Darryl Gamble did not choose his ending script at Georgia.
After being named national player of the week following a 2008 triumph at LSU, Gamble has spent his final two seasons playing two linebacker positions in two systems under two defensive coordinators. The Bulldogs have struggled no matter who was in charge, allowing 30 or more points five times last season in the 4-3 scheme under Willie Martinez and five times this year in the 3-4 system under Todd Grantham.
Defensive woes have gone a long way in explaining Georgia’s 14-11 record the past two years entering Friday’s matchup against Central Florida in the Liberty Bowl.
“I have been moving around a lot and learning new stuff, but I don’t regret anything,” Gamble said. “I’ve learned things in both defenses, and I think my experience here has helped me overcome adversity, because there have been a lot of bumps in the road.”
The 6-foot-2, 255-pounder from Bainbridge, Ga., redshirted in 2006 and then quickly developed a knack for making big plays. He forced a fumble against Vanderbilt in Nashville that saved the ’07 season, as the Commodores were driving for a winning score until Gamble’s play bailed out the Bulldogs in a 20-17 win.
That was the first of seven consecutive victories as the Bulldogs closed the ’07 season with an 11-2 record and a No. 2 ranking.
In Georgia’s ’08 trip to LSU, Gamble intercepted Tigers quarterback Jarrett Lee on the first play from scrimmage and ran 40 yards for the touchdown. He sealed the 52-38 victory with a 53-yard pickoff for a score with 3:18 remaining.
“That was the biggest game of my career, but I still have one more, so I’m not going to count this last game out,” Gamble said. “Up to this point, that was my biggest game.”
Gamble was recognized by ESPN, the Southeastern Conference and the Football Writers Association of America for his showing in Baton Rouge, but getting noticed the past two seasons has been difficult. He started 11 times in 13 games last year and has made just seven starts this season, and his number of tackles has decreased from 60 in ’08 to 47 last season to 39 now.
Though he likes the 3-4 as a scheme, Gamble doesn’t mind admitting he was more comfortable in the 4-3.
“I think his career has been very solid,” head coach Mark Richt said. “I think the NFL people really like him. They see that he can play inside linebacker, outside linebacker and special teams. He’s been outstanding in that regard. He’s been healthy most all of his career. He just has a big frame, and he’s a good, instinctive football player.
“Some guys never have a good day like he had against LSU with the two pick-sixes. That’s what gets everybody’s attention, more so than a 15-tackle ballgame. It’s not surprising that he didn’t have another game that would outshine that, but he’s played a lot of really good football for us.”
Richt has been hopeful of finding an all-star game for Gamble but hasn’t yet.
Gamble would love to play one more time on the college level after Friday, and he would like to give the NFL a try. He does have options away from football as a recent graduate in consumer economics.
“I think I’ve got the experience for the NFL, and I think I’m good enough to make it, but if I don’t, I’ve got my degree,” he said. “I have some job offers for some internships, so I could go either way. I think I’ll be satisfied in whatever I do.”
Odds and ends
Sophomore tight end Arthur Lynch, who is redshirting this season, was unable to attend Monday morning’s practice at Memphis University School because he had yet to arrive from Massachusetts. … Georgia and UCF players attended Monday night’s NBA game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors at FedExForum, with Richt and Knights counterpart George O’Leary getting introduced at halftime.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.