Former Bleckley County standout, UGA lineman Amarius Mims enters transfer portal
Former Bleckley County standout Amarius Mims is looking for a new football home.
Mims, the No. 8 overall prospect in the 2021 class, announced over the weekend his intention to leave the University of Georgia and enter the transfer portal.
The Bleckley County product becomes the third offensive lineman to enter the transfer portal for the Bulldogs since they won the title in January along with Clay Webb and Owen Condon. Condon has already landed at SMU while Webb entered the portal with Mims on Sunday.
He is already drawing interest from three Florida schools: Miami, Florida State and Flordia. Mims would need a release from UGA to transfer within the conference to be eligible next season, per SEC rules on intraconference transfers.
The 6-foot-7, 330-pound lineman from Cochran was competing for a starting position on the offensive line during spring drills. However, the deadline to join a new team and be eligible for next season is May 2.
This likely pushed Mims to make the decision after speculation first emerged about his potential transfer shortly after the win over Alabama in the national championship.
Spring practice for the Bulldogs will conclude spring drills next Saturday at 1 p.m. with the G-Day Game at Sanford Stadium.
When Mims committed to the University of Georgia, his high school head coach Von Lassiter said Mims was a special talent.
“There is not many people like him on Earth, you know, God blessed him with a good frame. But he also gave him a work ethic and a desire to want to be the best,” Lassiter said. “He’s got even more upside to him. And I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds for him as well.”
At last month’s Macon Touchdown Club Jamboree, Kirby Smart gave his general thoughts about the transfer portal and its impact on college football.
“I only want the people who want to be there. If you’re not interested in working hard, don’t commit to us,” Smart said. “Because we’re going to work, to have discipline, to do things the hard way, because I believe that’s the only way.”
Here is a look at some of the key transfers, additions and departures from the Bulldogs roster:
PLAYERS STAYING
- QB Stetson Bennett (senior)
- WR Kearis Jackson (junior)
- DE Nolan smith (junior)
- DE Robert Beal (senior)
- DB Tykee Smith (senior)
- DB Chris Smith (senior)
- DB William Poole (senior)
PLAYERS LEAVE FOR NFL DRAFT
- RB James Cook (senior)
- RB Zamir White (junior)
- WR George Pickens (junior)
- TE John FitzPatrick (junior)
- OL Jamaree Salyer (senior)
- OL Justin Shaffer (senior)
- DT Jordan Davis (senior)
- DT Devonte Wyatt (senior)
- DE Travon Walker (junior)
- LB Nakobe Dean (junior)
- LB Channing Tindall (senior)
- LB Quay Walker (senior)
- DB Lewis Cine (junior)
- DB Derion Kendrick (senior)
- P Jake Camarda (senior)
PLAYERS TRANSFERRING
- QB JT Daniels — undeclared (junior)
- WR Jermaine Burton to Alabama (sophomore)
- WR Jaylen Johnson to East Carolina (junior)
- WR Justin Robinson to Mississippi State (freshman) TE
- Chase Harof — undeclared (senior)
- OL Blake Watson — undeclared (junior DE)
- Tyler Malakius — undeclared (junior)
- DB Jalen Kimber to Florida (redshirt freshman)
- DB Ameer Speed to Michigan State (senior)
- DB Latavious Brini to Arkansas (senior)
- ATH Lovasea Carroll — undeclared (freshman)
- OL Owen Codon — SMU
- OL Amarius Mims — undeclared (freshman)
- OL Clay Webb —undeclared (junior)
GEORGIA’S 2022 RECRUITING CLASS:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
ATH Malaki Starks
⭐⭐⭐⭐
- QB Gunner Stockton
- RB Jordan James (committed not signed)
- RB Branson Robinson
- WR Chandler Smith
- WR De’Nylon Morrissette
- TE Oscar Delp
- DT Shone Washington
- DT Mykel Williams
- DT Bear Alexander
- DE Darris Smith (committed not signed)
- LB Jalon Walker
- LB C.J. Washington
- CB Jaheim Singletary
- CB Daylen Everette
- CB Julian Humphrey
- ATH JaCorey Thomas
⭐⭐⭐
- OL Aliou Bah
- OL Jacob Hood
- OL Drew Bobo
- OL Griffin Scroggs
- WR Cole Speer
- DE Carlton Madden
- ATH Dillion Bell (committed not signed)