Tag: uga football linebackers

Georgia football player card: LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson comes to Athens after being ranked as a four-star outside linebacker prospect

Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Linebacker (No. 10):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-1

Weight: 235 pounds

Hometown: Hyattsville, Maryland

High School: St. Frances Academy

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson comes to Athens after being ranked as a four-star outside linebacker prospect. Dumas-Johnson may project as more of an inside linebacker in Dan Lanning and Georgia’s defensive scheme.

Dumas-Johnson committed to UGA over schools like Auburn, Michigan, Florida, Maryland, Penn State, and Texas A&M. He was ranked as the No. 189 overall recruit in the class of 2021. Dumas-Johnson is widely regarded as one of the best linebackers in his class.

Jamon Dumas-Johnson and St. Frances Academy are featured on HBO’s β€œThe Cost of Winning” documentary. His speed and versatility will translate well to the college level.

Here’s a look back at when Dumas-Johnson committed to the University of Georgia:

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Georgia LB Monty Rice drops highlight video ahead of NFL Draft

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Monty Rice declared for the 2021 NFL draft this offseason. Here are his highlights.

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Monty Rice declared for the 2021 NFL draft this offseason. Now, the James Clemens High School product will look to impress NFL scouts and find an NFL home.

Rice leaves the University of Georgia with an impressive resume. He racked up 49 total tackles in 2020 and forced two fumbles in four seasons.

Rice finished the 2019 season as a second-team All-SEC performer. Rice recorded a team-best 89 tackles in 2019. He helped Georgia have the top run defense in the country in 2019.

Rice came to Athens as a low four-star or high three-star recruit depending on the recruiting service. Rice proved himself right away and was a big reason UGA didn’t allow a rushing touchdown in 2019. Overall, he was a key piece on some of the most impressive defenses in the country throughout his career.

Rice and Georgia’s defense held opposing teams to the lowest yards per carry average in the nation last season. Rice’s sound gap integrity and consistent tackling helped Georgia’s run defense be so efficient.

Here’s Monty Rice’s career highlights from his time at the University of Georgia:

Monty Rice’s highlights show off some of his top strengths: tackling in the open field, play recognition and his ability to force fumbles. He has the talent to play right away on early downs in the NFL.

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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.

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UGA football player card: LB Miles Miccichi

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Miles Miccichi walked on to the football team in 2018 and recorded a 4.0 GPA in 2019.

Miles Miccichi, Linebacker (No. 55):

Class: Redshirt sophomore

Height: 6-1

Weight: 227 pounds

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

High School: Lakeside High School

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Miles Miccichi walked on to the football team in 2018. He redshirted as a freshman that season and has primarily played for the scout team during the past two seasons.

Impressively, Miccichi was one of only 26 student-athletes at the University of Georgia to earn a 4.0 GPA in 2019.

Miccichi’s lack of playing time can be attributed to the depth Dan Lanning and Georgia have built on their elite defense. He’ll battle for playing time with Monty Rice, Nakobe Dean, Rian Davis, Trezmen Marshall, Quay Walker and more at the inside linebacker position.

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Georgia football player card: LB Monty Rice

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Monty Rice finished the 2019 season as a second team All-SEC performer

Monty Rice, Linebacker (No. 32):

Class: Senior

Height: 6-1

Weight: 235 pounds

Hometown: Huntsville, Alabama

High School: James Clemens High School

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Monty Rice finished the 2019 season as a second team All-SEC performer. Rice racked up a team best 89 tackles last season. He helped Georgia have the top run defense in the country in 2019.

Rice will start at inside linebacker for Georgia next season. He’s a solid NFL Draft prospect and surprised some when he decided to return to Athens. Rice has only missed five games in his career.

He came to Athens as a lowly rated four-star or three-star recruit depending on the recruiting service. Rice was a big reason UGA didn’t allow a rushing touchdown last season:

Rice will lead an elite defense once again in 2020. Georgia returns key players at every level of the defense. Dan Lanning and the Bulldog defense will be the strength of the team.

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Georgia football player card: LB Quay Walker

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Quay Walker came to the UGA as a four-star recruit. He also played basketball for Crisp County High School.

Quay Walker, Linebacker (No. 25):

Class: Junior

Height: 6-4

Weight: 240 pounds

Hometown: Cordele, Georgia

High School: Crisp County High School

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Quay Walker came to the University of Georgia as a four-star recruit. He also played basketball for Crisp County High School. Walker recorded 23 tackles last season, including a sack.

Walker has played in all but one game throughout his career. Kirby Smart and the Georgia coaching staff considered him one of the most improved players on the team in 2019.

Walker had one of the most entertaining commitments in recent memory:

Walker should have a decent sized role for Dan Lanning’s defense in 2020. Walker can help fill in for some of the missed snaps and production from NFL Draft pick Tae Crowder.

Walker, Trezmen Marshall, Nakobe Dean, and Nate McBride will compete for playing time at linebacker. Returning stud Monty Rice is projected to start at the other inside linebacker position.

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