The career of Georgila fullback Alexander "Zander" Ogletree has ended.
The rising senior from Newnan, probably best known for being the twin brother of all-star linebacker Alec Ogletree, is stepping away "due to medical reasons," according to a news release from UGA on Wednesday. Ogletree will remain on athletic scholarship, continue to attend classes and is on track to graduate, the school said.
No other information was provided about the nature of Ogletree's medical issues, which are federally protected under the HIPAA Act.
Ogletree, was listed as the No. 1 fullback the last third of the season, played in eight games last year with two starts. He finishes his college career with 37 yards rushing on seven carries and a touchdown. He scored against Ole Miss this past season.
Ogletree's departure will open up the competition at fullback this spring. Rising sophomore and former walkon Merritt Hall is back after starting six games this past season. He'll be pushed by 265-pound sophomore Quayvon Hicks, who got most of his playing time in 12 games last year on special teams. Georgia signed two running backs in February, A.J. Turman and Brendan Douglas, who could be given a shot at football, and also returns walk-ons Taylor Maxey and Chris Young.
Ogletree's junior season ends as vaguely as it began. He did not play in Georgia's first four games of the season, the same period for which his brother Alec was suspended for violating the team's drug-use policy. But Zander was never announced as a suspension and he returned to the playing field about the same time as his brother.
Zander came through for the Bulldogs in a big way in the eighth game of the season against Florida. Hall, the starter to that point, was lost on the first offensive play of the game to an ankle injury. Zander stepped in and helped pave the way for tailback Todd Gurley, who led Georgia with 118 yards rushing in the 17-9 victory over the No. 2-ranked Gators. Ogletree also had a big third-down catch for the Bulldogs in that game.
For several weeks now, it had been speculated that Ogletree was not returning for his senior season for unknown reasons. His brother declared for the NFL draft and participated in the NFL combine last week in Indianapolis
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