Demetris Robertson leaps in celebration as California teammates Jordan Duncan, left, and Kanawai Noa look on during the Golden Bears' win at North Carolina in September 2017. Robertson, injured much of last season after a strong freshman year at Cal, is returning to his home state, transferring to play for the Georgia Bulldogs.The second time was the charm for Georgia.
Demetris Robertson, the No. 1 receiver nationally in the 2016 signing class who bolted the Peach State for the University of California, announced Saturday in a video that he was transferring to the Bulldogs. The 6-foot, 190-pounder from Savannah announced June 21 that he was leaving Cal, and he picked Georgia over Alabama, Texas and West Virginia.
"I'm staying home," Robertson said at the end of a three-minute video. "Go Dogs!"
The former five-star prospect had a stellar freshman season with the Golden Bears in 2016, amassing 50 receptions for 767 yards (an average of 15.3 yards per catch) and seven touchdowns. He had seven catches for 70 yards last season, when injuries limited him to two games.
Robertson received a medical redshirt, but it is not known whether he will be eligible for the 2018 season. Normally a player would be required to sit out due to NCAA transfer rules, but it has been reported the health of Robertson's mother is in decline.
"We are still working things out with that," Robertson told 247Sports.com before Saturday's announcement. "We will know about that in due time with compliance."
Georgia lost leading receiver Javon Wims from last season's Southeastern Conference championship team but returns Terry Godwin, Mecole Hardman and Riley Ridley. Should Robertson not be eligible until 2019, he would potentially join Jadon Haselwood and Dominick Blaylock, top-five receivers in the 2019 class who have committed to the Bulldogs.
"Welcome back," Hardman posted on Twitter after Robertson revealed his selection.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.