Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint recalls TD grab, journey to that moment
ATHENS, Ga. — For the first time this season and only the second time in his career, junior wide receiver Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint his way into the end zone early in the second quarter on Saturday in Georgia’s win over Tennessee. The score extended the Bulldogs’ lead to 21-3, but it was bigger than that. For Rosemy-Jacksaint, it marked a milestone in his career: the first touchdown since his devastating ankle injury as a freshman against Florida. Over two years later, that play sticks his him in the back of his mind and gives him an appreciation for being able to play the sport that he loves.
“It’s been a long journey, a lot of ups and downs, a lot of minor injuries, between all of that of what happened. It’s definitely been a long journey,” Rosemy-Jacksaint said. “I’m just grateful and thankful to be in the position I’m in right now. And to still be able to play the game I love with my teammates.”
When Rosemy-Jacksaint spoke with reporters after the game, he had not yet seen a replay of the touchdown grab, an impressive one that required a perfect throw from Stetson Bennett to avoid the Tennessee defenders and an athletic play by Rosemy-Jacksaint to get his feet down in bounds in the back of the end zone. On Wednesday, he explained how the play went down and what allowed him to connect with Bennett on the grab.
“It’s something that’s just timing, I guess. Timing between the quarterback and the wide receiver, that’s something that we always work on daily. With Stetson and all the other quarterbacks. So we were just on the same page on that play…That was a great throw by Stetson, he put it right on the money. It couldn’t be any better.”
Now in his junior season, it’s no secret that Rosemy-Jacksaint is one of the leaders in the wide receiver room. He’s been through ups and downs himself and with the team. There was the 2020 season, one where Georgia didn’t make it to the SEC Championship. There was also the 2021 season where the Bulldogs hoisted the National Championship trophy. And through it all, Rosemy-Jacksaint has been there as a contributor. He’s been known for his blocking, but according to both Georgia head coach Kirby Smart and one of Rosemy-Jacksaint’s teammates, Ladd McConkey, he’s embracing a bigger role both on and off the field.
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“He’s done a great job. He’s one of the most competitive, best guys that works really hard,” Smart said during Wednesday’s SEC Coaches teleconference call. “He does a great job every day for us. I know that was rewarding for him. It was a hell of a throw and a catch. I’m really proud of everything he’s done from a leadership standpoint for our team.”
“Marcus has been a huge factor since he got here,” McConkey added. “Obviously getting hurt his freshman year and then being able to get back in the end zone this week, that was awesome. He works so hard every single day, every week, so for him to be able to get in the end zone and to see how much joy it brought to him it shows how much the hard work is paying off. For him to be able to do that, there’s not a guy that’s more deserving than him I feel like.”
Rosemy-Jacksaint and the rest of the Bulldogs go on the road this week to Starkville, Miss. to take on Mississippi State. Kickoff time from Davis Wade Stadium is set for 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.
