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Georgia Bulldogs Countdown to Kickoff: Day 12

Jake Reuseby:Jake Reuse•08/22/22•

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 02: Wide receiver Tavarres King #12 of the Georgia Bulldogs looks for a pass receptions against the Michigan State Spartans in the Outback Bowl January 2, 2012 at Raymond James Stadium, in Tampa, Florida. Officials said the pass was not complete. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Admit it. You’ve already picked out your game-day outfit. You’ve started stocking the fridge with frosty beverages. You’ve been scanning your local Kroger/Costco/Piggly Wiggly/Ingles/Food Lion/Bi-Lo/Save-a-Lot or other fine grocery purveyors for the best deals on grilling items. The TV screens are getting polished. The lucky visor is front and center. You’re just 12 days away from Georgia football. It’s time.

And 12 got me thinking of a guy I really loved watching during his tenure in Athens.

That’s Tavarres King.

TK signed with Georgia as a member of the Class of 2008, so his freshman year would have been my final one in Athens (at least as a student).

A four-star recruit and the nation’s No. 106 overall prospect in the class for that cycle, King would make the short drive down to Athens from Mt. Airy, Georgia and his high school playing home at Habersham Central to join the Dawgs.

That was good news for everyone involved.

King would go on to put together an outstanding career with the Bulldogs over his tenure in the Classic City.

An ankle injury would cost him his freshman year, but a medical redshirt would ultimately afford him another four years with Georgia.

Each was better than the last.

In 2009, he would return from injury and post 18 receptions for 377 yards and a touchdown.

In 2010, the number would increase to 27 receptions and 504 yards, with three touchdowns to boot.

In 2011, it was 47 receptions for 705 yards and eight touchdowns.

That would include a 205-yard performance, the largest single game in Georgia history by a receiver, against the Michigan State Spartans in the Outback Bowl.

And finally, in his 2012 senior season with the Bulldogs, King would cement himself among the greatest to play the position in Athens from a statistical standpoint. 

He would see a slight drop in receptions, down to a very respectable 42, but his 950 yards would be among the single biggest seasons in Georgia history. He would also tack on 9 touchdowns, as well.

Ultimately, King stands as number four on the all-time receiving yardage chart for the Bulldogs, a mere 17 yards behind AJ Green for third on the list, and his 21 career receiving touchdowns ranks third in that category.

Among Georgia receivers with over 100 career receptions, his all-time career average per catch is No. 1 at 19.1 per.

King would ultimately play for six NFL teams after being drafted in the third round by the Broncos in 2013.

And for a personal anecdote, he was a hell of a student teacher at Clarke Central High School during my tenure with the Gladiators. Shoutout to my good buddy, Johnny Anderson, for showing him the ropes.

But today, we’re honoring him for his sizable contributions to the Dawgs, and there’s no question TK is among the best to have done it in red and black.

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