The vagabond football existence of Robert Beal will continue, apparently.
Beal, a sophomore outside linebacker at Georgia, has entered the NCAA’s transfer portal and is seeking another school at which to complete his college career. That’s according to AL.com’s Matt Zenitz, who was first to report it, citing sources.
NCAA transfer portal information is protected by federal privacy laws, and UGA officials cannot comment on it.
Beal could not be reached for comment. Neither of Beal’s high school coaches in Georgia knew anything of his decision to transfer.
Beal is a Lawrenceville resident who played high school football at Norcross, and the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., but graduated from Peachtree Ridge High without ever playing football there. The 6-foot-4, 244-pound defensive end/outside linebacker got 5-star ratings from ESPN.com and PrepStar Magazine but drew a 4-star grade from the 247Sports Composite. He originally committed to Notre Dame before flipping to Georgia. Jeremy Pruitt and Kevin Sherrer, both of whom are now at Tennessee, recruited Beal for Alabama and UGA, respectively.
Beal’s path to the field with the Bulldogs has been a difficult one. He redshirted as a freshman in 2017, then played sparingly in special teams and backup roles the last two seasons. This past year, he only played in five games and did not play in the SEC Championship game. He leaves Georgia having participated in 16 games with no starts, 23 tackles and one quarterback sack.
Outside linebacker is a position at which Georgia is well-stocked. The Bulldogs are slated to return starters Azeez Ojulari and Walter Grant, as well Adam Anderson, Jermaine Johnson and Nolan Smith. Also, 5-star prospect Mekhail Sherman of Washington, D.C., currently the top commitment of the 2020 class, is also an outside linebacker.
Beal is the second Georgia player to enter the portal this month, according to published reports. Walk-on running back Prather Hudson, a major contributor on special teams the past two seasons, is seeking a transfer as a graduate of UGA.
Beal’s departure from UGA follows that of another highly-recruited outside linebacker. Brenton Cox abruptly left the Bulldogs in August and transferred to Florida.
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