First-Year Profile: Javon Bullard

Aug 4, 2021

Georgia defensive back Javon Bullard (22) during the G-Day scrimmage on Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, April 17, 2021. (Photo by Tony Walsh)

Over the next month, DogWatch will be looking at the Bulldogs’ incoming freshman in a new series called First-Year Profile.

Today we take a look at Javon Bullard.

Ranking: No. 641 overall, No. 52 cornerback and No. 52 player in Georgia, per the 247Sports Composite.

Height/Weight: 5-foot-11, 180-pounds

Background: Hailing from Baldwin High School in Milledgeville, Georgia, Bullard worked his way into becoming a three-star rated recruit. Bullard was not a highly sought-after pr, at least by the nation’s elite programs. When Georgia offered him a scholarship in June of 2020, they were the biggest program to express their interest. Tennessee, Auburn, South Carolina and Minnesota also offered Bullard. When early signing day rolled around, Bullard committed to the Bulldogs and enrolled the following month. He was the second corner in the 2020 class to verbally commit to UGA, following David Daniel.

Potential 2021 Impact: Bullard was one of four defensive backs taken in the 2020 recruiting class. Coach Kirby Smart made sure to address a huge need on his team. However, Coach Smart also went to the transfer portal to shore up the secondary, adding Derion Kendrick from Clemson and Tykee Smith from West Virginia. Between the three other defensive backs that Bullard will need to fight for time and the depth on the roster, it doesn’t seem likely that Bullard will contribute much on anything other than special teams this fall.

However, Bullard has significant upsides. He’s smart, athletic and tackles well. He led the Red squad in tackles in G-Day. His size and athleticism allow him to have the ability to play multiple positions, although he’ll likely end up at STAR. With the starters at those roles established already, Bullard faces an uphill challenge to find the field this season. Bullard played multiple positions in high school, including corner, wide receiver and running back. He led his team in tackles in 2019, including seven tackles for loss, two sacks, and 10 pass breakups.

Kirby Smart on Bullard on National Signing Day: “We’re excited about Javon. He’s a bright kid with a great family. Looking forward to seeing him work. There’s certainly going to be some opportunities in the defensive backfield, and we’re going to have to find out more about him to see exactly where he’s going to start off, whether that’s at corner, safety, star, nickel, money, one of our different positions, but we’re excited about what he brings to the table.”

Baldwin High School Football Coach Jesse Hicks: “I think he is a Sunday guy as a player. But after that, I think he is a major Division I head coach because he is so smart and intelligent when it comes to the game. His understanding of the game is through the roof. There are not many things he lacks. I think his understanding and the way he relates to the game are his biggest attributes.”

Highlights: