Tykee Smith was a standout among many Bulldogs at the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. James Cook also blames Nick Saban’s retirement for Georgia’s lack of a CFP appearance.
Most college football fans have moved on to the next season, but former Georgia Bulldogs running back James Cook is still furious that his school was left out of the final four-team College Football Playoff. Cook explained to USA Today why the committee did not consider the Bulldogs despite two consecutive national championships.
“We were meant to participate this year. If Georgia makes the playoffs this year, we win it all. “I think they didn’t want to see us go back-to-back,” the current Buffalo Bills running back explained. “We dropped one game to Alabama in the SEC Championship and had not been defeated all season. It was similar to what happened during my senior year in college. We won every game and fell to Alabama in the SEC Championship, but we still made it and went on to win everything. But I have a feeling that they knew Nick Saban was about to retire and tried to smuggle him one.
It’s difficult to argue that Georgia wasn’t one of the top four teams in college football this season, but the circumstances was vastly different from Cook’s senior year in 2021.
There were no undefeated Power Five teams that year, and Cincinnati (13-0) became the first Group of Five club to win the title. The Pac-12’s top-ranked team was 10-3 Utah at No. 11, while the ACC Champion was 11-2 Pittsburgh, who ended 12th in the final CFP rankings.
Georgia Bulldogs at the Senior Bowl
This year, Tykee Smith, Javon Bullard, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, Ladd McConkey, Daijuan Edwards, and William Mote all represented the Bulldogs at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
All were part of the American Team roster and dominated the week. Ladd McConkey was selected the team’s best wide receiver prior to Saturday’s game. Bullard was also named as the team’s best deep safety.
Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint scored the game’s opening touchdown, catching a 29-yard pass from South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler.
Tykee Smith was the most notable player, breaking up three passes from his slot cornerback position. Smith was awarded the American Team MVP. Rattler was named MVP of the game.
