Tucker Maxwell is having his breakout season at the University of Georgia. The former Dawson County dual-sport star leads the Bulldogs, who are currently ranked #2 in the country, in homeruns, stolen bases, and sacrifice hits. He’s doing it all in his junior season.

After a bumpy ride as a freshman in 2017, the outfielder continued to progress in every facet of his game. However, 2019 has brought out the best (so far) for Maxwell, who certainly can still be even better.

Maxwell, fresh out of his Tigers gold/maroon, rode the roller coaster ride that was his 2017 freshman campaign. He had some good moments, but knew that he could be better than his final state line: .172 average, 5 homeruns, 17 RBI. He played some solid defense that season, and tallied 5 stolen bases, 6 doubles, 23 runs, and 23 walks.

For the most part, his sophomore 2018 provided some improvement. He started fewer games (36) than his freshman year (48), but raised his average to .216. He saw a dip in his homeruns (2), RBI (13), doubles (5), runs (20), and walks (16), but flashed a bit more speed as he swiped 10 bases. His defense was even better, and he showed off his arm a bit more in the outfield (notching his first assist).

This year though, Maxwell has revved up to another gear. He is batting .271 on the year, swatting 7 homers with 27 RBI and 17 stolen bases (all career highs). He has 5 doubles and 15 walks so far this year as well for the 29-8 Bulldogs. His speed has been on full display with the 17 steals and first career triple, as well as an inside-the-park homerun he hit over UMASS Lowell, which earned him NCAA Play of the Week honors.

To date, he’s also playing perfect defense in the outfield, adding another assist as well. His career line now reads as follows: .216 average (84-for-397), 14 HR, 57 RBI, 68 R, 16 2B, 1 3B, 32 SB, 54 BB.

Maxwell is a former BLITZ Player of the Year (2016), and BLITZ Hall of Famer (c/o 2016). The standout football and baseball player won a state title with Lambert prior to going to Dawson, and in his senior season for the Tigers he hit .518 with 5 homers and 37 RBI, scoring 51 runs and stealing 38 stolen bases, all while showing plenty of patience with 37 walks. He added 14 doubles and 3 triples, guiding Dawson to the Sweet 16 and 22 wins.

Maxwell was a 2016 Rawlings/Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American, earned 1st Team All-Region and was a Georgia Dugout Club All-Star as well. He had missed his entire junior year at Lambert due to injury, but as a sophomore, batted .404 with 6 HR and earned Best Defensive Player award in helping team to top national ranking and 6A state title after going 36-2.

Feature Photo by Greg Poole / Bulldog Illustrated