Four former University of Georgia football players have been named to the University¹s annual “40 under 40” list which recognizes outstanding young alumni. Thomas Davis, Steve Herndon, Ben Watson, and Will Witherspoon have been honored with the 2016 recognition. The recipients will be honored at a luncheon event in Atlanta on September 8, 2016.
 
 
A native of Shellman, Ga., Davis (BSFCS, Œ07) was an All-America free safety at UGA in 2004. He was a first-round draft choice of the Carolina Panthers in 2005 and was a member of the Panthers’ 2016 Super Bowl team. In 2014, Davis was recipient of the NFL’s prestigious Walter Payton Award which recognizes a player’s off-the-field community service as well as his playing excellence.
 
 
Herndon (BSED ’99) was a four-year letter winner from 1996-99 and was named to the All-Southeastern Conference first team as an offensive guard in 1999. A native of Alpharetta, Ga., he is currently president of Safe Net Recovery, an addiction treatment center in Smyrna, Ga.
 
 
Originally from Rock Hill, S.C., Watson (BBA, ’03) was an All-SEC tight end in 2003. He was a first-round draft choice of the New England Patriots in 2004 and was a member of their 2005 NFL Super Bowl championship team. He is currently a tight end with the Baltimore Ravens and is the author of a recent book, “Under Our Skin.”
 
 
Witherspoon (BSFCS, ’07), originally from Panama City, Fla., lettered for the Bulldogs from 1998-2001. He was drafted in the third round of the 2002 NFL draft by the Carolina Panthers. He also played with the Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Rams and Tennessee Titans during his 12-year NFL career. He is currently owner of Shire Gate Farm in Missouri.
 
 
Keynote speaker for the luncheon will be former UGA gymnast Leah Brown (BS ’98), currently Commander, Medical Corps, U.S. Navy Reserve and physician at the Hedley Orthopaedic Institute in Phoenix, Arizona.
 
 

40 Under 40