Tag: uga 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 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.”

Report: UGA football DB returns to the team

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Daran Branch has returned to the team following an absence.

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Daran Branch has returned to the team. Branch is back in Athens after returning home to Louisiana.

Branch was a three-star recruit in the class of 2020. Branch, a true freshman, played high school football at Amite in Louisiana.

Before committing to the University of Georgia, Branch was previously committed to the Ole Miss Rebels. Kirby Smart, former Ole Miss coach Matt Luke, 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 combine to form Georgia’s four scholarship defensive backs in the class of 2020. Branch has missed some important practice time and may be brought along slowly in 2020.

Branch was contemplating if he wanted to continue his football career and returned home, per 247Sports. DawgNation was the first to report Branch’s absence with the team.

Georgia has limited media availability during preseason practice, which makes information on Branch quite limited. We’ll continue to update you on his status.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

Report: Georgia DB not with the team

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Daran Branch is no longer with the team in Athens

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Daran Branch is no longer with the team in Athens after being a three-star recruit in the class of 2020. Branch, a true freshman, played high school football at Amite in Louisiana.

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. Without Branch, the class is a little bit thin at the defensive back position.

Branch is contemplating if he wants to continue his football career and returned home, per 247Sports. DawgNation was the first to report Branch’s absence with the team.

Georgia has limited media availability during preseason practice, which makes information on Branch quite limited.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

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.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

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:

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

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:

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

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.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

UGA football player card: DB Patrick Taylor

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Patrick Taylor played at Johns Creek High School before coming to UGA.

Patrick Taylor, defensive back (No. 38):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-0

Weight: 175 pounds

Hometown: Johns Creek, Georgia

High School: Johns Creek High School

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Patrick Taylor played at Johns Creek High School before coming to the University of Georgia as a preferred walk-on.

It is likely going to be a redshirt year for Taylor, if there’s any college football. Dan Lanning and the Georgia Bulldogs defense has a loaded defensive backfield for 2020 and beyond.

Patrick Taylor was an All Region and All State cornerback during his time in high school. Here’s how his announced his decision to attend UGA:

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

UGA football player card: DB Jehlen Cannady

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Jehlen Cannady played at Westside High School before coming to UGA as a preferred walk-on

Jehlen Cannady, defensive back (No. 43):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-0

Weight: 176 pounds

Hometown: Macon, Georgia

High School: Westside High School

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Jehlen Cannady played at Westside High School before coming to the University of Georgia as a preferred walk-on.

It is likely going to be a redshirt year for Cannady, if the SEC plays football. Dan Lanning and the Georgia Bulldogs defense has a loaded defensive backfield for 2020 and beyond.

Jehlen Cannady’s nickname is “Hollywood”. He was excited when UGA offered his a PWO offer in January of 2020.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]