart, who got a text from Jackson with the news. “Kearis was just ecstatic. Who better deserves that then a guy that went through two, three, four injuries.
He was on the leadership SEC committee and represented this university on every board he can be on. He stood before the team and led, just an unbelievable leader. ” “Shoot, the guys that have been here and seen his time, we all clapped,” nose guard Zion Logue said.
“It brought chills in my body. I’m grateful to hear that. The injuries and touches he didn’t get here, I feel like he’s going to get those in the league.
” Jackson left Georgia with two national championship rings, but had just 21 catches for 320 yards with no touchdowns last season. He had a key 35-yard catch in Georgia’s final scoring drive in the Peach Bowl win over Ohio State. Jackson made his share of clutch catches during his Georgia career when he finished with 55 catches for 1,107 yards and 4 touchdowns across five seasons.
His biggest game stat wise came against Auburn in 2020 when he had 9 catches for 147 yards. “He had all the cards stacked against him and he still overcame all that and made it in of the toughest thing in sports, to make the 53-man roster,” Smart said. Jackson offers special teams experience.
He averaged 21. 7 yards on 18 kickoff returns last season. “That’s our brother,” safety Javon Bullard said.
“That’s huge. I was going to call him later just to congratulate him. … I’m proud of him.
He’s motivation to me. A guy that put so much work in and it’s finally paying off for him. " Smart provided the latest updates on running backs returning from injuries.
He said that Daijun Edwards (knee) practiced in a non-contact jersey and Kendall Milton (hamstring) practiced in a regular jersey. He said he “felt good” about both players. “They both look good,” Smart said.
“We’re giving a lot of reps to a lot of other guys because we have other guys to get prepared for. ” Georgia practices have been closed this week to the media. Smart said that inside linebacker Smael Mondon (foot) “has done everything in practice this week.
Cornerback Kamari Lassiter (foot sprain) has “done everything out there,” Smart said. .