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Georgia’s Javon Bullard earned the Peach Bowl’s Defensive Most Valuable Player (MVP) honor for his play against No. 4 Ohio State on New Year’s Eve.
The sophomore STAR defensive back totaled three tackles, one sack and a pass breakup.
Those numbers don’t jump off the screen, although Bullard made an impact late in the game, which helped the Bulldogs reach their second consecutive CFP title game.
“We give a lot of credit to Ohio State,” Bullard said. “Those guys made plays when they needed to make plays. We knew coming into the game, it wouldn’t be perfect. You come into a game like this, college playoff, we know you are going to give up some plays, they are going to make some plays, we’re going to make some plays, too.
“You can’t get too high up and can’t get too low. We had to rely on the connection we built through the off-season and the resiliency. I couldn’t be prouder of the team.”
Both of his plays that stood out came in the third quarter when the No. 1 Bulldogs trailed.
OSU had possession with just under eight minutes left. Facing a 2nd-and-7, Buckeyes’ quarterback C.J. Stroud dropped back to pass and was sacked for a 5-yard loss by Bullard. The loss was felt as they were forced to punt a few plays later.
However, Bullard made arguably the biggest play of the game later in the third quarter.
OSU started its final drive of the period on its 34-yard line after a missed 52-yard field goal by Georgia. Stroud was able to lead the Buckeyes down the field in a few plays, but they were soon faced with a 3rd-and-goal on the Bulldogs’ 7-yard line.
Stroud dropped back to pass and rolled right, trying to evade the Bulldog’s pass rush. He then heaved up a ball to the back of the end zone, which was almost caught by wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., but Bullard made a play and broke up the pass.
The Milledgeville native had a running head start, but led with his shoulder on the hit. He was initially flagged for a targeting penalty, which would have taken him out of the game, but the call was overturned by review officials a few minutes later.
Harrison left the game after the play with a concussion and didn’t return. His impact was felt in the first two quarters as he was Stroud’s favorite target. He had torched Georgia’s secondary and hauled in five receptions for 105 yards and two TDs. “It was just C.J. scrambled. He made a play with his feet and threw the ball up in the air,” Bullard said.
“I saw Marvin’s hands going for it and just tried to make a play when I could.”
Bullard’s heads-up play halted OSU from taking a three-score lead and forced a field goal. The Bulldogs then went on to rally and secure the comeback in the final quarter.
The 5-foot-11, 180-pound defensive back has been vital to Georgia’s success in 2022. He missed one game due to a suspension for a DUI, but he’s been productive all year.
Bullard is the Bulldogs’ fourth-leading tackler. He’s totaled 45 tackles, 7 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.
Bullard also has three pass breakups and seven quarterback hurries.
Bullard’s teammates think highly of him, especially inside linebacker Kamari Lassiter.
“Man, JB (Javon Bullard), that’s my dog,” Lassiter said. “He had a really good game. I’m super proud of him. He works hard day in and day out. I couldn’t be happier for him.”
Georgia senior wide receiver Kearis Jackson goes up against Bullard every day in practice. He’s seen the young defensive back grow since arriving on campus two years ago.
“Most definitely. He’s a middle-Georgia boy just like me,” Jackson said.
“The 478 (area code). We just breed them differently down there. Of course, we go against each other every day, you know? Just grinding. He’s a great player. He also makes me better, and I make him better. I couldn’t be prouder of the way he stepped up.”
No. 1 Georgia (14-0) will face No. 3 TCU (13-1) in the 2023 CFP National Championship game on Jan. 9 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, at 7:30 p.m.