Better or worse? Previewing Georgia's defense in 2019
Editor’s note: This is the 2nd in a series previewing every SEC East team’s defense. Coming Wednesday: Kentucky.
Georgia’s defense was mostly good a year ago, especially if you try to forget a few bad things at LSU, a few letdowns late against Alabama and the bowl game loss to Texas where the tapes should just get burned.
Good, but not great. Impressive most of the time, but feeble at times, feeble enough that you’d shake your hand and wonder why this unit couldn’t have been better.
The numbers were mostly good. Georgia ranked No. 14 nationally in scoring defense a year ago, allowing 19.2 points per game. They were No. 13 in total defense, which was second in the SEC behind only Mississippi State, the nation’s top-ranked defense. They were 12th against the pass nationally, and 31st against the run.
What was strange was Georgia couldn’t rush the passer, finishing dead last in sacks per game in the SEC’s regular season. There were times, too, when the secondary had some bad moments, especially Tyson Campbell, who was learning his way in the starting lineup as a true freshman.
But there was a lot of good, too, and there’s reason to think that Georgia’s defense will border on great in 2019. There’s a ton of talent, especially young talent that seems ready to make their mark on the game.
Here’s our look at things, for better or worse:
Pressuring the QB: Better
Outside of D’Andre Walker, there wasn’t a single player on Georgia’s defense who had more than 2 sacks last year. That was shocking, considering all the talent, to register only 24 sacks as a team in 14 games.
That will change this season. It has to. There are fresh faces who should help, most notably Nolan Smith, the nation’s top recruit, fellow freshman Nakobe Dean, and junior college transfer Jermaine Johnson. A lot of eyes will be on defensive end Malik Herring, who should be that guy that leads the team in sacks this year. In Georgia’s 3-4 set, the linebackers need to add pressure, too. There’s plenty of talent there in the outside positions, and there’s going to be a big fight for playing time during fall camp.
Run defense: Better
This will certainly be a point of emphasis this year, because you simply have to be able to stop the run in the SEC. The Bulldogs were just so-so last year, which is why we’ll see am improvement this go-round.
There’s plenty of experience in the interior of the defensive line, enough that as many as a half-dozen guys could see reasonable playing team. The linebackers are really stout, with Monty Rice, Tae Crowder and Brenton Cox set to have big years. They’ll need it. A run defense ranked in the 30s nationally won’t happen again. A bump up of 10-15 spots might just happen.
Passing defense: Better
Deandre Baker was the best player on Georgia’s defense a year ago, and the cornerback parlayed that into becoming a high pick in the NFL Draft, going No. 30 to the New York Giants in the first round. His loss is obvious, but the Bulldogs also seem set to cover the void.
Campbell has all the tools to be a great cornerback, and he learned a lot as a true freshman. Look for him to have a huge sophomore season. Eric Stokes took Campbell’s starting slot during the middle of the season, and he played well the rest of the way. They make for a great tandem. What really solidifies this group is the return of starting safeties J.R. Reed and Richard LeCounte. They might very well be the best duo of safeties in the country. This group is going to have some big games, especially in the big games that matter.
Special teams: Better
One of the joys of having consecutive highly rated recruiting classes is that there is plenty of talent up and down the roster, and having enough studs to fill out special teams rosters is never a problem. So what might have been the biggest head-shaker of all a year ago what that Georgia ranked No. 128 out of 129 teams in kickoff return coverage. That’s totally shocking.
Georgia gave up more than 31 yards per kick, second only to Stanford on a national basis. There was a lot of work done in the spring to fix that, and it will certainly be a point of emphasis in fall camp. There’s just absolutely no way it can’t get better.
Overall: Better
Well, better is it, obviously, across the board. Losing Baker and Walker is big, of course, but this next wave of talent is ready to explode in Athens. The back end of the two-deep depth chart is full of guys who would start at a lot of other schools.
The biggest concern in June is how quickly new defensive coordinator Dan Lanning puts his impact on this defense, and how quickly the players pick up some of the changes. This is not a major overhaul, so it shouldn’t be a problem. But it’s still worth watching throughout camp, and it’s going to be interesting to see how dominant they can be once the season rolls around.
The first 3 games should allow this defense to make its mark. Vanderbilt is breaking in a new quarterback and Murray State and Arkansas State shouldn’t put up much of a fight. Hopefully that will be enough to have this group ready for the huge Sept. 21 showdown with Notre Dame.
The lack of sacks, I believe, was more scheme than inability. A bend, don’t break model. I hope you are right about Campbell.
One guy I look forward to watching is #51, David Marshall. Kid was straight up disruptive when healthy 2 years ago but caught the injury bug last year. If he can bounce back I see him stepping up as a leader at DE in our 3-4 scheme.
Had some injuries on the defensive line last year which is what led us to a #31 ranking in rushing defense (according to NCAA.com). THAT needs to get fixed fast.
Looking at UGA’s roster for 2019, seems like we’re a little thin at the DT / DL position. The defensive line is one place where depth is critical.
UGA should be okay at DB. Got a few freshmen at LB but with all their talent and potential, the sky’s the limit. If Monty Rice can stay healthy, UGA will have a lean, mean tackling machine.
Go Dawgs!!
Serious question for UGA fans – any concern about losing Mel Tucker and having a first time defensive coordinator?
UGA fans don’t have any cocerns, they always have the best players and the best coaches, except of course when those coaches leave, like Tucker and Chaney, who ever comes after them is much better
Hopefully soon you’ll leave and the next florida sh!tposter that comes after you will be much better.
Doubtful.
Congratulations CO, you broke the hidden Georgia code of posters here. Next thing we know you will be telling Auburn tree killer Harvey Updyke (Bamatime) our secret handshake!
You still thinking of me? The dumba$& is strong in you…
Yes. It’s the opposite of the Chaney situation, which is addition by subtraction.
Tucker was also the DB coach; so coaching up Deandre Baker into a first round draft pick? That was Mel Tucker. Getting a lower-rated recruit in Eric Stokes to outperform his talent level? Tucker.
Some Dawg fans hope the change in DC means a more attacking defense, but Kirby has always preferred to get pressure from the push of his DL, not blitzing his linebackers. It’s not the Grantham way, which leads to far too many big plays on the back end, and it’s served the Dawgs well, mostly. Against LSU, Bama once Jalen got in the game, and against Texas, it hurt. Tyler Clark under-performed some last year to expectations, so a lot more is expected of him and Jordan Davis in the middle of the DL this year, especially in Nickel and Dime.
We’ll see. I do agree the defense will be better overall, but a lot of young guys are gonna get a lot of minutes, which is good that the beginning and middle of our schedule is easier than the end. By the time November rolls around, this group will be hitting all cylinders. Just in time for you know who.
Yeah kind’ve like the Gator O-line will be firing on all cylinders by the time November rolls around.
You hope, but the reality is different than your fondest wish.
Georgia is replacing blue chip talent with even more blue chip talent. You’re replacing talent with a bunch of guys the Bamas and Georgias weren’t recruiting.
I wouldn’t get your hopes up, ‘turd.
It’s nice to see a non-trolling answer. I was curious about the Mel Tucker hire when UGA picked him a few years ago, but he turned out to be a good coordinator and position coach for you guys. I don’t know much about Lanning other than he seems more like a recruiter than a guy who is going to develop players. I could be wrong like I was about Mel Tucker, though.
Not really. Dan Lanning was already an integral part of the defense.
Kirby Smart is always involved in every detail and will provide oversight.
There will be no big change in defensive scheme either which is something that often happens when bringing in an outsider.
Good question. Of course we’re curiously nervous with new DC Lanning for Mel Tucker was very solid. That being said Kirby is very involved in his defense and Lanning has a track record of being involved in very good defenses at Arizona St, Memphis and Bama. Not to mention his ability to recruit. He’s a players coach with a ton of energy so we’re excited to see what his spin on our defense will bring
GatorFan9696, personally I’m not concerned about the change. By all reports the players like Lanning as DC. He’s younger than Tucker and has plenty of energy which the players seem to buy into.
He’s never called plays which would concern me if not for Smart being heavily involved with the defense. They say we should see a more aggressive style of defense from Lanning. That part sounds good.
There is clearly more depth across the board than in any of Smart’s first three years. I think we will see an improved defense.
Not really. Let’s not BS, Kirby Smart is and was the defensive coordinator.
Their D was pretty darn good last year so if they are going to be better in every phase of the D that doesn’t bode well for the rest of the east. Hard to argue with the writer though.
A characteristic of Smart/Tucker defenses in 2017-18 seemed to be very conservative, safe, boring defense that most teams simply couldn’t do anything particularly well against. Last year, UGA led the nation by a wide margin in the least plays of 20+ yards allowed. I think Kirby chose that defensive philosophy due to the lack of talent in the linebacker corps and the youth of the secondary. I usually thought of his Alabama defenses being much more aggressive and I think he fully intends to move in that direction now that his team has the experience and talent to do so.
There aren’t really any excuses for this defense other than lack of bodies on the defensive line and maybe some green feet at the OLB position.
Kirby Smart is obviously an excellent defensive coach but I wouldn’t agree his Alabama defenses were especially aggressive. I saw them as being built to make running impossible and to take your chances in the passing game.
Obviously there are many caveats here, like the extent of his vs. Saban’s control, a rapidly evolving game, etc.
I agree with you there–they certainly weren’t Todd Grantham-aggressive, but I would be shocked if his defenses weren’t consistently at the top with regards to sacks, turnovers, and other havoc plays.
Kirby’s Alabama defenses seemed to do everything well.
Again, it’s hard to make a completely accurate assessment because I’m describing an era in which Alabama’s defense was designed to beat LSU, which involved 270lb Donte Hightowers vs. 220lb Reuben Fosters.
But sacks went up big time after he left. Sure, a lot of that has to do with third and Pruitt etc, but I think it’s in the DNA of Smart and Saban both to not rush more then four unless you absolutely have to. The defenses were always towards the top of the lists as a natural consequence of holding teams to 17 rushing yards etc.
The defense was really good but was often put in some pretty bad spots by the offense, especially against Texas.
I’m not too worried about the sacks. UGA has players that can get after the QB but in a lot of games they play the DBs back, give up short passes and then rally to the ball and hope to keep any gains minimal. And it’s hard to get sacks when the opposing QB is getting the ball out in less than 2 seconds. They would have more sacks if they had their DBs play bump and run instead of cover 2 and 3.
Also i’m very excited about the young ILBs. Tindall, Walker, Dean, even Anderson plays inside some. If you watch the seniors that played last year, Taylor and Patrick, they were very bad about catching the play 5 yards behind the LOS instead of attacking and meeting the play in the hole. I’m not expecting Roquan levels out of any of those guys but as long as they don’t play on their heels, they will make some plays beside Rice or Crowder.
About that game against Texas – The punter’s knee touched the ground giving the heifers the ball deep in our own territory – and they scored.
For me, that was the play that killed us.
Camarda’s overall bad play and inconsistency was a substantial detriment last year. He really needs to improve. 2017 showed us a good punter can make all the difference, and 2018 showed us what a bad punter can do.
That one play was on the snapper putting the ball at his ankles. Also there were plenty of times when he landed the ball on thr 5-10 yard line and the coverage team couldn’t get to it before it bounced into the endzone.
Camarda was a true freshman, so I think this season after having a full year of dedicating his life to punting, he will get things under control.
I could not agree any more. The punter downing the ball with his knee and the subsequent score absolutely killed us.
This team is young, but talent abounds. With Chaney and Tucker gone, we’ll have to adjust. I foresee a more open offensive attack. We open with Vandy up there, so out of the gate we’ll see what’s what. D should be stout in the middle.
I disagree. I think the biggest potential weakness is the interior defensive line. Outside of Jordan Davis, there doesn’t seem to be an experienced returner who showed consistency in putting up a wall.
Kirby,
What about #52, T Clark?
The key word there is consistency. Clark is a beast when he wants to be but can disappear from games entirely. Same with Herring. Jordan Davis can’t play a full game at his size and is probably good on first and second down. I’m thinking maybe Trayvon Walker can round into form come the end of the season and on third downs he can slide down from the tackle spot to the nose and get some pressure up the middle.
Here are my guesses…
Pass Rush- Better
Run Def- Better
Pass Def- Worse
Creating Havoc- Better
Allowing Big Plays- Worse
Overall- Better
I have a question that I’m too lazy to look up and the author should have…how many kicks were actually returned last year giving the Dawgs such a bad average??
probably about 5-10. What really hurt was the GT touchdown return and a few here and there that got past the 40.
Another year being paper champs. Can’t do it on the field where it counts. 5 stars everywhere..OL supposedly gonna be unstoppable this year..yada yada blah blah. 2019 SEC Championship Runner Up.
Time for you to get a new logo and screen name.
Get the best possible players nationally and make the schedule more manageable. hmmmm? Who does that sound like?