The All-Time Underappreciated Georgia Football Team
A quarterback sets the tone for a team, and Larry Rakestraw sets the tone for the All-Time Georgia Football Underappreciated squad. Playing during the darkest period in Georgia football history, 1961-1963, coached by Johnny Griffith, Rakestraw’s teams went 10-16 – 4 and the program hit rock bottom.
The rushing leader for the 1963 team, Rakestraw also threw 1297 yards after throwing for 1135 in 1962 in the restricted blocking rules era. He ranks eighth all –time on the Georgia career offensive plays list and for all three years led the team in total offense.
There were moments revealing the breadth of Rakestraw’s abilities. In 1963, Rakestraw outgunned Miami’s legendary quarterback George Mira, throwing for 407 yards in Miami’s Orange Bowl, setting an NCAA major college record with 25 completions, a new SEC record, and amassing 417 total yards, also a new SEC record.
Drafted by the Chicago Bears in 1964, Rakestraw is one of nine Georgia quarterbacks be drafted by an NFL team.
Honorable Mention: Andy Johnson, Jeff Pyburn, James Jackson and Hutson Mason. Johnson and Pyburn brought their teams to the brink of an SEC Championship. James Jackson’s fourth quarter drive beat Georgia Tech to end a two game drought against the Jackets. Hutson Mason’s legacy is 10 seconds short of being a fourth down touchdown pass to beat Georgia Tech in his last game in Sanford Stadium.
Next: Running Backs