Georgia Football: Three seniors opt-out of bowl game
By Eric Taylor
Georgia football is going to be without a few seniors for its bowl game.
After having their game against Vanderbilt canceled, it is officially bowl season for Georgia football. Georgia was unable to find an opponent for this weekend and now looks forward to whatever bowl they will play in to end their season. Even though Georgia has not yet committed to a bowl game, three seniors have chosen to opt-out.
According to a report by Anthony Dasher of UGASports.com, those seniors that have decided to opt-out are Tre McKitty, DJ Daniel, and Monty Rice. Daniel and Rice aren’t very surprising as both have fought to play through injuries this season. Playing hurt is tough especially when the injury affect a leg or a foot.
Here is how The Draft Network has Rice, McKitty, and Daniel ranked on their draft board as of right now:
152
Monty Rice ILB
171
Tre' McKitty TE
243
DJ Daniel CB
Rice will leave Georgia football after finishing 2019 and 2020 as the team leader in tackles. Rice made 219 total tackles, 10.5 for loss, while at Georgia. He also had two sacks, five pass deflections, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one touchdown. Rice has been a great leader while at Georgia and has set a great example of what every Georgia Bulldog should strive to be.
McKitty just arrived on Georgia football’s campus this season. He was a transfer from Florida State. He will leave Georgia after catching six passes for 108 yards and a touchdown this season. Even though McKitty wasn’t on campus long he made quite an impact. Maybe not so much in the passing game, but his blocking sprang more than a few runs.
Daniel was also a transfer, however, he was a JUCO transer that arrived in Athens in 2019. Over the last two season with Georgia he has made 51 tackles, three for loss, and broken up nine passes. His stats won’t jump off the page at you, but the job of a cornerback is to take your man away from the quarterback and that is exactly what Daniel does. Hence the lack of opportunities to make a play on the ball.
All three of these young men will be missed and Dawgnation wishes them all the best in their future. Every college kid dreams of the day they can play in the NFL and the moment has arrived for these gentlemen. They have decided to opt-out and not risk losing this opportunity to play at the next level. Which makes a lot of sense when you think about it.
These seniors have fulfilled their obligation to the school and now it is their time to concentrate on their future and where they want to go. The best thing to do for them now is to support them and to respect their decision. There is absolutely no reason to be angry with them for taking their future into consideration and sitting out an exhibition game. Instead, support them and their chance to create a successful future for themselves and their families.