Spring Position Review: Defensive Line
If there's one area Georgia Football never seems to worry about, it's the defensive line. Year in and year out, the Bulldogs field the most dominant group of defensive linemen in the SEC.
The 2021 season should be no different. In fact, this year's group might be the best of the Kirby Smart era. Spring camp didn't yield any big surprises personnel-wise, but it did reveal a lot about which roles certain players will fill.
Defensive End
- DE1: Travon Walker
- DE2: Jalen Carter
- DE3: Marlin Dean
- DE4: Tramel Walthour
- DE5: Bill Norton
Early in spring camp, head coach Kirby Smart said Walker was replacing Malik Herring and Azeez Ojulari. That's a huge leap in responsibilities for a junior who hasn't started a game yet. However, Smart and defensive coordinator Dan Lanning clearly believe Walker is ready for the job.
What does that responsibility look like schematically? If the G-Day game is any indication, he will play all over the defensive line.
Walker is Georgia's best pass-rushing lineman, so he's going to play on the edge very often. On occasion, Georgia will use overload formations featuring Walker and another edge rusher on the same side of the defensive line. At other times, he will line up in the interior in 2-4-5 formations.
Behind Walker is a multitude of options, starting with Carter. The sophomore will play most of his snaps in the interior and periodically play on the edge. We saw a little bit of that last year and during the G-Day game.
Dean, Walthour and Norton will also back up Walker. Dean is a freshman who played extensively in the G-Day game. Walthour is a junior and he was a solid reserve defensive end last year. Norton played on the second-team defense Saturday and had an impressive showing.
Defensive Tackle
- DT1: Devonte Wyatt
- DT2: Jalen Carter
- DT3: Zion Logue
- DT4: Warren Brinson
- DT5: Julian Rochester
Wyatt was one of two Bulldogs linemen who surprisingly decided to return for an extra year. He's coming off his best season in which he started all 10 games. Wyatt is an underrated player and his pass-rushing prowess doesn't get mentioned enough. He isn't going to lead the Bulldogs in sacks, but Wyatt overpowers pass-blocks and forces quarterbacks to make quick decisions.
Carter would be a starter anywhere else in the country. He constantly makes eye-popping plays because of how strong and athletic he is. That was the story for him as a freshman and it continued in the G-Day game. While Carter is listed as a backup at defensive end and tackle, most of his reps will come in the interior.
Nose Guard
- N1: Jordan Davis
- N2: Nazir Stackhouse
- N3: Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
Davis was the other surprise return. After three stellar seasons in Athens, everyone thought the 340-pounder was ready for the NFL. He's the most dominant defensive lineman in the conference, especially against the run. Davis takes pride in drawing double-team blocks that allow his teammates to get to the ball-carrier faster.
One of the reasons why Davis returned is because he wants to become an every-down player. That work begins this summer in the weight room. Davis's goal is to lose some weight while maintaining his power.
Georgia really doesn't have a backup for Davis. Usually, the defense plays in a 2-4-5 look when he's not on the field. Stackhouse and Ingram-Dawkins are competing for the right to start at nose guard next season. In the event Davis gets injured, one of them will take his place.
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