The Countdown 2010: 73 Days to Go

73: Mohamed Massaquoi, Wide Receiver #1 (2005 – 2008)

Mohamed Massaquoi was a Parade All-American receiver from the powerhouse high school football program, Independence, in Charlotte, NC. He was the North Carolina state record holder for career receiving yards (4,851) and touchdowns (76) and immediately made an impact during his freshman year in Athens. He caught his first career touchdown against Vanderbilt and had his breakout game against Auburn, catching six passes for 108 yards and a touchdown. Georgia would go on to win the SEC Championship and Massaquoi was a contributor, finishing second on the team with 38 catches for 505 yards.

In 2006, Massaquoi would struggle through a disappointing sophomore season that saw him struggle with dropped passes. Late in the year, however, things began to turn around. With Georgia trailing Tech in the 4th quarter, Matt Stafford would find Mohamed for a late score and this great call from Larry Munson:

In Georgia’s magical run to the #2 final ranking in 2007, Massaquoi and Sean Bailey would provide Matthew Stafford with the down field threat that provided the perfect balance to the running of Knowshon Moreno and Thomas Brown. Just when it looked like Florida may try to regain the momentum Georgia had following the celebration at the beginning of the game, Massaqui broke free for this long score:

He continued to match big plays throughout his junior season, including a 57 yard score in the Blackout victory over Auburn. In his final season in Athens, Massaquoi and AJ Green combined to form one of the best 1-2 receiving punches in Georgia history. Massaquoi would be named first team All-SEC and was named the team’s permanent captain. He finished with 58 catches for 920 yards and 8 touchdowns.

For his career, Mohamed Massaquoi is Georgia’s fourth all-time leading receiver in both yards (2,282) and receptions (158). His best career game during the 2008 loss to Georgia Tech, where he totaled 11 catches and three touchdowns. He was selected in the second round of the 2009 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns, where he would lead the team in receiving.