Another off-season, and another change on the Bulldogs’ defensive back roster. Within 24 hours, sophomores Brendan Langley and J.J. Green have announced their plans to transfer.
“Brendan came to me and expressed an interest in moving to another institution that may provide more playing opportunity,” Head coach Mark Richt said Monday night. “ I told him I understood and wish him nothing but the best.”
Less than 24 hours later, UGA Athletics announced that Green would also be transferring out of the program.
“J.J. and I talked a couple of times and he wanted the opportunity to be an offensive player,” Richt said. “He decided another school would better afford him that opportunity. We’ll help him in any way we can to find the right place.”
Both players saw less time this season after switching positions. As a freshman, Langley recorded 12 tackles in nine games and started four games. In the spring, he was moved to wide receiver, then back to cornerback in the fall after not seeing any time on offense. Langley finished his sophomore season with four tackles in five games.
Green saw action in all 13 games as a true freshman last year at tailback, finishing second on the team in rushing. He had 384 yards on 68 carries with three touchdowns, and also had 104 receiving yards on 12 catches. He also saw time on special teams with seven kickoff returns for 168 yards. This season, Green played in eight games and finished the season with nine tackles.
It has not yet been announced what schools the two players will transfer to, but Langley will stay on the defensive side of the ball while Green will be moving back to offense.
Their transfers mark the tenth defensive back to either transfer, have been dismissed, or went down with an injury in the past year. Despite all the changes in the secondary, Georgia finished this season with the No. 3 pass defense in the nation under new defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt.
*Section Photo credit to Wesley Hitt, Getty Images; Featured Photo (above) credit to Daniel Shirey, USA Today Sports.
