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I have been thinking about this guy for a couple days after reading pro day stuff and passing on punt return duties etc. I want to take a moment and recognize him for the sheer depth of his contributions to our program. Let's just stop and think about how many times he saved our bacon. This list is just going off memory at the moment and I am sure there is more I am leaving out:
Huge punt return against USC Sun Bowl that flipped the script and put us in the driver's seat in a close contest.
KO return for TD against UNC 2013 that kept our momentum in a barn burner of a game. Without that single play to start half two, things could have been way different.
Pick 6 going the length of the field against Clemson 2014 that was essentially a 14 point swing in a game where our offense had trouble finishing drives. Do we win without that play?
Crushing hit in Orange Bowl where he reads option quickly and hustles into position to make the perfectly timed hit as the ball arrives. Think about the flow of the game when that play happened. Think of the yards MSST was racking up. Do we keep momentum and win without that play?
Huge interceptions and break ups at critical times in several games, MIAMI 2014 being one. The "no fly zone" was a theme that repeated itself over and over.
I guess part of the the reason I want to talk about him is, in my estimation, he was the most instinctive and intelligent defensive player we have had since Morgan Burnett. I'm sure some of you will add to my list of plays, as well you should, but when you do, also consider the kind of numbers he put up on GT's Pro Day. He made all of these critical, game changing plays, with below average safety body size, running a 40 in the 4.6s, 9 bench reps etc etc. I am a huge Golden fan because he shows how important the intangible stuff is to any sport. He put the time in watching film and played the game with the 6 inches between his ears, all while representing GT as a great ambassador.
Bravo Jamal! and good luck.
Huge punt return against USC Sun Bowl that flipped the script and put us in the driver's seat in a close contest.
KO return for TD against UNC 2013 that kept our momentum in a barn burner of a game. Without that single play to start half two, things could have been way different.
Pick 6 going the length of the field against Clemson 2014 that was essentially a 14 point swing in a game where our offense had trouble finishing drives. Do we win without that play?
Crushing hit in Orange Bowl where he reads option quickly and hustles into position to make the perfectly timed hit as the ball arrives. Think about the flow of the game when that play happened. Think of the yards MSST was racking up. Do we keep momentum and win without that play?
Huge interceptions and break ups at critical times in several games, MIAMI 2014 being one. The "no fly zone" was a theme that repeated itself over and over.
I guess part of the the reason I want to talk about him is, in my estimation, he was the most instinctive and intelligent defensive player we have had since Morgan Burnett. I'm sure some of you will add to my list of plays, as well you should, but when you do, also consider the kind of numbers he put up on GT's Pro Day. He made all of these critical, game changing plays, with below average safety body size, running a 40 in the 4.6s, 9 bench reps etc etc. I am a huge Golden fan because he shows how important the intangible stuff is to any sport. He put the time in watching film and played the game with the 6 inches between his ears, all while representing GT as a great ambassador.
Bravo Jamal! and good luck.
