In 2006, Caleb King was one of the top running backs in the nation, the top football player in Georgia and he was the player that UGA fans were expecting to help lead the Bulldogs to a national title.
Today, King is known as the player who stayed injured, stayed in trouble, failed to produce in the classroom and on the field, and a player that UGA fans are trying to erase from their memory.
Last Friday, UGA confirmed that King, a fifth-year senior, was ruled academically ineligible to play for the Bulldogs this fall. On Tuesday, King announced that he is entering the NFL’s supplemental draft.
For those of you who are not familiar with King here are some facts about him:
– King was a five-star prospect before breaking his leg his senior season at GreaterAtlantaChristian school inNorcross,Ga.
– He was a four-star-rated recruit when he signed with Georgia in 2007 and red shirted while playing behind former Dawg and current Denver Bronco Knowshon Moreno.
– King served as Moreno’s backup in 2008, playing in 11 games and finishing with 247 yards and a TD.
– He took over as starter in 2009, racking up 594 yards – including a career high 166 yards against Georgia Tech – and 7 touchdowns.
– In 2010, he lost the starting job to former Dawg Washaun Ealey – only playing in eight games, with five starts – finishing with 430 yards and 2 touchdowns.
-He ended his disappointing college career with 1,271 yards rushing, 126 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns.
After reading the stats above I’m pretty sure you are surprised, just like I am that King has decided to try his hand in the NFL. King was one of, if not, the most inconsistent college players I’ve ever seen.
I know some people would want to blame it on the injuries he had during his career – ankle and hamstring injuries and a fractured jaw. But even when he was healthy he still didn’t produce much on the field (see 2009 stats).
And we can’t forget his disciplinary and academic suspensions and run-ins with the law. He was arrested last year for failing to appear in court for a speeding ticket.
And we all know that Roger Goodell doesn’t take kindly to behavior that does not represent the “good ol’ image” of the NFL.
So unless King turned into a responsible, productive citizen and develop Barry Sander skills overnight, I really don’t see a team adding him to its roster after the lockout ends. If King is serious about being an all-pro running back then he really needs to get his act together, on and off the field.