Georgia reportedly loses WR to transfer portal after 2 seasons with the program
Georgia receiver AD Mitchell is entering the transfer portal, according to a report.
On3’s Jake Rowe was first to report the news of his departure. Mitchell was a 4-star prospect in Georgia’s 2021 recruiting class.
Breaking over at @DawgsHQ#UGA wideout AD Mitchell is entering the transfer portalhttps://t.co/9vcoHOeuRC
— Jake Rowe (@JakeMRowe) January 18, 2023
Mitchell didn’t put up massive numbers during his time at Georgia, but he always came up clutch in big moments. Mitchell caught 1 touchdown pass in each of Georgia’s 4 College Football Playoff games over the past 2 seasons.
He also scored in Georgia’s blowout win over Oregon in Week 1 earlier this season. Additionally, he scored in wins over South Carolina and Auburn as a true freshman in 2021.
Mitchell departs Georgia with 38 catches for 588 yards and 7 touchdowns in his career. He missed the majority of the 2022 campaign with an ankle injury.
Mitchell is originally from Missouri City, Texas. He will have 2 years of eligibility remaining at his next destination.
Bummer….that sucks…and doesn’t really make much sense to me. He was probably going to be one of the top two receivers on the team if he stayed healthy. At least Ladd is coming back.
Wish him luck wherever he goes (I’m hearing rumors of Texas), but still bummed, wish he would’ve stuck it out.
Add talent (Thomas, Lovett), expect to lose talent. I wish AD all the best, but he’ll be a distant memory by December.
Just image what Arian Smith can do if he puts together a healthy season from Fall Camp until the last game. Rosemy-Jacksaint is a stud in his own right, Dillion Bell flashed as a true freshman. McConkey playing slot 99% of the time. Then, as you note, 2 proven SEC WR’s transferring in.
The biggest worry at this point is the new QB meshing with the WR’s and TE’s.
I think the added talent was because they knew he was on his way out
It makes plenty of success. Ladd McConkey has the most receiving yards ever under Kirby Smart, and that was only 760 yards – 50 a game – in a 15 game season. The #2, #3 and #4 WRs only had 300 and 200 yards, including Kearis Jackson, who entered the draft because he knew there was no point in returning and Dominick Blaylock who transferred.
UGA’s system doesn’t allow WRs to put up the numbers necessary to become anything more than 6th round draft picks and undrafted free agents in the NFL. The only exception are guys who can run a 4.3 40 like Mecole Hardman or who have super elite ability like George Pickens. So what do you expect WRs who have the talent to do more to do?
This is 100% correct. If this isn’t a bluff by AD for a better NIL deal, than it’s about the numbers. On any team where the TE is the leading receiver, it’s a long term no go. This season UGA did pass the ball better and that was further proof it still wasn’t a system that benefits the WR’s to break out. Let alone win a Biletnikoff award. AD would have a better chance and increase his stock at a place like TN.
This is just a kid wanting to play closer to home at Texas…you two keep Georgia on your mind more than Ray Charles did…hey gwhite tell us all how UGA isn’t as good as last year and how they always lose in the postseason…
Ouch, that one hurts
Yes it does hurt. Word is this was known inside for some time and part of the reason the two transfers were brought in.
This is why I said all season, get your WR’s more involved or they walk. It’s not enough to even win a natty. They had to get their production numbers for the next level consideration. UGA’s system isn’t really designed to benefit WR’s to the point of early round draft picks, nor Biletnikoff winners.
“It’s not enough to even win a Natty…”
Lucky for the Vols lol lol
Wow. Didn’t expect this one. Dude showed up in the big games but hoping he finds success at his next program.
I appreciate his contributions to Georgia’s back-to-back titles. He was integral to our success.
And I hope he finds as much success at his next stop as Jermaine Burton had at Alabama.
Ouch….don’t wish such a poor fate on such a good dawg haha
You don’t know what you are talking about. The truth is that Burton set career highs in catches, yards and TDs at Alabama and did so by some margin. Meanwhile the #2 WR at Georgia, Jacksaint, had half the receiving yards that Burton did despite playing in 2 more games. Burton didn’t put up good enough numbers to jump to the NFL this season as he intended, but he certainly put up better numbers than he would have had he remained in Athens. And in case you didn’t notice, Ladd McConkey didn’t put up good enough numbers to enter the NFL either. McConkey’s receiving yards per game were actually LESS than Burton’s.
If Burton had stayed at UGA then he has a break-out 2022 season; McConkey with his nagging knee issue, A.D. with his injuries, Smith battling injuries etc. Good chance Burton would have been the receiving yards leader and then off to the NFL for 2023. Burton would have definitely garnered another NC ring.
But wow O wow did Burton take out that girl after the humiliating loss at rocky top!!!!
Is it not weird gwhite has more comments on this article to any UGA fan?
that wasn’t meant to comment here, but whatever.
LMAO
He’ll come to TN where the system to get him the numbers he needs to go to the NFL, he’ll get. I mean you can go from unknown to Biletnikoff winner in one year at TN. lol. This is why I said, great, your winning with a TE in leading receiver, but that comes at a price if you aren’t feeding your WR’s enough.
He’s going to Texas di*k head
That’s OK…. Back2Back since 1998!
Oh wow. Didn’t expect this.
Big Oil money in play here,but after 2 Nattys I which him nothing but the best. He had a better impact than Heinz Ward did at Georgia.
A.D. Mitchell had more of impact at UGA than Hines Ward did,
you’re be sarcastic, right?
He has to be.
Blasphemy. And its Hines Ward dummy.
Heinz, as in Pittsburgh. Actually a somewhat clever play on words there.
I don’t think it was intentionally clever I think he’s just only seen the name spelled out when covering his well-done steak in ketchup.
If UGA doesn’t lose anymore WR’s then UGA has a lot of talent in the WR room for 2023, especially with the Miss St and Mizzou transferees coming in. As everybody knows Monken spreads the ball around a lot; as good as Mitchell is UGA won the NC without Mitchell’s services for the most part. Maybe Mitchell wants to go somewhere where he is the clear #1 and gets lots of targets, 2023 will be Mitchell’s money year.
He’s originally from Texas and Texas is handing out the money. What kind of WR depth does Texas have?
The play against Oregon where Mitchell was blocking for McConkey, were Mitchell was absolutely abusing the Oregon player, one of the best plays of 2023.
As long as he leaves the SEC I’m fine with it. Would hate to play against AD. He’s just too good to keep out of the end zone
He could still be playing when Texas enters the SEC in 2024
I will be honest with you. Already hearing whispers of TN going after him. He was on board with TN in the beginning than to Ole Miss, than UGA. He’d be an asset. Not sure he’d be a leading WR or anything at TN but would be great at wideout with Bru McKoy.
Yes he could help Tennessee finish 2nd or 3rd again..but he’s going to Texas di$k head…
I think you got some great WR talent, but you need a more dynamic system that feeds them constantly. Todd Monken does not have that at UGA. The dynamics aren’t really there for that. TN might be interested in him and he was predicted to us before he went to Ole Miss. He wouldn’t be, “the WR” at TN but could be the second or third best if he leaned the offense well enough.
Yes UGA’s offense is terrible..they only scored 50,42,and 65 in the post season..I know but but but Missouri, Kentucky and Kent State…lol can’t wait to read your bs gar bage again next season…you’re never right about anything but you’re very entertaining…
UT claimed the “Dynamic National Title” 2 years in a row! UT back to back!!!!
Well. We have Cavier worthy, Isaiah neyor, Jordan Whittington, AD Mitchell, Jadavian blue, Jante Cook. Most are 4-5 stars who will go to the NFL. Sark doing an excellent job recruiting. We always recruited well but never efficient. We would recruit a few positions but never as we used to do from 2002-2008 where we would recruit the trenches and skill positions efficiently.
No guarantees of the future. But it seems a quick million through NIL may seem better than a future 2.5m a year in the NFL, which is only a possibility. Staying with a team seems to give a better option with the draft. But that is no guarantee. However with new talent coming, I saw 2023 as a year AD could rise to the top for UGA and possibly be a late first rounder next year. Changing teams may drop him a couple rounds which will cost him big in salary.
Not always the case, as Justin Fields did pretty good. And Bo Nix or JT Daniels may have never fared better either way.
Bo Nix had a very good 2022, he improved his stock. Bo thrived and AU crashed and burned.
J-TD, the only good thing about his transfer was proof that Kirby and staff actually do know how to manage the QB room.
“Staying with a team seems to give a better option with the draft.”
With all due respect, what on earth makes you say this? Under Kirby Smart, no WR who doesn’t run a 4.3 40 (Hardman) or have ridiculous athletic ability (Pickens) or isn’t the brother of a 1st round pick (Ridley) has gotten drafted in th the first 4 rounds. If you look at the numbers that the 2-4 WRs Jacksaint, Jackson and Blaylock put up last season – 350 yards or less – they weren’t either.
It absolutely makes sense for guys like Burton, Mitchell etc. to leave a program that has no record of – or inclination to – develop WRs for the NFL in favor of programs and coaches that do. As I mentioned just now on Dawgnation, Steve Sarkisian had 4 future #1 draft picks at WR on his 2020 team, and it would have been 5 had Metchie not torn up his knee in the title game 4 months before the draft (and he still went in the 2nd round). And no, those 5 guys generally did not have Pickens’ athletic ability or Hardman’s speed. They just got to catch plenty of balls in college to showcase and develop their skills. By contrast, Hardman despite his 4.3 speed did not do this, and as a result he is a bust. He has Pat Mahomes getting him the ball and can’t reach 700 receiving yards in a single season. By contrast Devonta Smith had almost 1000 yards his rookie season when Jalen Hurts was struggling with the concept of an NFL forward pass and has 1200 yards this year despite sharing the load with AJ Brown and Hurts missing 2 games due to injury.
Yes, Justin Fields, who was a 1st round pick and is an NFL starter, made the right decision to leave because there is absolutely no evidence that he would have become those things at UGA. And your Bo Nix thing is hilarious … the guy was a Heisman candidate until his coach cost them the Washington and Oregon State games with bizarre gameday coaching (even the announcers were questioning why Lanning kept going for it on 4th down and either turning down easy field goals or handing the opposing team the ball in great field position). Nix had 3600 yards and 30 TDs and 72% passing where at Auburn he never surpassed 2500 yards, 16 TDs or 61%. With another strong year – and better coaching – Nix will be a 1st or 2nd round draft pick, especially if the WRs that Lanning has been stockpiling – a 4 star guy in 2022 that redshirted last season and a pair more 4 star WRs in this class – contribute next season.
IN order for AD to improve, UGA would have to change their offense. IT’s not designed to give WR’s that many catches and numbers. If you roll with a TE as your leading receiver, your going to have WR issues. Unless your a pass heavy team, or run a lot of offensive plays. TN, guaranteed is very interested. We’re looking for that last WR.
For once gwhite you are correct. UGA’s offense is intentionally not designed to feature any one or even two skill players. However, what it is designed to do is embarrass defenses, much like Monk has been doing consistently to TN.
It is designed to win championships. Meanwhile in Knoxville…
1998
Makes zero sense unless it’s NIL $$$ again. The kid was lined up to be WR1 next season, correct?
Good chance Mitchell was WR1 in 2023 but Kirby and Monken really like to use lots of WR’s in the course of a game; then you’ve got Brock Bowers and the TE room. I don’t think any one WR can expect to get 8+ targets a game at UGA as long and there is ample talent in the WR room.
The transferees from Mizzou and Miss St are proven players, who knows how Mitchel stacks up against either one of those guys. Arian Smith is a guy who can literally take the top off any defense but he has been injury prone in his 3 seasons at UGA to date. Much like Mitchell his freshman year in 2021 Dillon Bell flashed in 2022 in his freshman year. If Bell experiences a 2nd year step-up in 2023 he is going to be a serious threat.
UGA is not a good offense for any one player to have a huge year and pad stats. Kirby won’t run the score up (TCU aside) and prefers to play lots of players.
Kirby didn’t run up the score on TCU, he backed off big time.
Running up the score is a myth anyway. Why should backups not be allowed to play full speed like starters when they work just as hard in practice, conditioning, etc.?
No, don’t blame Monken. Monken is UGA’s 3rd OC. No WR put up big numbers or got drafted high (without being a prodigy like Pickens or running a 4.3 like Hardman) either. The only constant here is Kirby Smart, and we can conclude that Smart doesn’t prioritize developing WRs for the NFL or putting them in position to be high draft picks. While the OLs, DLs, LBs, DBs and RBs who played under Kirby are doing great, the WRs are doing terrible. Hardman is a bust, and all the other WRs who played under Kirby except Isaiah McKenzie (who has hung around as a 4th/5th WR and return specialist) are out of the league.
Until Kirby improves this track record, top 100 WRs are rarely going to commit there, and guys are going to keep leaving after 2-3 years of getting 15 catches for 300 yards, if that.
No, Ladd McConkey was going to be the #1 WR. And McConkey, who had the best season for any WR under Kirby Smart, only had 762 yards in 15 games, or about 51 yards a game. The #2 WR had 350 yards. The #3 WR had 320 yards and has decided to take his degree and move on (maybe the Falcons will grab him in the 7th round to appease UGA fans). The #4 WR, a rare 5 star WR recruit for UGA, had 200 yards and hit the portal.
It would be different if this was year 1 or 2, but Smart has been at UGA for 6 years and is on his 3rd offensive coordinator. And WRs who leave UGA at times do in fact put up better numbers elsewhere. Matt Landers had 900 yards for Arkansas last year in 13 games despite the starting QB missing 2 games due to injury. (And the #2 WR had 700 yards). And for all the bashing that Jermaine Burton got, his numbers actually did increase from 26 catches for 497 yards and 5 TDs (again in 15 games) to 40 catches for 677 yards and 7 TDs. Yes, Burton had more yards per game than McConkey did, and this was despite the complete mess that Bama was on offense with the injury to Young, the OL issues and the lack of a vertical threat at WR or a functional TE (seriously what has been going on with Alabama’s recruiting on offense, DL and ILB the last 3 years?).
I repeat: 7 years under Kirby Smart and the only WRs to get taken in the first 4 rounds were the brother of a 1st round pick (Riley Ridley), a guy who ran a 4.3 (Mecole Hardman) and a guy who had rare natural ability that even a ton of 1st round pick WRs don’t have (George Pickens). Which means that based on all available evidence, Mitchell and the other guys who split weren’t going to get drafted higher than round 5 either.
Yes, and Kirby Smart was hired to develop #1 wide receivers for the NFL draft. He’s such a loser.
Exactly.
Lol…yeah Kirby is terrible at player development…if he ever learns anything about that he might win a NC or something…
How much is giving up a chance to three-peat worth? How much did Texas pay for that? If you can’t beat them, buy their players…
I think once you get the first one, the need to get a second or a third might lessen for some people, especially if they played a major part in getting those two. And frankly I’m fine with anyone who isn’t hungry for another championship seeking something else to play for. He’s got nothing to prove to anyone anymore. If he’s okay with a few more losses per season, that’s his right.
He will always have the catch against Bama in the championship game.
You mean like 2nd & 26?
Yes except AD’S is more recent
Wow, it’s already starting. You can win even a natty, even back to back but if that WR isn’t getting the catches and TD’s over a TE, he’s going to where he will. If you think TN is going to be all over about getting AD, your right. Hey AD, come to the place where you can go from unknown to Biletnikoff winner in one season! This is why UGA needs an NFL calibur arm with a more dynamic scheme designed to get the ball to their WR’s. The TE success of Bowers has been great but this is the cost. Data and numbers matter to WR’s.
Come to the number one offense in the nation with the number one QB in the nation, who’s been on campus since December and could start next season. We’ll make ya famous! =)
Yes he’ll famously lose to the school that he won championships with…lol ..you should be hoping for some defensive players..AD is going to Texas to be close to home…UGA will be just fine without him…
Does his dad have to lose a pinky in the process or is that reserved only for the really special players?
Fine, all teasing aside jawga fans. It’s a numbers thing. It’s great to win a title but to a WR, getting to the next level and in style means production numbers. You can’t feel good about a TE being the leading receiver on the team. This is a system issues for that WR, even if it brings the team success and wins. Your not drafted simply because you were on a national title team, but for your production numbers. Or hey, maybe this is just a big bluff for an NIL deal.
gwhite. You’re also not drafted simply because you got 10 – 15 targets a game in an offense that only feature 3 routes for their receivers.
Playing in a simplified offense, that uses two primary receiver’s is good for only one thing – stats. It’s not doing much else for the player’s development.
The true NFL system at Georgia prepares its receivers more thoroughly for the NFL. A.D. has gotten the best development and that’s a good thing in his favor. I hope he can stay healthy and have a great NFL career.
At the end of the day this is very likely tampering – poaching – Cam Newton style – pay for play.
Georgia will be just fine in the receiver department for 2023. If I was any other coach out there, I would be slow to celebrate this departure. Same for the fans of rival teams. – This just opened up another scholarship for Georgia. Who’s to say Kirby doesn’t have his people contact the people who know the best receiver on your team…
“It’s great to win a title, but . . .”
There is no “but”.
And it’s two titles. And counting.
Best comment all day.
He’s a Vol fan… “But” is all he has.
If AD Mitchell doesn’t get hurt in week 2, he would have had about 60 catches, almost 1,000 yards and 10+ TDs. He was the WR1. UGA fans feel plenty good about a TE who creates separation, wins all of the 50-50 balls, has breakaway speed, and forces more missed tackles than anyone else per opportunity.
Sorry to see him go. But, whatever. UGA will just keep on keeping on without him.
Yep they went through most of this season without him…UGA will still have a good wr room with the two transfers not to mention the great TE room…
Yep. UGA has six shiny new 4* WRs, so far, joining the team in 2023. They’ll be fine.
Monken does spread the ball out, yes. This system doesn’t stop an elite receiver from getting his numbers. I don’t know why we’re all acting like over the years Georgia has been marching out 1000 yard receivers before Kirby. I’m more concerned why receivers can’t stay healthy under Kirby.
McConkey is a slot receiver. His 700+ yards (while essentially missing 2 games btw) is actually a lot for a slot. Yes, a receiver in this system isn’t going to get a tonne of targets SCHEMED for them every game, but let’s be real, you don’t need the “stats” you need the film.
jay. Well said. They get the film at Georgia, and they also get the best development in a true pro-style system.
Unspoken (but if you look around it’s spoken plenty) about this situation is the tampering aspect. I don’t think that UGA will press the issue at all for 2 reasons.
1. I think they feel confident about their situation with him leaving. They basically didn’t have him all season and they didn’t really miss him too bad with guys like MRJ and Dillon Bell picking up that slack well enough. I think they’ve known for a while he would be leaving and their transfer pickups reflect that.
2. I think, not unlike most programs, they don’t want to point the finger only to have more pointed back at them. I’m not naïve to the possibility that UGA puts out feelers on players on other rosters. In the current system, everyone steals from their neighbor and no one accuses anyone because they are guilty of the same.
Agreed, as quickly as the two incoming wideouts came along. We’d be foolish to not think that there wasn’t some sort of tampering going on.
I doubt either come that quick without knowing the situations they’re coming into, which also points to knowing AD would be gone ahead of time. With McConks and Bowers returning. The QB is still the biggest question. I very much think Beck is the frontrunner, but more than ever i think that’s dependent on what the O-line looks like. I can see a situation where you see Brock (or Gunner) getting early game action as a running threat if there are staff concerns about the o-line.
Burton left last year and you have to wonder how much regret he has. I like AD but it will just be next man up on a team that may win another.
Something doesn’t add up, doesn’t make sense…