Kirby Smart, Georgia Bulldogs Not Worried About Linebacking Core
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ATHENS - One of the biggest narratives about the 2022 Georgia Bulldogs heading into the season, as expected, revolves around the defense.
“Georgia lost too many defenders”.
“Georgia can’t replace Nakobe Dean and the linebackers”.
“Georgia’s defensive is going to take a major step backwards”.
You’ve heard it all summer.
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No, Kirby Smart’s defense won’t have Nakobe Dean chasing down running backs. There will be no Quay Walker or Channing Tindall playing next to him, either. Those were three excellent linebackers who are going to make an impact in the NFL this fall.
But apparently, people forget what Kirby Smart has done on the recruiting trail the last several seasons. Nick Saban can talk about rebuilding all he wants, but Kirby Smart doesn’t “rebuild” his defense.
He reloads.
It’s next man up at inside linebacker, and thanks to excellent recruiting, the next men up are pretty good, too.
“Excited about the guys that we have at inside backer”, Smart told reporters at the start of fall camp. “I was excited about those guys last year. They didn't get an opportunity to flash and show their talents because of the three guys we had.”
It was going to be hard for any of the inside linebackers to see meaningful playing time last year behind Dean, Walker and Tindall, but there’s one former five-star who appears to be coming into his own.
“Smael Mondon is as good an athlete as I've seen”, Smart added. “He has to increase his physicality, his toughness. He missed spring because of a shoulder surgery but he's put on some good, solid weight. Played a lot of snaps on special teams. Core linebackers get valuable experience on special teams before they're the featured guy.”
Injuries have plagued some of the backups in the past, but if the current group is healthy, look for them to have an excellent 2022 season. These aren’t young pups anymore. Glenn Schumann’s room is full of talented, healthy players who are looking to have a breakout season.
“Trezmen (Marshall) and Rian (Davis) are healthy”, Smart added. “Jalon Walker is out there doing a good job. Then you got (E.J.) Lightsey. So when you start looking across at the inside linebacker group as a whole, I mean, I'm fired up to see what the guys can do.”
Of course, backup Jamon Dumas-Johnson shined at times in a backup role last year, and he’s a guy who could really thrive under Schumann.
The Bulldogs may have a new group of starting inside linebackers this fall, but if you think there’s going to be a major drop-off, you haven’t been paying attention.
Some drop-off? That’s likely. A significant drop-off? Don’t count on it.