Georgia adds TE for 2014 in former Pfeiffer University basketball player Joseph Ledbetter

Joseph Ledbetter has spent the last two seasons playing hoops for Pfeiffer University, a D2 school in central North Carolina.  A week or two ago, he attended Dawg Night and competed as a TE in front of the coaches.  Clearly, they liked what they saw and with scholarships available and a need at TE, decided the former Tucker player was worth an offer.  Of course, it didn't hurt that his younger brother is considered one of the top DL in the southeast, currently plying his trade also at Tucker High School, and is committed to Alabama but has long been rumored as a possible (now read likely) flip to stay in state with the Dawgs.

What exactly Ledbetter brings to the table this coming season is anyone's guess.  As a former basketball player, you expect a good run/jump athlete, with decent length and the ability to make plays down the field.    According to Seth Emerson (linked above), he's 6'3, 239 pounds which is good size but not great.  It seems like he'd be more of a receiving threat at that size than much use as an extra blocker on the lines.  You can also assume his technique is at best rusty having spent the last two years away from the game.  He may get limited time due to the depth chart, but don't expect much.

Georgia has Jay Rome returning from injury as the clear #1 in the depth chart, with freshmen Jordan Davis and Jeb Blazevich also working in behind Rome.  But while his brother likely helps increase Georgia's interest, that they were willing to take him on scholarship after seeing him in action, and that Alabama had made space for him as a preferred walk-on, is a sign that the kid certainly has potential.  And expect all sorts of "he'll be the next [insert player of choice]" out of the most enthusiastic of fans.  And it's not without precedent, as some of those inserted names can range from Tony Gonzalez (the former Falcons TE and Cal two sport star), Jimmy Graham (current New Orleans Saint, and a 6'7 freak athlete who played 4 years of basketball for Miami), Antonio Gates (who never played college football despite being recruited by Nick Saban to Michigan St).

Of course, Georgia has had more than it's fair share of football/basketball players, as Rome played basketball his freshman year, Larry Brown was an excellent player who helped lead Georgia to a Sweet 16 in 1996 and started four years on the football field, Fred Gibson also made big contributions in both sports, and then there's also Albany legend Reggie Tinch.  Ledbetter won't be those guys, at the very least not any time soon.  But for a spot that needed help in a big way, he's an athletic body that is definitely capable of helping.  He should have at least 2 seasons, if not 3, left of eligibility.