Georgia Football countdown to kickoff: 82 days to go

86: Randy McMichael

Of course, one can’t talk about Georgia football and the number 86 without mentioning Randy McMichael. One of the best tight ends in school history, as well as one of the best former Bulldogs to play in the NFL. Including his time at Georgia, McMichael was a big name TE for over 10 years.

At Georgia, he finished his career with 1,213 receiving yards and five touchdowns in three seasons. His best year was 2000 where he caught 32 passes for 475 yards with one score. But the biggest moment of his career was probably in the final moments of the 2001 Tennessee game.

The Volunteers had just scored on a long screen pass to electrify their home crowd and took a lead with less than a minute to go. McMichael cut off a squib kick and ran out to the Georgia 45-yard line to give David Greene great field position. With Georgia facing a second and 10 from the Vols 47, Greene threw a bullet over the middle to McMichael. The ball went in between two defenders and McMichael made the catch and went down just outside the red zone. Greene targeted him again he made another tough grab to place the offense at the six-yard line.

On the following play, Greene hit Verron Haynes on the “Hobnail Boot” play to defeat Tennessee in Knoxville. McMichael, one of the leaders of the offense could be seen rushing his offense to get to the line of scrimmage after both of his catches.

Everyone remembers Greene’s play-action, Haynes catch and Larry Munson’s legendary radio call. But McMichael made three huge plays to put Georgia in position to score that touchdown and to win the game.

McMichael in the NFL

The Miami Dolphins drafted McMichael 114th overall in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft. he had five outstanding seasons in Miami. He started every game for the Dolphins in those five years.

He burst on the scene with an amazing rookie season where he caught 39 passes for 439 yards and four touchdowns. The following year he had 598 yards and in his third season, he caught 73 passes for 791 yards and four touchdowns. The next year, he dipped down to 582 yards, but he caught a career high five touchdowns.

He left Miami after the 2006 season and had a pair of good years with the St. Louis Rams. He spent his final three seasons with the San Diego Chargers. His career stats include 426 catches, for 4,539 yards with 24 touchdowns.