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Georgia may be losing much of its production from 2021’s record breaking defense, but there are several Bulldogs who have elected to return to Athens for 2022 that will make a huge impact.
Returning safeties Tykee Smith and Christopher Smith will help solidify the back end of Georgia’s defense after losing All-SEC starter Lewis Cine to the draft.
Pro Football Focus has tabbed the pair as two of the top-10 returning safeties in the entire country.
1️⃣ Antonio Johnson
2️⃣ Tykee Smith
3️⃣ Jordan Battle@PFF_Anthony ranks his top ten Safeties returning to CFB for 2022👇https://t.co/gn9r9BMlHK— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) January 28, 2022
Tykee comes in at No. 2 and Christopher is ranked No. 6 by PFF.
After missing most of 2021 with an ankle and eventually a torn ACL, Tykee will be asked to contribute as soon as he is healthy. He was an All-American in 2020 at West Virginia before transferring to Athens last summer.
Christopher led the Bulldogs in interceptions in 2021 with three and racked up 34 tackles and four pass breakups to boot.