Brock Bowers’ status for Orange Bowl uncertain
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Reporters encountered an evasive Georgia coach Kirby Smart on the eve of Saturday’s Orange Bowl, at least when it comes to practice and personnel.
The question of the day – and really for the entire postseason – is whether All-American tight end Brock Bowers will play against Florida State. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound junior is expected to be a top-10 pick in the 2024 NFL draft and aggravated his surgically repaired left ankle in the SEC Championship game.
Bowers was not with the Bulldogs when they deplaned at Miami International Airport on Tuesday night, but reportedly joined the team Thursday. But with Thursday’s practice closed, nobody has been able to independently verify his participation.
On Friday, Bowers was with the Bulldogs during their practice at Barry University and dressed like the other players to work out. But other than being seen doing some brief light jogging, the only thing the players did during the media’s 15-minute viewing period was yoga.
Asked about Bowers’ availability Friday morning during the Orange Bowl coaches’ press conference, Smart would offer only, “we’ll see.”
At that time, Smart also was asked about starting right tackle Amarius Mims and freshman outside linebacker Damon Wilson. He revealed that Wilson had arthroscopic knee surgery shortly after the SEC Championship game and will not play. He was less forthcoming about Mims. A 6-7, 340-pound junior, Mims also is a coveted NFL prospect and aggravated an ankle injury in the conference title game.
“Amarius is here and going to be with us today,” Smart said without elaboration.
Mims also was doing yoga at Friday’s practice.
Whether Saturday will be his last game or he played it in the SEC Championship game, Bowers will leave as the third three-time All-American in Georgia football history. Running back Herschel Walker and defensive end David Pollack are the others.
His 2,538 yards receiving is the most by far by a Georgia tight end, and his 26 touchdowns are the second-most in school history. He currently is fifth all time on the Bulldogs’ receiving list. Despite missing three games this season and large parts of several others, Bowers still leads Georgia in receiving with 714 yards and six touchdowns on 56 receptions.
“I played with one of the best Dogs ever,” junior flanker Ladd McConkey said of his teammate. “I, personally, (think) he’s the best college tight end to ever play the game. Three-time All-American, he’s a great football player but even greater guy. I’m super thankful for him.”
Bowers also will leave UGA as a legend in the training room. His return to play 26 days after undergoing TightRope surgery to repair a high-ankle sprain is thought to be a college football record.
“It’s pretty remarkable the numbers he hit and what he was able to do as he came back,” Smart said Friday. “He kind of changed the culture of the work ethic around our offense. To see him go out there and compete and work like he did for the three years he has been here is pretty remarkable. I mean, he is a machine when it comes to practice. He set a standard that will be there for a long time.”
Sophomore Oscar Delp, who almost is identical physically to Bowers, took over in Bowers’ absence. He has 21 catches for 253 yards and three TDs.
Smart was evasive even when it came to discussing practice. Inclement weather forced the supposed cancellation of practice and the media viewing period associated with it. Then reports surfaced that the Bulldogs went to the University of Miami and utilized their indoor facility.
If they in fact did, Smart wasn’t going to confirm it.
“I’m not going to get into the details of all that,” the eighth-year coach said. “Got a little bit of a (walk-through) done and just tried to get out in some fresh air to get out of that hotel. It was rainy. It was wet and nasty all day, and we did not want to stay cooped up in the hotel, so were able to move around a little bit.”
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