Confidence Is Key For Georgia Bulldog Linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson
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ATHENS - It was never going to be easy for Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs to replace star linebacker Nakobe Dean, but you couldn’t ask for a better replacement than sophomore Jamon Dumas-Johnson.
Thee second-year player has been outstanding for the Bulldogs this year at middle linebacker, and you can make the case that he’s been Georgia’s best defender so far this season. The speedy, instinctive linebacker is coming into his own and is leading a Bulldog defense that is ranked No, 3 in the country in total defense.
What’s been the secret to Dumas-Johnson’s success? Head coach Kirby Smart told reporters this week that it’s all about confidence.
“Confidence”, Smart said quickly when asked about his star linebacker. “I mean, he started showing up making plays when he first got here. I don't know if you consider him highly touted. I don't really know, I just know we really liked him. We liked his demeanor, liked where he's from, liked his program, toughness that he played in and we liked the way he was on Zooms and talking to him. He got here and he's a little heavy because he had not played and he started making plays. We're like, 'Man, this guy's a good player.' Of course we had good players in front of him. He's blossomed really well this year. Probably the greatest strides he's made is his leadership and his command of our defense at a young age. He's not afraid to hold people accountable, which is hard for a sophomore.”
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That’s exactly what Georgia needed out of the Maryland native. Not only did they need to replace Dean’s talent, but they needed for someone to take over from a leadership standpoint as well.
Playing in high school at St. Frances Academy, a power program in Maryland, Dumas-Johnson knows how to win. While he didn’t play as a senior due to Covid restrictions, he still worked hard that fall to prepare himself for Georgia. Now, in his second season, he’s taking on a leadership role on one of the best defenses in college football.
He’s made a massive impact so far this season, leading the team in tackles with 33 total stops and 4 TFLs. He runs to the ball, he’s a secure tackler, and he’s growing more and more each week. Glenn Schumann has something special in Dumas-Johnson, who still has his best football ahead of him.
When his time in Athens comes to an end, we might be talking about Dumas-Johnson as one of the best linebackers to come through in the Kirby Smart era. That may sound crazy, but it might just happen if he continues to grow, develop, and possibly lead the Bulldogs to another championship.