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JACK Linebacker
1. Azeez Ojulari (RSoph.)
2. Adam Anderson (Jr.)
Ojulari has 27 tackles and a total of 9.5 tackles for the loss and 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovered, two breakouts and a 25-hour quarterback. Anderson has 11 tackles, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, 15 rushed quarterbacks and one pass break.
Being # 1 or # 2 on the depth map doesn’t mean a ton there because Ojulari. Smith and Johnson are key elements in the UGA’s defense. Ojulari is a more advanced running defender, but he also led the team in sacks a year ago. At 6’3”250 pounds, he was built more like a traditional 4-3 defensive wing and played a ton with his hand on the ground a year ago. Smith is more of the 3-4 outside linebacker type, but he too is effective against the run. Johnson becomes a big possibility here because he added strength and mass during the offseason. He has the best image of the peloton and could be ready to contribute on every down.
Linebacker SAM
1. Nolan Smith (Soph.)
Smith has 22 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 14 rushing quarterbacks.
As we’ve said a number of times before, the SAM position is only really relevant in base defense and because of all the three receiver sets the Bulldogs are only in base 15-20% of the time. Still, SAM has a role in the early runs when Georgia asks this guy to slide and play the slot machine. Anderson essentially plays his own stance on transmissions where he’s asked to rush, perform stunts, spy, and take cover. Jermaine Johnson was transferred to the state of Florida following the victory over South Carolina.
Silver linebacker
1. Quay Walker (Jr.)
2. Nate McBride (father)
OR
Rian Davis (RFr.)
Rice, the team’s second in tackles, opted out of the bowl game to prepare for the Senior Bowl. Walker has 36 tackles, one tackle for loss and five rushing quarterbacks. McBride has five tackles and a rushing quarterback. Davis has a tackle.
Walker came out in force at the end of preseason training and will now audition for the starting role in 2021. Davis was knocked out for most of preseason camp and struggled to stay healthy in Athens. If he can have a good chance of injuring himself, he should be able to compete for a role.
Mac linebacker
1. Nakobe Dean (Soph.)
2. Channing Tindall (Jr.)
Dean leads the team with 64 tackles and 1.5 sacks, with eight squeezed quarterbacks. Tindall has 14 tackles, four loss tackles, three sacks and three rushing quarterbacks.
The reason we have Rice at MIKE is that Dean is on the pitch at WILL and that’s something Georgia wants to do. Dean has the raw talent to be special in the job and he allows the defense to line up in the passing game due to his covering ability. He’ll likely be the guy who stays on the pitch in the Dime defense as well. He’s generated all kinds of positive buzz this preseason. Tindall has shown promise in his first two years, mostly as a blitzer, but he’s a bit of a crossroads when it comes to getting to the pitch consistently. He’s lucky to be more than just an actor. McBride is entering his final season and is likely destined for more special teams. Marshall will compete with McBride and Davis for fifth place.
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