Former Mizzou football receiver Dominic Lovett announces transfer to Georgia

Missouri wide receiver Dominic Lovett (7) catches a pass as Georgia defensive back Malaki Starks (24) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Columbia.
Missouri wide receiver Dominic Lovett (7) catches a pass as Georgia defensive back Malaki Starks (24) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Columbia.

Former Missouri wide receiver Dominic Lovett announced he will be taking his talents to Georgia next season through the transfer portal. Lovett made the announcement Thursday on social media.

Lovett entered the portal shortly after MU’s win over Arkansas to close the regular season.

"I’m home,” Lovett said in his Instagram post.

The move to an SEC East rival made Lovett the second in-conference receiver transfer to Georgia announcement of the day. Earlier on Thursday, Mississippi State’s Rara Thomas said he too will be heading to Athens.

More:What Eli Drinkwitz said about Missouri football's 2023 recruiting class

Lovett was one of the major surprises of the 2022 season for Missouri. Widely overshadowed during the preseason by fellow East St. Louis product Luther Burden, Lovett emerged as MU’s top offensive threat throughout the campaign.

He finished the year with 56 catches for 846 yards and three touchdowns. The yardage was good for third in the SEC behind Jaylin Hyatt of Tennessee and Antwane Wells Jr. of South Carolina.

The sophomore played likely his best game of the year in the regular season finale against Arkansas. In the victory, which earned Missouri its bowl eligibility, Lovett had six catches for 130 yards.

Missouri wide receiver Dominic Lovett snags a pass against the Arkansas Razorbacks on Nov. 25, 2022, in Columbia, Mo.
Missouri wide receiver Dominic Lovett snags a pass against the Arkansas Razorbacks on Nov. 25, 2022, in Columbia, Mo.

“We got it done,” Lovett said after the 29-27 win over the Razorbacks. “Won back that Battle Line trophy.”

Lovett also played well earlier in the season, when Missouri gave the defending national champion Bulldogs a scare at Faurot Field. In that game, Lovett had six catches for 84 yards.

He originally came to Missouri as a member of the recruiting class of 2021. He lost his entire senior football season at East St. Louis due to the COVID-19 pandemic and joined the Tigers over a plethora of other offers, including Arizona State.

Lovett struggled somewhat throughout his freshman year, but shined as a sophomore after taking a permanent spot as MU’s slot receiver. His breakout came against Abilene Christian, when he had seven catches for 132 yards and two scores.

The Tigers and Bulldogs are scheduled to meet at Samford Stadium in Athens on Nov. 4, 2023.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Mizzou football: Dominic Lovett taking transfer portal to Georgia