Javon Bullard celebrated back home with parade, key to the city
Javon Bullard was celebrated in Baldwin County this time last year for being a part of a National Championship winning team. A freshman, the Milledgeville, Ga. native was little more than a body to run down on special teams, playing a total of 138 snaps with 12 tackles.
This time around, Bullard is being celebrated as more than just a part of Georgia’s second straight National Championship. Bullard finished fifth on the team in tackles, started 10 games at STAR and earned Defensive MVP for the Bulldogs in BOTH the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl semifinal win over Ohio State and the College Football Playoff Championship Game victory against TCU, forcing three turnovers in the 65-7 drubbing of the Horned Frogs.
“I mean, this place is special. It’s special to all of us. I know it’s special to Coach Smart and I know it’s special to me,” Bullard told reporters the morning after the title game win. “Just growing up as a kid from the state of Georgia, playing for the University of Georgia, it’s special. So the word ‘dynasty,’ it’s something we’re building together. And that was built before us and it’s going to continue to be built after us. So we’re just trying to leave our legacy and leave this place in good hands.”
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Bullard returns to Georgia for 2023 and is likely to be a big part of a secondary that’s expected to once again be one of the best in the country. Alongside Bullard are returnees at both cornerback and safety, Kamari Lassiter and Malaki Starks. Furthermore, Georgia added transfer Deyon Bouie from Texas A&M in the defensive backfield to go along with the other talented players the Bulldogs have signed over the last few cycles.
Bullard was named the No. 7 returning cornerback according to Pro Football Focus’ Max Chadwick last month, the only slot corner to make the cut.
The only slot corner on this list, Bullard was an honorable mention All-American for PFF this past season. The sophomore’s 79.3 grade ranked third among Power Five slot corners this season. He only surrendered 0.88 yards per coverage snap from the slot, sixth in that same group. Bullard’s 82.6 grade in zone coverage ranked fourth among all Power Five corners as well.
Max Chadwick – Pro Football Focus
Bullard and the Bulldogs begin spring practice this coming week on Tuesday, March 14th. Kirby Smart and the Georgia coaching staff will put the team through 15 practice sessions, including three scrimmages, over the course of just more than a month, culminating with the G-Day spring game on April 15th at Sanford Stadium. Smart and select players are expected to speak with the media on Tuesday to get things underway.
