Kelee Ringo embraces challenge, rises to the occasion in Tennessee win

ATHENS, Ga. — Kelee Ringo has been criticized in the last couple of weeks. Last Saturday against Florida, Ringo was tested by wide receiver Justin Shorter. He mistimed his jump in an attempt to break up the pass – or even better, pick it off. Instead of Ringo making a big play, Shorter came down with a long reception.

That’s not the only time this season that the redshirt sophomore cornerback has been picked on. Sure, incredibly talented and Georgia’s top option at the position, but sometimes that talent doesn’t come through in his performance. His skills are still a little bit raw, and at times, that comes through on tape.

As a result, Ringo knew that he was going to be challenged in Saturday’s matchup between the Bulldogs and the top-ranked Tennessee Volunteers at Sanford Stadium. Heisman Trophy contender Hendon Hooker and his offense came in with one of the top passing units in the country. Wide receiver Jalin Hyatt led the country in receiving touchdowns with 14. Ringo knew that and was ready for the challenge.

“He’s resilient. He’s a competitor, you know?,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said. “He texted me, I think it was Sunday morning as we were getting ready for Tennessee. He was like, ‘Can I come see you?’ I’m like, ‘What’s going on?’ He said, ‘I want No. 11 (Hyatt).’ I’m like, ‘Well, that’s not the game plan. That’s not what we’re doing. We’re going to do it the way we think’s best. I appreciate your energy, your enthusiasm, but we’re going to put a plan together and we’re going to ask you to execute it. And he bought into that. He practiced really hard this week. It was important to him to play well.”

Ringo finished second on the team in tackles in the 27-13 win over Tennessee with seven stops. His biggest impact however came on a second quarter interception. Hooker threw deep to Cedric Tillman, who went for 200 receiving yards on Georgia last season. Ringo was with him step for step before jumping up – this time, timed perfectly – and coming down with it to keep Tennessee from scoring.

“It was a great feeling honestly, just because I continue to work my feet and continue to work on my technique every single play to be able to get hands on a receiver and stay on top,” Ringo said. “Looking up for the ball in the air and just maintaining my speed and just coming down with the ball.”

“Coach Schumann actually told me a couple times — he knows that I’ve had a lot of opportunities to actually get interceptions throughout the season, but he said just continue to work on my technique, and the one that I do get is going to feel much better,” Ringo added. “For it to happen this way today, I’m extremely blessed for it to happen.”

It’s Ringo’s first interception of the season and came in a game he also had his season-high total for tackles. To do so in a situation that he embraced going into it just made it that much more special.

“Continuing to work hard,” Ringo said when asked what he felt like he proved on Saturday. “There’s been a lot of times in past games and throughout the season that I wasn’t happy with my play. I have a lot to improve technique-wise and finding the ball. I feel like I wasn’t doing that in past weeks. So continuing to compete every single play, that’s what I’m working on.”

“Belief in myself, every single snap,” he added. “If you don’t believe in yourself, who will? I feel like I’m out there for a reason. Coach Smart and the rest of the defensive staff put me out there for a reason. It’s great to know that you have a team behind you.”

Georgia is back in action next Saturday in Starkville, Miss. going up against another offense that’s sure to test Ringo and company. Mike Leach’s Mississippi State air raid attack threw for 336 yards on 41-of-52 passing last time the two teams faced off in 2020. Kickoff for next Saturday’s game is set for 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.