Georgia outside linebacker Justin Houston, never one to dawdle coming off the line of scrimmage, announced right at Saturday afternoon’s NFL draft deadline that he will forgo his final season in Athens.
Houston racked up 67 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in his final season with the Bulldogs and was a finalist for the Butkus and Nagurski awards. The only player in the Southeastern Conference to amass more lost-yardage plays was Auburn junior defensive tackle Nick Fairley, the potential No. 1 pick overall, who had 24 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks.
“I want to thank the University of Georgia and the coaches for giving me the chance to come to UGA,” Houston said. “Without Coach Mark Richt, I would not be where I am today. He has helped me grow from a boy to a grown man during my four years. It was a very hard decision to make, but in the end I had to do what’s best for my family and me.”
The Bulldogs had seven juniors who considered leaving early, with Houston and receiver A.J. Green deciding to move on. Guard Cordy Glenn, tackle Trinton Sturdivant, cornerback Brandon Boykin, kicker Blair Walsh and punter Drew Butler elected to return.
Houston saved one of his finest performances for his Sanford Stadium finale, when the Bulldogs outlasted Georgia Tech on Nov. 27. He returned a fumble 18 yards for a touchdown in the final minute of the third quarter to put the Bulldogs up 35-21 and sealed the 42-34 victory by intercepting a pass with 35 seconds remaining.
“Justin is a great person and great player, and we will miss him,” Richt said. “He’s been an integral part of our team the past three years. We wish him nothing but the best as he moves into this next phase of his football career, and I’m certain he’ll be successful.”
Houston was productive as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme implemented by first-year Bulldogs defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. He also was successful in 2009 as a defensive end in a 4-3 system under former coordinator Willie Martinez, compiling 39 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks.
For his career, the 6-foot-3, 258-pounder from Statesboro, Ga., recorded 125 tackles, 38 tackles for loss and 20 sacks. The sack total is seventh in school history.
Longtime ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper rates Houston as the No. 2 outside linebacker in the 2011 draft behind UCLA’s Akeem Ayers. Grantham said late this past season that Houston’s ability to thrive in both a 4-3 and 3-4 would bode well for his draft status, and one NFL team’s director of scouting agreed.
“I think he is kind of coming into the NFL at a good time for him, because he can either be a down, defensive end pass rusher or an outside linebacker in a 3-4 system as a pass rusher,” the scout said. “He’s got great bend off the corner. He’s got speed. He can close. He’s definitely a first-rounder when he comes out.”
The Bulldogs are losing four linebackers from their 6-7 team, with Houston joining outgoing senior starters Akeem Dent and Darryl Gamble. Junior Marcus Dowtin, who started twice last season but had a second-degree assault charge that Richt didn’t know about until recently, was given his unconditional release this past week.