UGA linebacker to transfer

UGA linebacker Brandon Burrows has been granted an unconditional transfer, the University of Georgia has said.

Mark Richt, Georgia’s coach said: “Brandon is an outstanding person, student-athlete and has a wonderful family. We’ve enjoyed having him as part of our program and will provide whatever assistance we can in his transition. I am completely understanding of his decision and wish him nothing but the best.”

Burrows’ statement said: “I came out of high school playing the defensive end position in a 4-3 defense which is what I truly love. The coaching change here led to a 3-4 defense. I have worked with that transition but decided that I want to get back to playing defensive end. I think another program may give me the best opportunity to succeed at that. I’m eternally grateful for the opportunity Coach Richt has given me at UGA and for the fact that he gave me an unconditional release. I know I’ll be hard-pressed to find a group of coaches and players that will develop into the leaders and friends that I have known here in Athens.”

Burrows had not played for Georgia in anger, after redshirting in his first season and being forced to miss his sophomore season after shoulder surgery.

Burrows came out of his high school in Marietta, Ga. as one of Rivals’ top 30 defensive ends in the country and in his junior year in high schools he had 10 sacks.

BOTTOM LINE: Mark Richt would obviously have liked to keep Burrows for depth reasons, but Burrows wanted a starting job, and possibly hopes to get it in 2012 – despite not playing a moment in anger since his junior year of high school. In his past he’d been recruited by Alabama, Florida, Clemson, NC State and Oklahoma (amongst others) – could one of them come in again to give the kid a fresh start? Georgia fans will hope it won’t be the Tide or Gators!