Tag: Nakobe Dean uga

UGA linebacker named breakout player for 2020 season

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Nakobe Dean has been named a defensive breakout player heading into the 2020 college football season.

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Nakobe Dean has been named a defensive breakout player heading into the 2020 college football season. ESPN and SEC Network Analyst Cole Cubelic named Dean one of the SEC’s breakout players for the upcoming season.

We have to agree with Cubelic here. Nakobe Dean is an impressive athlete with excellent awareness. Dean is great at recognizing plays and has elite speed.

Here’s an example of some of Dean’s best traits. He quickly diagnoses the hand-off to the wide receiver on this play and gets out on the edge, forcing Auburn to settle for a short gain.

Dean will benefit from the departure of New York Giants linebacker Tae Crowder. Dean should have more opportunity this season. He impressed whenever he played last season.

Cubelic puts Mohamoud Diabate, Christian Barmore, Nakobe Dean, Damone Clark and Christian Tutt as his top five SEC defensive breakout players in 2020.

Who else from Georgia will breakout on defense next season? I think one of the top candidates in the country is Nolan Smith. Smith is a former five-star recruit, who flashed immense ability as a true freshman last season. Look for Smith to be a dominant force along with Azeez Ojulari.

[vertical-gallery id=24661]

UGA football player card: LB Nakobe Dean

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Nakobe Dean was a five-star recruit and recorded 175 tackles during his senior season in high school.

Nakobe Dean, Linebacker (#17):

Class: Sophomore

Height: 6-0

Weight: 220 pounds

Hometown: Horn Lake, Mississippi

High School: Horn Lake High School

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Nakobe Dean enrolled early in Athens and had an outstanding freshman season, despite being part of a deep linebacking corps rotation. Dean finished 2019 with 25 total tackles and played in all 14 games.

These were pretty pedestrian numbers for Dean compared to his senior season of high school. As a senior Dean racked up 175 tackles, seven sacks, three interceptions, and scored nine touchdowns at running back. Dean helped Horn Lake High School win a 6A state championship as a senior.

Dean’s looking to major in Mechanical Engineering. He’s a versatile man both on and off the field. His versatility will be attractive to NFL teams down the road. For now, Dawg fans should enjoy his well-rounded play:

Nakobe Dean, Monty Rice, Channing Tindall, Trezmen Marshall, Rian Davis, and Mekhail Sherman will compete for playing time as inside linebackers. Dean is projected to fill in Tae Crowder’s spot.

Dean was considered to the top linebacker in his class. He’s living up to his billing as a five-star thus far.

 

Jan 3, 2019; Orlando, FL, USA; Linebacker Nakobe Dean rushes during the second half at Camping World Stadium. Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

[lawrence-auto-related count=2]