Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean was the leader of the 2021 UGA defense, regarded as one of the greatest defenses in the history of college football.
Dean, a junior, announced on Friday that he will be entering the 2022 NFL draft and will forego his senior season.
Dean ranks as the No. 8 overall player and top ranked linebacker in this year’s draft, according to ESPN’s Todd McShay.
Dean finished second on the team in tackles (72) and sacks (six) last season and also had two interceptions.
Dean was a 5-star member of UGA’s 2019 recruiting class out of Horn Lake, Mississippi.