Respected college football analyst, Dr. SEC, believes that Georgia Bulldogs defensive end/outside linebacker Nolan Smith will be a SEC breakout player next season. Smith came to Athens as a five-star recruit. Some scouting services rated him as the top player in the country coming out of IMG Academy.
Smith has immense potential and was a key piece of Georgia’s defense, which held opponents to the fewest points per game in the NCAA last season. Smith and Georgia’s front seven were remarkable in stopping the run, but have room to improve in their pass rush.
If Dan Lanning and Georgia’s defense can improve their pass rush, then the Dawgs will be incredibly disruptive to every offense they face. Georgia’s 31.0 sacks last season ranked 60th in the NCAA. Nolan Smith’s progression could go a long way towards helping the Bulldogs have the best pass rush in the SEC.
No.5 SEC breakout player is UGA linebacker @SmithNoland2 He finished last season with 2.5 sacks but on a defense already loaded, found a way to notch 15 quarterback hurries as well. Read why I believe he & Azeez Ojulari will dominate next season. https://t.co/58JJ2Z5JgI pic.twitter.com/Klr69y4Smr
— Dr. SEC (@thedrsec) June 22, 2020
Georgia’s defense returns the majority of their starters and key depth players. In fact, according to PFF, Georgia football returns the second most quarterback pressures in the FBS.
Total QB pressures among returning players:
1. Florida State – 240
2. Georgia – 227
3. Virginia – 204
4. Wyoming – 187 pic.twitter.com/fINnCAw4lB— PFF College (@PFF_College) June 21, 2020
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