Jakar Hamilton to transfer from UGA

ATHENS — The Georgia Bulldogs’ bus got a little less crowded on Tuesday.

Georgia’s slogan for this season is “Get on the Bus,” a reference to getting on board with team’s regulations or getting left behind. One more player chose to get off Tuesday, as senior safety Jakar Hamilton moved out of his dorm and is seeking a transfer.

Hamilton, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound senior, already was sitting out this season as a redshirt because of a fractured ankle suffered in preseason. But, unable to compete while other players have been asserting themselves at his position, Hamilton said he simply read the writing on the wall.

“It’s just personal issues, really,” said Hamilton, who started five games at free safety last season and played in all 13. “I was hurt and wasn’t going to be able to play this season and I just played it all out in my mind. [Bacarri] Rambo is having a good season, Shawn Williams is having a good season, and they both have another year. And other guys are coming in.

“I just felt like I needed a new start and start fresh with another team.”

A lot of players have been coming to that conclusion since the end of last season. In fact, Hamilton becomes the 13th scholarship football player to leave the team with eligibility remaining since the end of last season.

Some of those departures were player initiated, such as wide receiver A.J. Green and outside linebacker Justin Houston applying for early entry into the NFL draft. Others were because of medical disqualification, such as offensive tackle Trinton Sturdivant (knee), guard Tanner Strickland (shoulder), defensive end Jeremy Longo (knee). Tailback Caleb King was unable to maintain academic eligibility.

The largest category covers a gray area that Richt categorizes as “mutually agreed upon” decision to transfer. This includes Hamilton and others such as tailback Washaun Ealey, offensive lineman Brent Benedict, linebacker Marcus Dowtin and safety Nick Williams.

Hamilton was adamant that he had no disciplinary issues at Georgia.

“There have been some occasions that I might have had some attitude issues or whatever,” Hamilton said. “But this really is just a case of me needing a fresh start.”

The news of Hamilton’s departure broke after Richt’s news conference Tuesday and other than acknowledging it via a release, Richt was unavailable for comment. But it’s Richt’s policy not to comment on dismissals and departures. Earlier this summer he said he doesn’t want players subjected to embarrassment now or in the future.

Departed Bulldogs

Pos.+Player+Class+Reason for leaving

OL+Brent Benedict+RFr.+Transferred to Virginia Tech

LB+Marcus Dowtin+Jr.+Transferred to North Alabama

TB+Washaun Ealey+Jr.+Transferred to Jacksonville State

TB+Caleb King+Jr.+Academically ineligible

WR+Logan Gray+Jr.+Graduated with eligibility, transferred to Colorado

WR+A.J. Green+Jr.+Early entry into NFL draft

FS+Jakar Hamilton+Sr. +Transferring. Destination unknown.

OL+A.J. Harmon+Jr.+Transferred to Alabama State

LB+Justin Houston+Jr.+Early entry into NFL draft

DE+Jeremy Longo+Jr.+Medically disqualified