5 Tennessee Players Georgia fans need to know
The Georgia Bulldogs (2-1, 0-1 SEC) play host to the Tennessee Volunteers (2-1, 0-0 SEC) on Saturday afternoon at Sanford Stadium in Athens. The ‘Dawgs look to stake claim as the favorite in a wide open Eastern Division, while the Vols look to upset Todd Gurley and Georgia and send the East into utter chaos.
Here are five Tennessee players every Georgia fan needs to know:
1. Marquez North, WR: North is arguably Tennessee’s most explosive playmaker on the outside. He has 14 receptions for 173 yards and two touchdowns on the year. He’s a big guy at 6-foot-4 inches, 221 pounds with speed that easily could present challenges for the Georgia secondary that has struggled in coverage through the first three games. North was named preseason first-team All-SEC by league coaches.
2. Josh Smith, WR: Smith is just one of a host of talented Vols at the skill positions. He’s recorded 10 catches for 135 yards and a touchdown in Tennessee’s first three games. Smith had a career game on the road at No. 4 Oklahoma catching five passes for 58 yards.
3. Jalen Hurd, RB: Hurd was the No.1-rated prospect coming out of the state of Tennessee, and has not disappointed thus far as a true freshman. Hurd is the Vols leading rusher, amassing 219 yards and one touchdown on 48 carries. He possesses both size and speed out of the backfield and will pose a threat for the Georgia front seven running the football. He can also catch the ball out of the backfield. He’s logged four receptions for 40 yards.
4. A.J. Johnson, LB: Johnson is one of the premier defensive players in the league. He’s recorded a team-best 29 tackles, 17 of which have been solo, three tackles-for-loss and an interception. Johnson’s the anchor of the Volunteer defense, a smart player, who will be keying on Gurley. If Tennessee stacks the box to make Hutson Mason throw the football, the Georgia offensive line has to know where Johnson is at all times.
5. Ladarrell McNeil, S: McNeil is the hammer that will be coming down looking for Todd Gurley. He’s recorded 16 total tackles and an interception. The junior from Dallas steadies a secondary that has been the lesser-talked about group of the unit. McNeil will have to creep into the box if the Vols are going to have any success stopping the run.