Former UGA safety Josh Harvey-Clemons is in line to start for Louisville this fall. AJC photo
Josh Harvey-Clemons is ready to put the past behind him.
He was one of the three defensive backs, joining Tray Matthews (kicked out) and Shaq Wiggins (transferred), who left UGA after the 2013 season.
Post: Tray Matthews impresses Will Muschamp at Auburn.
And now Harvey-Clemons, who was kicked off the team after his second drug-related suspension, is ready to make the most of his new opportunity at Louisville after sitting out last season.
"It's been a growing year for me," Harvey-Clemons recently told ESPN.com. "I've been getting to know my teammates and getting to know the defense a lot better. I'm just excited for the opportunity to be back out on the field.
“I’d probably say I learned it’s not all about me. Everything’s bigger than me. It’s about the team.”
And while Wiggins was kicked out of a practice last week and suffered a right arm injury in a weekend practice, Harvey-Clemons is a projected starter at safety at Louisville, where former UGA defensive coordinator Todd Grantham oversees the defense.
“He’s very big and physical,” coach Bobby Petrino said. “I always look at that length”
Grantham had this to say about Harvey-Clemons:
“I have no trouble standing up for him because I do believe he’s a solid kid. I think as you move forward in life, you’ve got to learn from your mistakes, and I think sometimes you’ve got to give kids a second chance, and I think he’s earned the right for that chance and what he’s done so far. I never had any issues with him when I was at Georgia from the accountability for meetings or practice or anything like that, but at the same time, you do have to go through a maturity phase as far as understanding the decisions you make, there’s consequences for them. He’s really matured, and I’ve been very proud of that. I’m really excited for him to play this year and get back on the field.”
