Tag: azeez olujari

Projected 2020 Georgia football depth chart: Linebackers

We project what Georgia’s line-backing core will look like in 2020 after a record breaking year for the Bulldogs defense in 2019.

The 2019 Georgia defense might have been the best in program history. The Bulldogs finished the season ranked No. 1 in scoring defense, No. 3 in total defense and only allowed two rushing touchdowns all year.

The Georgia defense in 2020 will look a little different, mainly because of the departures of safety J.R. Reed and linebacker Tae Crowder to the NFL. However, Georgia returns a majority of starters from the record-setting unit in 2019, led by coach Kirby Smart and one of the most experienced linebackers in the SEC, Monty Rice.

Here is our projection of what the linebacker depth chart will look like in the Fall:

MIKE 

Monty Rice (32) – Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

1. Monty Rice (Sr.)

2. Quay Walker (Jr.)

3. Rian Davis (RFr.)

WILL

Nakobe Dean (17) –  Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

1. Nakobe Dean (So.)

2. Channing Tindall (Jr.)

3. Trezmen Marshall (So.)

SAM

Jermaine Johnson (11) –  Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

1. Jermaine Johnson (Sr.)

2. Walter Grant (Sr.)

3. Adam Anderson (Jr.)

JACK

Azeez Ojulari (13) – Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

1. Azeez Ojulari (RSo.)

2. Nolan Smith (So.)

3. Mekhail Sherman (Fr.) / Robert Beal (RJr.)

Georgia has two of the highest graded returning edge defenders in SEC

According to PFF, Georgia edge defenders Malik Herring and Azeez Olujari are two of the top three returning in the SEC in 2020.

According to PFF (Pro Football Focus) Georgia is returning two of the SEC’s top edge defenders for the 2020 season.

Georgia senior defensive end Malik Herring graded as the highest returning SEC edge defender at 90.5. Herring, from Forsyth, Georgia, played in 13 games for the Bulldogs in 2019 and recorded five tackles for loss and 26 total tackles as part of a Georgia defensive line that played mostly as a unit, rotating in and out to keep legs fresh.

A few points behind Kentucky’s Jamar Watson on the list is Georgia red-shirt sophomore Azeez Ojulari, who graded as the third best SEC returning edge defender at 78.0.

After a red-shirting his freshman season, Ojulari burst onto the scene for the Bulldogs in 2019, recording 36 tackles and six for a loss. Against Tennessee, the Marietta, Georgia native led the team with two sacks and 10 quarterback pressures.

The 2019 Georgia defense was one of the best the Bulldogs have ever seen. And with the help of returning starters like Malik Herring and Azeez Olujari with veterans like Monty Rice and Richard LeCounte III, Georgia could have another record-breaking defense in 2020.