Tag: nakobe dean

Pat Fields named Wuerffel Trophy Finalist celebrating exemplary community service

Oklahoma Sooners senior safety Pat Fields was announced as a finalist for the Wuerffel Trophy.

While he’s been a constant on the field for the Sooners over the years, Pat Fields has been just as remarkable off of it. Fresh off the press, Fields was nominated as a finalist for the prestigious Wuerffel Trophy, an award celebrating the FBS player who balances exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement. Nakobe Dean, a junior linebacker from the No. 1 ranked Georgia Bulldogs and Isaiah Sanders, a senior quarterback from Stanford join him as finalists.

Fields is a fourth-year senior safety from Tulsa, OK who has been a consistent and integral player in the Sooners’ defensive reimagining dubbed “Speed D.” When he’s not coming up making plays in the backfield, intercepting passes, or returning blocked kicks for points, he’s compiling a 3.82 GPA while pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting and a master’s degree in accounting. According to the official athletic website of the Sooners, both degrees project to be completed by December 2021.

His notable efforts with community service include the founding of “Town Business,” a financial literacy seminar. The seminar focuses heavily on teaching high school football student-athletes about budgeting, money management, credit, and personal branding. He enlisted the help of other notable college athletes, as well as current and former NFL players to help him.

His efforts mean so much to the area of Tulsa. Tulsa has seen a boom in the quality of athletes that are being produced there as they’ve produced high-level, professional-caliber athletes, for a while now. Look no further than former Sooner cornerback Tre Brown, who is contributing as a rookie for the Seattle Seahawks.

In addition to the seminar, he has started the Black Wall Street Scholarship. In collaboration with the president of the OU National Black Alumni Association, Black Wall Street provides scholarships for minority, underrepresented, and lower-income students from his hometown of Tulsa looking to come to Oklahoma while also hosting free football camps during the spring and summer.

His academic achievements include multiple Academic All-District selections (2020-21) and three Academic All-Big 12 First Team selections. He’s received multiple Scholar of the Year awards as well.

Most will only see him as the two-time captain, a three-year starter at safety with 189 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 10 pass breakups, and three interceptions on his ledger. Currently, he sits second on the team with 67 tackles, has 4.5 TFLs and two interceptions through 11 games this season.

The winner of the 2021 Wuerffel Trophy will be announced Dec. 9 on The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN, a televised event that wraps up award season for college football, while the actual presentation of the trophy takes place on Feb. 25, 2022, at the 53rd All Sports Association Awards Banquet in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

As Fields potentially nears the end of his career as a homegrown Oklahoma Sooner in the next few weeks, regardless of how these next few weeks go, he will leave an incredible ambassador for his community, school, and his family on top of being an excellent ballplayer that helped bring respect back to the Oklahoma defense.

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Georgia LB Nakobe Dean a finalist for Butkus Award

Dean a finalist for the Butkus Award.

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Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean has been named a finalist for the 2021 Butkus Award, given to the nation’s top linebacker.

Dean is one of six finalists for the award.

The winner of the award will be announced on or before December 7. The latest Georgia Bulldog to win this award was Roquan Smith in 2017. Monty Rice was a finalist for the award in 2020.

Dean, a junior out of Horn Lake, Mississippi, is a former five star recruit. He currently ranks second on the team with 50 tackles.

Two Georgia players named semifinalists for Bednarik Award

Georgia is the only team in the nation with two players as semifinalists for the Bednarik Award, given to the nation’s most outstanding defensive player.

Two Georgia Bulldogs have been named among the 18 semifinalists for the Bednarik Award, given to the nation’s best defensive player.

Georgia is the only team in the nation with two players on the list. Defensive lineman Jordan Davis and linebacker Nakobe Dean are the two Dawgs recognized as semifinalists.

Both Davis and Dean have been outstanding for Georgia’s top ranked defense this year.

Davis, at 6-foot-6, 340 pounds, has become a household name among college football fans this year for his size, athleticism and overall domination. The stats are not there for Davis, but anyone who has watched a Georgia game this season is aware of the difference he makes.

Dean may not be as well-known of a name yet outside of the DawgNation, but he’s getting the job and had one of his best games of the year on Saturday against Florida. He recorded seven tackles, had a quarterback hurry that led to an interception and had a pick-six to close out the first half in Georgia’s win. Dean ranks second on the team in tackles and sacks.

Prospect for Jags fans to know: Georgia LB Nakobe Dean

For this week’s prospect preview, @DanDGriffis looked at one of the best linebackers in the country in Nakobe Dean.

There has been a tremendous amount of discussion surrounding the No.1 ranked Georgia Bulldogs and their vaunted defense. The Bulldogs have allowed just six total touchdowns through eight games and their impressive win against the Florida Gators put all remaining doubts to rest.

For Georgia, defensively, it starts with their veteran leaders in defensive lineman Jordan Davis and linebacker Nakobe Dean. Davis has gotten a fair bit of national recognition, shining week after week as the nation’s best run-stuffing defensive tackle. Going into Jacksonville, Dean on the other hand felt he needed to make a statement himself. Oh, did he.

Nakobe Dean (6-foot-0, 225 pounds) is a bit on the smaller side for a linebacker, but he more than makes up for it with his relentlessness, awareness, and polish. There are no holes in his game aside from his slighter frame.

On the year, Dean has collected 37 total tackles, five tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and two interceptions. His impact has been felt all over the field.

Dean can run sideline to sideline, fill holes, shoot through gaps, and has no issues dropping into coverage. He’s what every general manager looks for in a modern-day linebacker. Let’s take a look again at his recent pick-six against Florida’s Anthony Richardson.

While we don’t have a view of the entire field, I think it is fair to assume that Dean read Richardson the entire way. Dean’s awareness and anticipation stand out in what is generally regarded as a weak linebacker class. He had another fantastic play in coverage against the Gators as well.

While not as impactful as his interception, this play is arguably harder to make. Dean lines up over Florida’s running back Nay’Quan Wright, who is very quick might I add; Dean initially gives him space, however, his ability to recover and make a play on the ball here is what really intrigues me.

From his leadership and intangibles to his ability to read the field and react, Dean has firmly implanted himself in the discussion for the first linebacker to be selected. Dean has shown he will do whatever it takes to help his team win, as he regularly plays special teams for Kirby Smart. He’s everything you want in a leader and a middle linebacker.

With the Jaguars’ hole in the middle of their defense after the preseason trade of Joe Schobert, Dean could be a Day 1 starter who has a massive impact in both the run and pass defenses. We know Urban Meyer loves those players who will play special teams as well. Watch out for No. 17 for the Bulldogs, he might be just the guy Jacksonville needs to elevate its defense to the next level.

Where Georgia players rank on Mel Kiper’s draft position rankings

Where do Georgia players rank in Mel Kiper’s position rankings for the NFL draft?

Georgia set a school record during the 2021 NFL draft when it had nine Bulldogs selected, breaking its previous record of eight players (2002, 2013).

This year, Georgia will look to break that record again and send double-digit players into the NFL.

ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper has ranked each position group’s top-ten players for next year’s draft, and included ten Georgia Bulldogs.

Here is where they all rank in Kiper’s position rankings:

Three Georgia players make Todd McShay’s top 32 for 2022 NFL draft

Three Dawgs make Todd McShay’s top-32

Three Georgia Bulldogs have made ESPN NFL draft analyst Todd Mcshay’s list of the best 32 prospect for the 2022 draft.

Georgia set a school record during the 2021 NFL draft when it had nine Bulldogs selected, breaking its previous record of eight players (2002, 2013).

This year, Georgia will look to break that record again and send double-digit players into the NFL.

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The three Georgia Bulldogs that made McShay’s top 32 include defensive lineman Jordan Davis, inside linebacker Nakobe Dean and outside linebacker Adam Anderson.

No. 13: DL Jordan Davis

Davis is a massive 3-4 nose tackle, but he has experience as a traditional defensive tackle in a 4-3, too. He has power and will bull-rush blockers back into their quarterback. But he is more of a disrupter than a finisher — he has just 1.5 sacks in seven games — and lacks first-step quickness and redirect ability. Against the run, Davis does a great job with gap control and is a true space eater. Good luck moving him off his spot. Watching his tape, the thing that jumps out is how often he requires double-team attention.

No. 14: ILB Nakobe Dean

Dean is an off-ball linebacker who has good speed, suddenness, range and instincts. He can match up with running backs in coverage, but he can also go sideline to sideline in run defense. Dean will make a lot of plays in pursuit, closing on ball carriers and wrapping up on tackles. His improvement as a blitzer this season has been impressive, too. He can locate gaps and close on the QB. Dean shows an excellent motor on every single down.

No. 29: OLB Adam Anderson

Anderson’s speed off the edge is exceptional; he plays with explosion. He has great first-step quickness and snap in his hands, getting in and out of blocks. In run defense, Anderson is at his best when turned loose in pursuit. Anderson will need to continue to get stronger, though. He gets engulfed too often; his speed-to-power moves stall out, and he doesn’t have the lower-body power to make a big impact against the run. He will likely start as a pass rush specialist in the NFL before developing into an every-down player with versatility.

Mel Kiper 2022 NFL draft big board: Jordan Davis somehow left off

How can you leave Jordan Davis off the Big Board?

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ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper’s 2022 NFL draft Big Board, in which he ranks the 25 best prospects for next year’s event, included one former Georgia Bulldog.

Nakobe Dean made the top-25, checking in at No. 13. Dean is certainly deserving of being high on the rankings. He’s fast, has great instincts, can rush the passer, stops the run and can defend the pass. Dean also ranks No. 2 on Kiper’s rankings of the best inside linebackers.

He’s the leader of one of the best defenses in recent college football history. Dean runs sideline to sideline to blow up plays and is a sure tackler once he finds the ball carrier. He has 30 tackles, 3.5 sacks — he’s a great blitzer — and an interception this season.

But left off the top-25, somehow, was Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis. Kiper ranks Davis as his No. 2 defensive tackle in next year’s draft, yet did not have him on the Big Board.

I just don’t understand it. If I’m an NFL general manager – which maybe it’s a good thing I’m not – and I see Davis still available at around No. 10, I’m not thinking twice. Sure, you have to fill your needs, so take your quarterbacks and skill players, but Davis is the best of the rest. He’s 6-foot-6, 340 pounds and moves like a linebacker. I’ve quite honestly never seen anyone like him.

Unlike Kiper, ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay did have Davis on his board. McShay had Davis ranked No. 13 on his list.

Georgia LB Nakobe Dean a quarterfinalist for Lott Trophy

Some national love for Nakobe

Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean has been named a quarterfinalist for the Lott IMPACT® Trophy. Dean is one of 20 players to make it to the next round.

The award goes to the student-athlete who best exhibits the characteristics of NFL legendary safety Ronnie Lott by making an impact on and off the field. IMPACT® is an acronym for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.

Dean has been nothing short of stellar this season for the Bulldogs. Kirby Smart referred to him as the “commander in chief.”

“(Dean) is the commander in chief of making our calls,” Smart said on Tuesday night. “He’s very physical. He keys things really well, a very instinctive football player as Roquan (Smith) was as well.”

Dean is currently second on the team with 30 tackles this season. He has also added 3.5 sacks and an interception.

The semi-finalists for the award will be chosen in late November and four finalists in December. The four finalists will be invited to attend the annual Lott IMPACT® Trophy award show, December 12, 2021, in Newport Beach, California.

Two Georgia Bulldogs make ESPN’s midseason All-America team

Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean make ESPN’s midseason All-America team

ESPN has released its 2021 midseason All-America team and included two members of the Georgia Bulldogs defense.

The Georgia defense has been nothing short of dominant all season, allowing just 26 total points this season and two touchdowns.

Two players in particular, defensive lineman Jordan Davis and linebacker Nakobe Dean, have stood out among the rest this season.

ESPN included both of them on its midseason team.

DT Jordan Davis:

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. now projects him as a top-15 pick. At 6 feet, 6 inches and 340 pounds, Davis is a space eater in the interior. But Davis’ extraordinary quickness for a man his size allows him to chase down quarterbacks in the backfield and running backs on the perimeter.

LB Nakobe Dean:

Dean is every bit as impactful as Davis on the best defense in the FBS. The Mississippi native has more than lived up to his lofty reputation as a recruit. He has 23 tackles, four tackles for loss, 3½ sacks, 11 quarterback hurries and one interception through six games. Dean is PFF’s highest-rated linebacker with an 89.3 grade.

Watch: Georgia forces much needed turnover on Auburn’s second drive

That’s the Georgia defense we were expecting..

The game got off to an absolutely perfect start for the Auburn offense. They moved the ball at will against the Georgia defense and had made it inside the 10 yard line before taking a field goal.

When Georgia got the ball back, it went three and out and was forced to punt.

But then Georgia’s defense remembered it is the nation’s top ranked defense and acted like it. Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean made an athletic interception, giving UGA great starting field possession on its second drive.