Jonathan Ledbetter leaving UGA on solid foundation: ‘Culture of Georgia is becoming something greater than ever’
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This wasn’t the way Jonathan Ledbetter wanted to end his Georgia career but that doesn’t mean he isn’t proud of the entire body of work he and his senior class put in during their time in Athens.
Following Georgia’s 28-21 loss to Texas in the Sugar Bowl, the senior defensive end touched on his lasting legacy at the school and the direction of the program under Kirby Smart. According to Ledbetter, while proud of the work and accomplishments from his time at the school, the best is yet to come for Dawg Nation.
“Georgia is heading in a different direction than it was a couple years back. I can say I was part of that group that laid the foundation. You can see that the standard is changing, despite today,” Ledbetter said after the Sugar Bowl. “Tough loss, played a good, physical team, the culture of Georgia is becoming something greater than it ever was and I think it will continue to do that, way beyond when I’m gone.
“But, I was the start of it and that’s big for me. I’m grateful to be that, I’m grateful that the school allowed me to be there, took a chance on me and picked me as a leader for this team and just get the thing started off on the right way.”
Ledbetter’s class finishes their career with a 42-13 overall record, two SEC East titles and one SEC championship title. Not bad but as the defensive lineman stated, it’s just the beginning of what’s to come in Athens based on the program’s success on the field and in recruiting under Kirby Smart.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
