Georgia Position Preview: Linebackers
If you thought Georgia football's defensive line was deep, take a look at the linebacker corps. The Bulldogs have eight talented linebackers expected to see action in some capacity this season.
This makes sense because the defense revolves around the linebackers. They are asked to do everything. Bulldogs linebackers must be able to roam sideline-to-sideline, pass rush from the second level, fill gaps in the running game and even play man coverage against some of the SEC's best receivers.
That's an exhausting list of tasks and the coaches recognize this, which is why Georgia has so many talented players ready to take the field at a moment's notice.
Linebacker Depth Chart:
- Mike: Nakobe Dean, junior
- Will: Quay Walker, senior
- LB3: Channing Tindall, senior
- LB4: Rian Davis, sophomore
- LB5: Xavian Sorey, freshman
- LB6: Smael Mondon, freshman
- LB7: Trezman Marshall, sophomore
- LB8: Jamon Dumas-Johnson
While the revolves around the linebackers, if one player is highlighted, that would be Dean. He has already picked up the torch formerly held by Monty Rice, Tae Crowder and Roquan Smith. Considering all the requirements for Georgia's linebackers, Dean meets them with the most consistency.
Walker is capable of matching Dean. He has the talent and athleticism, but he's lacked the consistency so far in his career. Walker is the ultimate "how did he do that/why did he do that," player. If Walker can add consistency, he and Dean could become the best linebacker duo in school history.
Tindall might be Georgia's best pass rusher from the second level. He has a knack for delayed blitzes and chasing down scrambling quarterbacks. Expect to see Tindall a lot on passing downs as Georgia seeks to wreak havoc in the backfield.
Davis has worked to overcome a knee injury suffered during his senior year of high school. He redshirted in 2019 before playing mostly on special teams in 2020.
His high-school tape and measurables were very promising, but we don't know if he's still the same player post-injury. It would be a good idea to set Twitter alerts for Davis this spring and pay close attention to him during the G-Day game.
New to Georgia's roster are a trio of highly-touted freshmen: Sorey, Mondon and Dumas-Johnson. None will make a huge splash this season as both Sorey and Mondon need to add some mass and develop to meet Georgia's linebacker standards. However, both are too skilled to not make some kind of impact. Sorey and Mondon will be fun to watch late during blowouts.
