ATHENS — Two more Georgia football players have decided to continue their careers elsewhere.
Ken Malcome, a redshirt freshman running back, and Derek Owens, a sophomore cornerback, both asked coach Mark Richt to be released from their scholarships and are seeking transfers. Including safety Jakar Hamilton, that’s three players who have left the program this season.
Owens’ departure was expected and has been in motion for a few days. Malcome’s decision was an obvious disappointment for Richt.
“[Malcome] walked into my office just prior to practice and felt like he had gotten so far behind in the competition at his position, he felt like he needed to go to another school and get a fresh start and maybe get a better opportunity to play,” Richt said Wednesday. “So that’s where we are on that.”
Malcome, an all-state player at Southwest DeKalb, was expected to step to the forefront this season with Georgia’s attrition at tailback. But after Washaun Ealey and Caleb King left the program, Malcome fell behind freshman Isaiah Crowell, junior Carlton Thomas and former walk-on Brandon Harton on the depth chart in the preseason. He did not make the travel roster for the Ole Miss game and finishes his Georgia career with one carry for zero yards.
Richt said he would welcome back Malcome if he changed his mind.
“If Ken came to me tomorrow and said, ‘Coach, I lost my mind and I’m sorry and I’d love to come back and compete here at Georgia, I’d hug his neck and say ‘come on,’” Richt said.
Owens played in Georgia’s first three games on special teams, but also didn’t make the trip to Ole Miss. He had two tackles this season and six in 12 games last season.
Malcome and Owens are the 15th and 16th Georgia players to leave the program with eligibility remaining since the end of last season. That includes players such as A.J. Green and Justin Houston, who entered the NFL draft, and Tanner Strickland and Trinton Sturdivant, who were medically disqualified.
The majority, however, left either because they had fallen behind on the depth chart or did not see eye-to-eye with the football staff.
“Most everybody we recruit was probably the best player on their team or one of the best players on their team,” Richt said. “So most of them think they’re going to show up and play. They get around athletes that are just as good as them, and now they have to learn to compete. Sometimes they see the mountain as too high to climb, and they decide to go somewhere else. And that’s fine if that’s what’s going on.
“I want all these guys to get an opportunity to play. I want them all to get an education. But I think there’s value in fighting for your job.”
Robinson ready to play
Christian Robinson won’t say he’s 100 percent sure he’ll play Saturday, but he gave it an 85 percent probability.
“I feel like I can go,” said the junior inside linebacker, who practiced for the second consecutive day without limitations despite a sprained left ankle. “I feel like I could go at least a few snaps, maybe 15 or 20 at the most. But I can play.”
Robinson is Georgia’s unofficial defensive captain and started at “Mike” linebacker the first two games. The original prognosis was that he would be out for as long as a month after he suffered a sprained ankle late in the South Carolina game. But he has spent the past two weeks in intense rehabilitation.
“I get in a hot tub in the mornings, work out with strengthening bands and pick up things with my toes,” Robinson said. “I’ve been picking up jacks and marbles with my toes for two weeks.”
Georgia also is without starting inside linebacker Alec Ogletree, who sustained a foot injury in the season opener. Robinson said he expects junior Michael Gilliard and freshman Amarlo Herrera to start again Saturday.
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