McGhee coming up big on defense
ATHENS, Ga. — Midway through the third quarter of Georgia’s 42-7 thrashing of Florida last year, Bulldogs cornerback Tyrique McGhee sacked Feleipe Franks for a 20-yard loss and caused a fumble that safety J.R. Reed pounced on for a 3-yard touchdown.
Wreaking havoc against the Gators was so much fun for McGhee that he had to experience it again.
In Georgia’s 36-17 victory last Saturday, the 5-foot-10, 187-pound junior intercepted Franks late in the first quarter and forced another Franks fumble late in the third quarter. His interception at Georgia’s 27-yard line snuffed out a potential Florida scoring drive, and while his caused fumble at Florida’s 2-yard line was not converted into a touchdown, it did result in an 18-yard Rodrigo Blankenship field goal that provided the Bulldogs a two-possession lead at 23-14.
“It was very rewarding to come out and help my teammates,” McGhee said this week. “I think that’s what every player dreams of, helping out early and creating turnovers for their defense. It felt good.
“It was a big game, and I feel like I helped our team the best way I could.”
McGhee finished with
five tackles on a defense that held Florida to 275 total yards, including just 68 in the final 28 minutes after the Gators had grabbed their lone lead of the afternoon at 14-13 three plays into the third quarter.
His damage this time in Jacksonville occurred from the “star” position, which is the fifth defensive back in a nickel package and most commonly subs for the strongside linebacker. McGhee’s role requires versatility, because he may be needed to drop into coverage or creep up to the line to stuff a running play.
McGhee is performing the role despite being one of the smallest players on the field.
“He’s physical. He strikes. He tackles,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. “He plays bigger than he is. He’s not afraid of contact. He’s from Peach County, and they grow them tough down there.”
Said McGhee: “You’ve got to know our defense and be willing to get physical. I don’t have a problem playing inside the box or playing in coverage.”
On a Bulldogs roster growing with former four- and five-star prospects, McGhee was a consensus three-star recruit in 2016 but hit the college world running. He played in all 13 games two years ago as a freshman, tallying nine tackles, with eight of those on special teams.
As a sophomore last season, he played in all 15 games and started twice, totaling 25 tackles and six pass breakups. Before the caused fumble against Florida, he intercepted Tennessee’s Quinten Dormady on the Volunteers’ first play from scrimmage.
McGhee had the start of his junior year derailed by a broken bone in his foot during Georgia’s first preseason scrimmage.
“I honestly don’t even know when it happened,” he said. “I just felt this sharp pain. I got with the trainers and checked it out. It came out of nowhere, honestly.”
Smart and his defensive assistants reduced McGhee’s yardage in practice when he was healthy enough to return, which wound up being the 41-17 win at South Carolina on Sept. 8. His practice reps are still limited, but he has played in Georgia’s last seven games, making three starts and totaling 14 tackles.
McGhee’s performance last weekend was his most notable yet, but he has shifted quickly to this Saturday’s challenge of stopping Kentucky junior running back Benny Snell, who leads the SEC with 935 rushing yards and averages 5.2 yards a carry. The winner in Lexington will be rewarded with an SEC East championship.
“Everybody knows what we have to do,” McGhee said. “It’s not like everyone is going around and saying it, but everybody mentally knows.”
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.
“He’s physical. He strikes. He tackles. He plays bigger than he is. He’s not afraid of contact. He’s from Peach County, and they grow them tough down there.” – KIRBY SMART, GEORGIA COACH