Two former outstanding Southwest Georgia high school football players have been named co-winners of the University of Georgia Bulldogs most improved defensive player award.

The players sharing the award are senior linebacker Darryl Gamble, a Bainbridge High School alumnus, and sophomore safety Bacarri Rambo, a Seminole County High School alumnus.

Sophomore safety Shawn Williams of Damascus, Ga., an Early County High School alumnus, received a most improved special teams player award.

During the 2010 season, Gamble had 39 tackles, 19 solo and 20 assisted, one forced fumble and one blocked kick.

Rambo had three interceptions for 64 yards and a touchdown.

Gamble’s two best individual efforts came against the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. He had eight solo tackles against South Carolina and nine tackles, five solo and four assisted, against Georgia Tech.

Gamble also had an interception against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. He sacked Florida Gators quarterback John Brantley for an eight-yard loss during the teams’ annual rivalry game in Jacksonville. He was a co-captain for the Bulldogs’ home game against the Tennessee Volunteers.

During the 2008 season, he was named Football Writers Association of America (FWAA)\ Bronko Nagurski National Defensive player of the week, and Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week after returning two interceptions for touchdowns and posting a career-high 13 tackles in a victory over the 11th ranked Louisiana State Tigers.

Gamble will conclude his Georgia playing career on New Year’s Eve when the Bulldogs play the Central Florida Knights in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn.

Gamble, the son of Lamar Washington and Tracey Daniels of Bainbridge, will graduate from UGA with a bachelor’s degree in housing on Dec. 17.

Darryl’s fans can keep up with his football career at his unofficial fan page, www.facebook.com/gamblefans