Georgia football: Bulldog fans’ five favorite players, besides Herschel Walker

5. Champ Bailey – Cornerback and wide receiver

When thinking of some of the best athletes to come through the University of Georgia, Champ Bailey is for sure at the top of that list.

Roland “Champ” Bailey had a great career playing for Georgia and one that is still remembered by many to this day. Champ was a great all-around player and one who could not only play cornerback but also served as a wide receiver and kick returner for the Dawgs.

Like in the NFL, opposing quarterbacks rarely threw Bailey’s way. When they took took the risk, he made them pay with eight career interceptions, taking one to the end zone in 1997. He deflected seven passes as a senior in 1998 and also made 52 tackles that year.

While opposing quarterbacks avoided Bailey, Georgia’s passer sought him out. In his career, Bailey racked up 978 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 59 catches.

His highlight as a two-way player came against Auburn in 1998. Bailey was on the field for a career-high 119 plays that day. Georgia won the game 28-17. Bailey caught five passes for 68 yards and added 29 yards on the ground. He ended Auburn’s hopes of a comeback with an interception in the fourth quarter. Bailey had five more 100-play games in 1998.

After his three years at Georgia, Bailey was drafted 7th overall in the 1999 NFL draft and would serve 15 years in the NFL. Bailey joined the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

Bailey put together a great football career both in college and the pros and racked up an impressive line of accolades throughout his career. He was a consensus All-American in 1998 and won the Bronco Nagurski Award, which is given annually to the best defensive player in the nation. In the NFL. he made the Pro-Bowl 12 times and was voted All-Pro three times.