Tag: georgia secondary

Georgia has No. 1 secondary in the nation

The Dawgs’s secondary may be the best in the country

When Georgia lost a NFL draft record 15 players this spring, some couldn’t picture how the Bulldogs could revamp its roster to the level of dominance that was displayed in 2021.

Yet here we are with just eight weeks left till kickoff and UGA has one of the top quarterback rooms, tight end rooms and now, the Dawgs’ secondary has been named the No. 1 unit in college football by CBS Sports.

Cornerback Kelee Ringo returns as one of the top corners in the country and is joined by senior safety Christopher Smith along with former All-American safety Tykee Smith, senior defensive back William Poole and versatile sophomore Kamari Lassiter.

“Georgia ranked 13th nationally in passing defense last season, allowing just 190.9 yards per game through the air. That was especially impressive since opponents were airing it out while typically playing from behind. Even with some attrition, this group should be elite again, and it’s led by elite cornerback Kelee Ringo. The redshirt sophomore and former top-ranked corner from the 2020 class was recently projected as the No. 4 pick in an early 2023 NFL mock draft by CBS Sports draft expert Ryan Wilson. If West Virginia transfer Tykee Smith can return to his 2020 All-American form after dealing with injury last season, it would further solidify Georgia’s case to be at the top.” – David Cobb

If the Bulldogs front seven can reload after losing six to the draft, UGA’s secondary should be able to take advantage with the different skillsets they each bring to the table.

 

Georgia football player card: DB Latavious Brini

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Latavious Brini had 11 tackles including 3.5 tackles for loss last season

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Latavious Brini, defensive back (No. 36):

Class: Senior

Height: 6-2

Weight: 210 pounds

Hometown: Miami Gardens, Florida

High School: Mater Academy Charter

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Latavious Brini had the best year of his career in 2020. Brini finished the 2020 season with 11 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss. Brini had a career-high five tackles against Cincinnati in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, which was his first career start.

Brini came to the University of Georgia as a three-star recruit. Brini played in five games in 2019, when he intercepted a pass against Murray State.

Brini is another example of Georgia football’s increased recruiting in Florida. Florida, Florida State and Miami have been losing a lot of talent to Clemson, Georgia and Alabama over the past decade.

Georgia’s defense is projected to be great once again next season. Brini brings 17 games of experience to the secondary, which is important for the Dawgs, who lost Eric Stokes, Tyson Campbell, Mark Webb and Richard LeCounte to the 2021 NFL draft.

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Georgia football player card: DB William Poole

Georgia Bulldogs senior defensive back William Poole saw action in six of Georgia’s ten games in 2020.

William Poole, Defensive Back (No. 31):

Class: Senior

Height: 6-0

Weight: 190 pounds

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

High School: Hapeville Charter High School

Georgia Bulldogs senior defensive back William Poole saw action in six of Georgia’s ten games in 2020. The Atlanta, Georgia, native has played in 22 total games throughout his Georgia career and has accumulated 13 career tackles.

Poole came to the University of Georgia as a four-star recruit. Poole redshirted in 2019 when he played against Murray State, Arkansas State, and Georgia Tech and recorded three tackles.

He saw a good amount playing time a sophomore in 2018. That season he played in eight games and secured ten total tackles.

Poole and fellow Georgia defensive back Christopher Smith were teammates at Hapeville Charter.

Georgia is looking less thin in the secondary following the additions of West Virginia transfer Tykee Smith and Clemson transfer Derion Kendrick.

The Dawgs have Kelee Ringo, Ameer Speed, Jalen Kimber, and more returning at cornerback. Georgia’s defensive front is expected to be elite once again next season.

Sep 8, 2018; Columbia, SC, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back William Poole (31) brings down South Carolina Gamecocks running back Ty’Son Williams (27) in the first half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

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Georgia football HC Kirby Smart: ‘The DBs are coming along’

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart discussed the secondary following UGA football’s second scrimmage.

Georgia is tasked with the challenge of replacing a ton of talent in the secondary this offseason.

In the secondary, Georgia will have a new look after losing Richard LeCounte, Mark Webb, Eric Stokes, Tyson Campbell, DJ Daniel and Tyrique Stevenson.

The Bulldogs signed West Virginia transfer Tykee Smith, which should help. Smith has four career interceptions and was named PFF’s No. 5 returning defensive back in college football.

The former West Virginia star is reuniting with defensive backs coach Jahmile Addae in Athens. The pair helped West Virginia field the nation’s top pass defense in 2020.

Smart did not say much about the WVU transfer when talking with reporters after the team’s scrimmage on Saturday, but he mentioned the improvement he’s seen in the entire secondary.

“The DBs are coming along. We’ve got a long way to go, but we’re getting there,” Smart said. “I haven’t seen any regress. That’s the good thing. If we’re on a one-mile journey, we just hit the first quarter. We’ve got a ways to go. We’ve got to figure out who it is.”

The Bulldogs’ defense took a step back in 2020 after a phenomenal 2019 season in which the group ranked among the top five in the FBS in nearly every category.

Last season, though, especially in the passing game, Georgia’s defense seemed soft. After ranking 31st in the nation in 2019, Georgia’s passing defense ranked 88th last year, giving up 248.7 passing yards per game. Georgia’s rush defense, however, has ranked No. 1 in back-to-back seasons, giving up an average of 73.4 yards per game on the ground over the last two years.

Georgia returns no starters at cornerback for 2021. Players expected to see action include:

Ameer Speed

Jalen Kimber

Daran Branch

Nyland Green

Lovasea Carroll (a converted running back)

“I will say this,” Smart said. “Every one of them wants to get better, and every one of them are trying to get better. We’ve had flashes of some good plays but consistently we have to improve. We have to improve our consistency in the secondary. That starts with tackling, that starts with eye control. It’s not just the corners. It’s the safeties as well and communication. All of those things are critical, and we’re not where we need to be but I didn’t expect them to be right now. We’ve got a ways to go.”

Georgia football DB selects transfer destination

Former Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Hugh Nelson is transferring to the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

Former Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Hugh Nelson is transferring to the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. Nelson is a redshirt sophomore previously entered into the NCAA transfer portal earlier this offseason. Now, Nelson has found his new home.

Hugh Nelson joins fellow walk-on Kolby Wyatt as the second Georgia Bulldog to transfer to Hawaii this offseason.

Nelson will be immediately eligible at Hawaii (like all transfers this offseason). He graduates in May of 2021 and will have three years of eligibility remaining.

Nelson walked on to the football team in 2018 and took a redshirt that season while he primarily served as a key scout team player. In fact, Nelson won the Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year award for his effort in 2018.

Nelson played in the Arkansas State game in the 2019 season, but did not appear in any games during 2020. Prior to coming to the University of Georgia, Nelson ran track and played football during his time at Hillgrove High School.

Hugh Nelson announced his decision to transfer to Hawaii via his Twitter account:

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Georgia football DB enters transfer portal

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Hugh Nelson has entered into the NCAA transfer portal.

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Hugh Nelson, a redshirt sophomore, has entered into the NCAA transfer portal. Nelson is looking for a new home.

Nelson will be immediately eligible at his new school (like all transfers this offseason), if he decides to transfer away from Georgia. He graduates in May of 2021 and will have three years of eligibility remaining.

He walked on to the football team in 2018 and took a redshirt that season while he primarily served as a key scout team player. In fact, Nelson won the Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year award for his effort in 2018.

Nelson appeared in the Arkansas State game in the 2019 season, but did not play in any games during 2020. Before coming to the University of Georgia, Nelson ran track and played football during his time at Hillgrove High School.

Hugh Nelson announced his decision via his Twitter account:

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Georgia football player card: DB Kelee Ringo

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Kelee Ringo comes to Athens after having offseason shoulder surgery.

Kelee Ringo, defensive back (No. 5):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-2

Weight: 205 pounds

Hometown: Tacoma, Washington

High School: Saguaro (Arizona)

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Kelee Ringo comes to Athens after being rated as a five-star recruit. Most scouting services considered Ringo to be the top cornerback recruit in the class of 2020.

Ringo played in the 2020 All-American Bowl and committed to the University of Georgia during the game.

He played both defensive back and running back at Saguaro High School. As a junior, Ringo ran a 10.4 one-hundred meters. He has elite size and speed for a cornerback. Georgia football was pursuing a four-star defensive end (Quintin Somerville), who is a member of the class of 2021 at Saguaro High School.

Ringo underwent offseason shoulder surgery and is expected to miss a portion of the 2020 college football season.

Daran Branch, Kelee Ringo, Jalen Kimber and Major Burns are Georgia’s four scholarship defensive backs in the class of 2020. These four have a lot of talent.

Georgia’s secondary is deep this season with Eric Stokes, D.J. Daniel, Tyson Campbell, Richard LeCounte, Lewis Cine and more. Daniel and LeCounte are both seniors, so there could be a large contingent of new faces in the 2021 Georgia secondary. Campbell and Stokes have NFL potential and could leave following their junior season this year.

Ringo will be exciting to watch when he gets healthy.

Saguaro’s Kelee Ringo wins heat of the 200 meters during the 2019 Arizona State Track and Field Championship at Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona, May 03, 2019.

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Georgia football player card: DB Jalen Kimber

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Jalen Kimber played elite high school competition at Mansfield Timberview in Texas.

Jalen Kimber, defensive back (No. 6):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-0

Weight: 170 pounds

Hometown: Mansfield, Texas

High School: Mansfield Timberview

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Jalen Kimber is yet another example of Kirby Smart going beyond Georgia’s typical recruiting sphere in order to secure the nation’s top talent. Kimber is a four-star cornerback and was a member of the class of 2020.

Kimber brings incredible athleticism to Athens. He runs a 4.4 forty yard dash and has a 42 inch vertical jump. He was selected to the 2020 All-American Bowl.

He played against stout high school competition in Texas. Additionally, Kimber enrolled early in Athens, so he should be quite prepared for college football’s high level of competition.

Daran Branch, Kelee Ringo (who recently underwent shoulder surgery), Jalen Kimber, and Major Burns make up Georgia’s four scholarship defensive backs in the class of 2020. The four have a lot of talent.

Georgia’s secondary is deep this season with the likes of Eric Stokes, DJ Daniel, Tyson Campbell, Richard LeCounte, Lewis Cine and more. Daniel and LeCounte are both seniors, so there could be a large contingent of new faces in the 2021 Georgia secondary.

Throwback to the day Kimber signed with the Georgia Bulldogs:

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Georgia football player card: DB Major Burns

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Major Burns committed to UGA after being rated as a four-star recruit.

Major Burns, defensive back (No. 20):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-2

Weight: 175 pounds

Hometown: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

High School: Madison Prep Academy

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Major Burns committed to UGA despite playing high school football in LSU’s backyard. Burns enrolled early at the University of Georgia.

He came to Athens as a four-star recruit. He was quite a versatile athlete in high school, where he played several different positions.

Daran Branch, Kelee Ringo (who recently underwent shoulder surgery), Jalen Kimber, and Major Burns make up Georgia’s four scholarship defensive backs in the class of 2020. The four should all have a bright future.

Dan Lanning, Kirby Smart, and the Georgia defense are looking to replace the safety spot opposite Richard LeCounte this year. Lewis Cine is projected to start at safety, but Burns has the talent to compete with Cine and possibly play as a true freshman.

Burns will add weight to his lengthy frame over the years in Athens. He’s ready for the 2020 college football season:

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Georgia football player card: DB Daran Branch

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Daran Branch comes to Athens after being a three-star recruit in the class of 2020.

Daran Branch, defensive back (No. 26):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-2

Weight: 178 pounds

Hometown: Amite, Louisiana

High School: Amite High School

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Daran Branch comes to Athens after being a three-star recruit in the class of 2020. Branch has excellent length for a cornerback.

Before committing to the University of Georgia, Branch was committed to the Ole Miss Rebels. Kirby Smart and the Dawgs were able to get him to flip on signing day in 2020.

Daran Branch, Kelee Ringo (who recently underwent shoulder surgery), Jalen Kimber, and Major Burns make up Georgia’s four scholarship defensive backs in the class of 2020. Branch is the only player of the group who isn’t rated as a four or five-star prospect. That being said, three-star recruits commonly make impacts at both the college and pro football levels.

Dan Lanning and the Georgia Bulldogs defense has a loaded defensive backfield for 2020 and beyond. Eric Stokes and Tyson Campbell are projected to be UGA’s starting cornerbacks next season.

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