Bulldogs looking at total rebuilding job on defense in 2013
Who replaces this guy for the Bulldogs next season is a huge question mark. (AP photo)
It’s pretty clear that Georgia’s offense will be reloading next season. Depending on the decision of quarterback Aaron Murray — it’s not as cut-and-dry as you might think — the Bulldogs should be returning 10 starters (only WRs Marlon Brown and Tavarres King graduating).
The same can’t be said of the defense. In total, defensive coordinator Todd Grantham is expected to lose 12 players who started games for him this season. Three of those are underclassmen who I expect will turn pro shortly after the Jan. 1 Capital One Bowl: outside linebacker Jarvis Jones, inside linebacker Alec Ogletree and defensive lineman Kwame Geathers.
The other nine are seniors who have exhausted their eligibility: Safeties Bacarri Rambo and Shawn Williams, cornerback Sanders Commings, noseguard John Jenkins, defensive ends Abry Jones and Cornelius Washington, linebackers Christian Robinson and Michael Gilliard, and versatile defensive back Branden Smith.
So Georgia will be totally rebuilding on defense. It’s no wonder the Bulldogs already have 17 defensive prospects committed in recruiting, with more expected to come between now and national signing day.
Here’s an early look at how the defense might stack up next season. This was done without the consultation of Grantham, who’s not known for his penchant for sharing, so it’s just an educated guess. Feel free to agree or disagree and add your two cents worth. . . .
GEORGIA DEFENSE
2012 season (starter; backup) – 2013 season (starter; backup)
DE
Garrison Smith, Jr.; John Jenkins, Sr. – RETURNING STARTER, NEW BACKUP (Jr. Mike Thornton or So. Sterling Bailey)
- Comment: Smith is a budding all-star. Dogs in good shape here as long as he remains healthy.
NG
John Jenkins, Sr.; backup Kwame Geathers, Jr., – NEW STARTER (RFr. Jonathan Taylor), NEW BACKUP (Incoming freshman or JUCO transfer)
- Comment: That’s right, not expecting Geathers to return. A Geathers has yet to complete his college eligibility. But coaches very excited about Taylor.
DE
Cornelius Washington, Sr.; Ray Drew, So. – NEW STARTER (Drew, Bailey or Thornton), NEW BACKUP (same)
- Comment: Very suspect situation here. Undersized on current roster (see Alabama game). Opportunity for incoming players.
OLB
Jarvis Jones, Jr.; Ramik Wilson, So. – NEW STARTER (Jordan Jenkins), NEW BACKUP (Sr. T.J. Stripling, So. Josh Dawson, or So. James DeLoach)
- Comment: Jenkins switches sides to become Bulldogs’ primary pass rusher, ie: Jarvis Jones
OLB
Jordan Jenkins, Fr.; backup Josh Dawson, Fr. – RETURNING STARTER (Jenkins switches to Will), NEW STARTER (Sr. Chase Vasser, Dawson or DeLoach)
- Comment: Experience in Vasser augmented by developing talent.
ILB
Amarlo Herrera, So.; backup Michael Gilliard, Sr. – RETURNING STARTER, NEW BACKUP (Brandon Burrows, Kosta Vavlas or incoming player)
- Comment: Herrera an exemplary player but depth needed as he’ll need to be spelled
ILB
Alec Ogletree, Jr.; backup Christian Robinson, Sr. – NEW STARTER (Wilson?), NEW BACKUP (Incoming player)
- Comment: If “Tree” enters draft as expected, Georgia can expect significant drop off no matter who fills in here.
CB
Sanders Commings, Sr.; Devin Bowman, RFr. – NEW STARTER (Jr. Damian Swann), SAME BACKUP
- Comment: Swann will move from nickel to boundary, the most physical of corner positions
CB
Branden Smith, Sr.; Damian Swann, So;. – NEW STARTER (So. Sheldon Dawson), NEW BACKUP (Bowman or incoming player)
- Comment: Coaches excited about Dawson’s potential.
FS
Bacarri Rambo, Sr.; Connor Norman, RSo. – NEW STARTER (Corey Moore or Norman), NEW BACKUP (Norman or incoming player)
- Comment: This is where Georgia could use a newbie to come through big.
SS
Shawn Williams, Sr.; Corey Moore, So. – NEW STARTER (Moore or Josh Harvey-Clemons); NEW BACKUP (Jr. Marc Deas or incoming player)
- Comment: See above. Lots of options for secondary coach Scott Lakatos.
NB
Damian Swann, So.; Josh Harvey-Clemons, Fr. – RETURNING STARTER (Swann switches to boundary corner; Harvey-Clemons takes over.); NEW BACKUP (Swann, Bowman or incoming player)
- Comment: Intriguing possibilities here. Grantham tweaking nickel into “Star” position specially for Harvey-Clemons, who should be able to stay on field in all situations.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
266 comments Add your comment
DawginLex
December 10th, 2012
6:08 pm
Actually it is prob 8-4 with Murray and 9-3 or 10-2 with Mason
*****************************************
Make sure you don’t go out in public alone or try to cross the street without holding the hand of someone with a fully functioning brain.
you are saying an unproven backup QB would win more than Murray?
God are you stupid
True ATL Fan
December 10th, 2012
6:12 pm
And to the ‘fans” being critical of the run D, two of those games nhey gave up alot of rushing yards were to two teams that ONLY run. Have some perspective when attempting to be analytical. Im actually excited to see the young guys step up, and as far as the post about Gilliard…he did have a better year last year than this season. Herrera could have been te difference in the alabama game.
Rick James
December 10th, 2012
6:20 pm
@GTBob
With the way UGA played defense this year rebuilding is probably a good thing. Outside of Jarvis Jones they were pretty bad.
——————————————————————————————————————————-
The defense looked pretty good against Tech.The game was over at halftime..I just remembered your standard answer.Tech was a bad team everybody looked good against them.Never mind.
Mike
December 10th, 2012
6:22 pm
Don’t be surprised if Josh Harvey-Clemons moves to linebacker, right where Tree plays. But, with secondary depth a huge concern, that might not happen. Depends on how quickly Tray Matthews can pick it up back there. Either way, we are going to be young in the secondary. Really young. Ray Drew, Jordan Jenkins, Kwame Geathers and Garrison Smith are guys to get excited about!
Rick James
December 10th, 2012
6:25 pm
@Murray is gone
My dad is friends with a scout for the JAX Jaguars and says Murray could be taken as the 2nd QB in the upcoming draft.
He is comparing him to Drew Brees given accuracy and intelligence…. also said that Brees / Russell Wilson and the like are showing you don’t have to be 6 foot 5 to play QB in the NFL 6 foot 1 is great!
Also said Murray’s stats next year against stiffer competition will likely not be as good. Suggested that if he did stay, his stock would not be as high next year and suggested he get insurance to cover possible injury if he did not go Pro.
His final assesment is that Murray would be dumb not to go Pro and feels that is what will happen as he seems to think Murray is the most intelligent QB in the draft this year.
——————————————————————————————————————————-
This cant be right..An NFL scout can not know more than GT Bob who thinks Murray is an awful quarterback.
Game Time
December 10th, 2012
6:28 pm
REBUILD the defense? You mean the defense that let teams, even mediocre teams, run through it all year? The defense loaded with NFL talent that underperformed all year long? You mean the defense crafted by the most overpaid assistant coach in the NCAA? Are you kidding? STRENGTHEN and IMPROVE the defense is a better description!!!
LogicalUS
December 10th, 2012
6:28 pm
Honesty, UGA – Clemson should be a sight next year as they appear to be carbon copy teams for 2013. Can teams actually win by letting your opponent score faster so that you get your offense on the field.
This may be a WV-Baylor 70-63 game.
DawginLex
December 10th, 2012
6:30 pm
Don’t forget, GTBob also says that the following schools have horrible academics which is why they have football teams that would smoke GT:
Stanford
Vanderbilt
Northwestern
DawginLex
December 10th, 2012
6:32 pm
I think the defense in 2012 never got over the suspensions keeping them from playing together.
Character counts
You can’t tell me that we are not a heck of a lot better if they could have played together all 12 games before the Bama game. Just a little improvement and we win that game.
tell me again
December 10th, 2012
6:44 pm
Look guys – we did have a ton of talent on D this year, BUT — we couldn’t stop the run from day one….if anything, this D was an underachieveing unit. I think next year the talent will surprise us all. I don’t think the D will drop off – I think it will be better. On offense ~ if Murray stays, great – sure wouldn’t mind – but we have a guy who broke all kinds of passing records in Georgia in Hutson Mason – he’s not going to disappoint. We’ll be fine – it’s a game – it’s supposed to be fun. If losing a college game makes you run out to the local bar, get drunk and then come home and set the house on fire you don’t need to be watching college sports. You need to get a life!
zbulldawg
December 10th, 2012
6:49 pm
This group will better & have more depth than the last. Geathers may stay he’s been banged up the last year & a half. Look for UGA to land some more big time players come signing day.This defense will be all Todd’s players. They will be brought up in his NFL thirty four defense.On offense we are bringing some WR’s that can skat. Our OL will compare to Bama’s of this year with alot of depht. Hudson is a masterful passer !!! We have two great TEs with another one coming. Our backs are solid & we are adding even more depht there. I look for this to be the best UGA has had since Richt has been there !! So don’t fret Cuz THE BIG DAWG WILL EAT
Rick James
December 10th, 2012
6:53 pm
It still amazes me every day how obsessed Tech fans are with UGA football..
godawg
December 10th, 2012
6:54 pm
Do not despair Dawg fans. Sometimes the year after “your best shot” turns out better than the one before. i.e. UT the year after Peyton left….sometimes telling them they “can’t” makes them “can”…WOOF!
Poopdawg
December 10th, 2012
6:59 pm
The Dawgs D will be better next year than this year. UGA had too many guys looking not to get hurt this year and all will be gone. We will miss Jarvis jones as a pass rusher and Shawn Williams . Garrison Smith was the best down lineman we had this year but he only got to play when someone got hurt. He made tackles ! I am not sure what the other DL objectives was but it sure wasn’t to make tackles. Amarlo Herrera was our best tackling LB who needed more playing time. Swann was our best corner this year, not counting Malcolm Mitchell. But having those 2 playing corner next year would be awesome. Safety is no doubt the biggest concern but I believe there’s a ton of potential in JHC. Mu
Poopdawg
December 10th, 2012
7:02 pm
Murray I feel is gone so Mason will get his chance to shine.
Bulldogs will have to rebuild defense in 2013 | Georgia Bulldogs Football
December 10th, 2012
7:03 pm
[...] Georgia Bulldogs could lose as many as 12 players who started a game for the defense this season. Nine seniors on defensive side will be departing, including Bacarri [...]
StarDog
December 10th, 2012
7:08 pm
We will have a standout playmaker at all three levels:
1- Garrison at DLine, playmaker
2- Jenkins at LB, playmaker
3- Clemons at safety, playmaker
Frankly, the defense was terrible in 2012 and 2011 in big games, got 30+ points scored every game except Florida 2012, so any change will be a good thing.
I’d like to see some guys who can TACKLE vs passrush, Grantham DEFINATELY HAS to change his defensive approach there, so lean to Herrera, Ramik, and Garrison, need guys to step up at NT and other DE.
Really like Herrera and Ramik at tackling the run, I feel the defense needs to be built to stop the run. Ray Drew and Mike Thornton could be big against the run too.
Probably will end up:
Drew, Thorton, Smith on DLine
Jenkins, Vasser at OLB
Hererra, Wilson at ILB
Swann, Dawson, Bowman at DB
Moore, Norman, Clemons at Safety
Clemons at NB
StarDog
December 10th, 2012
7:13 pm
Watch out for Stripling at OLB or DE, if he puts on some weight and stays healthy, he was a sack machine in high school and is 6′7”, like Clowney. Could be the breakout star of 2013. If he gets a lot of reps, and muscles up in the weight room, he could really have a Clowney like effect on defenses.
Gator Mike
December 10th, 2012
7:14 pm
DAWGS will be good next year as will UF. Sorry to disappoint some folks but the only sure losses of the UF underclassmen are Floyd and Elam. Will also loose Bostic because he is a senior. Offense will improve only if the Gators get a passing game. Muschamp is a great coach, but he will have a huge pucker factor in JAX next October. Good luck to the DAWGS in the bowl game.
See all y’all in JAX.
Merry Christmas.
GTBob
December 10th, 2012
7:18 pm
Don’t forget, GTBob also says that the following schools have horrible academics which is why they have football teams that would smoke GT:
When have I ever said those schools have horrible academics? None of them have very good football programs but they are all great schools.
StarDog
December 10th, 2012
7:18 pm
Agree, UGA should hire VanGorder to teach the guys how to tackle against the run.
Let him coach DL or ILB, Olivadotti and Garner need to go.
GTBob
December 10th, 2012
7:20 pm
This cant be right..An NFL scout can not know more than GT Bob who thinks Murray is an awful quarterback.
Not awful, he just isn’t very good except when he is playing far inferior competition. The guy is never going to be an NFL QB so I wouldn’t get your hopes up too high.
GTBob
December 10th, 2012
7:21 pm
The defense looked pretty good against Tech.
BYU was much much better against us then UGA. Think about that for a little while.
StarDog
December 10th, 2012
7:25 pm
Anyone heard anything on Dexter Morant?
Kid was a star in high school, he’s 6′ 7”, 240 lbs, I kind of pictured for passrushing downs, having Stripling at 6′7” at one DE, and Morant at 6′7” on the other DE
Any chance Garrison moves to NT?
graphite
December 10th, 2012
7:26 pm
Is that ugly,lazy spotted dog leaving early? Ya’ll need to rebuild the Dawg pound as well !…..RollOn…
Under The Bleachers
December 10th, 2012
7:28 pm
This is why THIS was UGA’s year or they will have to wait 2 or 3 years to get back to their current level which is very good on defense.
As for Murray, he has been beaten on these blogs worse than any game he has played.
He should leave and get paid to take those beatings.
jack bull
December 10th, 2012
7:38 pm
Stripling and Morant would do pretty good in a 4-3 scheme at DE, but in the 3-4, they’re just too tall and lanky. Chip’s correct, replacing Tree in the middle is going to be scary. Herrera is a great run stopper(i’m still wondering why we didn’t see more of him in the second half against Bama), but we really need someone with the size and speed of Tree.
Same thing with Drew, too big to be an OLB, but not big enough to be a DT in the 3-4(See C Washington). This is one of the problems with this scheme. well, that, and the fact that it’s not really good at stopping the run.
Oh, remember when Grantham got here and told all of us that he didn’t really need a big NG?? He took us all for idiots, didn’t he??
StarDog
December 10th, 2012
7:40 pm
Murray had a year where he finished #1 in the nation in yards per attempt, and #2 in passer rating and completed 65% of his passes, with a 4 to 1 td to int ratio.Murray beat a top 5 ranked team in Florida, and went toe to toe with Bama for 60 minutes. I don’t see how Murray can better himself by staying another year, he MIGHT improve to 70% accuracy, but will be hard to improve on pass per attempt and passer rating and his td to int ratio.
And the schedule gets a lot tougher in 2013 with Clemnon, LSU, South Carolina and Florida, that’s 4 potential top 10 ranked teams Murray would have to face, and we all know how poorly he performs against top 10 ranked teams.
run the damn ball
December 10th, 2012
7:42 pm
You know what would be unbelievable?? What if the JR’s on the team actually made a committment to our team/fans/university/state/CMR/themselves and stayed. What if every player that has gone pro early under CMR had stayed? What if the committement ran past: “a place to go until we’re ready to get paid”? If three current juniors committed to stay, we would be ranked in the top 3 to start next year.
Murray’s gotta stay. No pro team is gonna take a 5-10 qb who can’t win on a big stage. Give it another year Murray. Same with Ogletree. Take a look at the tape of the Bama O-line shoving it down his throat. Kwame, same goes for you. Jarvis….well…we would love to have you back.
Under The Bleachers
December 10th, 2012
7:43 pm
Not sure of the validity but Grantham’s name keeps coming up for some NFL jobs across the spectrum as a coordinator.
StarDog
December 10th, 2012
7:47 pm
I would like a move to a 4-3, I think it fits the personel better, and Grantham hasn’t proven he can hold point totals down or stop the run with the 3-4 in big games, with the exception of the Florida 2012 game which I now believe was due to the guys being called out by Williams instead of scheme.
Mettenberger is no run threat, but SC, Clemson, and Florida Qb’s can run, and all 4 can run the footbal with their running backs, could also probably face Manziel in the SEC Championship, so you better be able to stop the run and running Qb’s if you want to WIN the SEC.
We were terrible at handling running QB’s this year.
Under The Bleachers
December 10th, 2012
7:51 pm
Run
Ogletree is gone, scouts are raving about his size and speed. All 3 of those guys are gone, they saw JJ get hurt this year and it got their attention. Tree from all accounts is really having to work in school and sees $$$!
Under The Bleachers
December 10th, 2012
7:54 pm
Manziel will have to run a great deal next year, he is losing 3 very high picks to the NFL on his offensive line.
StarDog
December 10th, 2012
7:57 pm
You can’t risk an injury, so if guys like Murray and Ogletree will get drafted, they’ll probably all go this year. Ogletree is a no brainer first or second rounde (his only marks against him are the discipline issues), Murray would get drafted, more like a late round pick, and I think he’d do well in a combine, and he’s so smart, he’d ace an interview or video breakdown test, he does well in those things, he won the MVP High School QB contest in the Elite 11 competition.
I don’t think Murray or Ogletree will return. We have a lot of depth at QB, so I actually don’t see a dropoff if Murray leaves. In fact, you probably would find a QB like Mason or Lemay or Ramsey who performs a little better against ranked teams
Ogletree, you don’t replace guys like that. But you have guys who can play well in situations, and you have to platoon guys to make up for Ogletree’s loss. Maybe you sign a guy who can come right in and play.
Under The Bleachers
December 10th, 2012
7:58 pm
UGA beats Tennessee in 2013, the Vols hired Willie Martinez.
LOL
Sergeant Joe Friday, LAPD
December 10th, 2012
8:01 pm
CMR can go to the state prison and fill all the positions.
StarDog
December 10th, 2012
8:02 pm
If Rueben Foster comes over, he’ll take over for Ogletree. Video on him looks really good, and I think he’s leaning our way.
JB
December 10th, 2012
8:05 pm
9-3,8-4 if Murray returns………7-5,6-6 if he doesn’t. Unless there are some supermen in this incoming class.
run the damn ball
December 10th, 2012
8:09 pm
Look, I know all of those guys are gone: not so sure Murray should go. But…..I’m just dreaming. How nice would it be if those 4 actually realized how close they are to doing something that would punch their ticket into the greatest Bulldawgs of all time. Even if they don’t win it all, and there are no givens. They would still cement their legacy as the most loyal and best players to ever suit up. Man I wish they knew how hungry this fan base was to play for it all.
JB
December 10th, 2012
8:12 pm
Wouldn’t surprise me about Grantham. Lot’s of NFL jobs will open about Jan 1st, and he ain’t got much coming back, and his stock his pretty high right now. He might get a 2 year deal at 1 mil + and be gone…….. Would Richt call VanGorder sitting at home about now?
StarDog
December 10th, 2012
8:12 pm
You figure losses to LSU and South Carolina, defenses are too good. Florida probably wins that game this time. Clemson will score a lot of points, but they don’t play defense, so that game is 50/50 toss up.
9-3 is about best case, 8-4 more likely. It’s a very hard schedule.
realdawg
December 10th, 2012
8:14 pm
Chip you have lost credibility as your facts are incorrect. Swann was the starter and Smith the nickel. What were you doing during the games because you were not watching. How can we believe that you know what you are talking about.
StarDog
December 10th, 2012
8:18 pm
I’d like to see Richt hire VanGorder, and fireOllivadotti and then if Grantham goes pro, let VanGorder takeover.
JB
December 10th, 2012
8:18 pm
Swann will need coaching up if he’s to protect the deep ball. He looks like a Tech DB out there.. Lord I hope we don’t have another #3 Bryan Evans situation ( playing him with younger better talent on the bench. Playing because it’s HIS TIME….geez)
daddo
December 10th, 2012
8:18 pm
HAHAHAHAHA…..and Alabama will start preseason Number 1.
JB
December 10th, 2012
8:20 pm
daddo…..and will every year until Saban leaves…..And he will leave.Or Retire
GTDog
December 10th, 2012
8:23 pm
Well, the D is going to lose 5 starters, and possibly as many as 8. I suspect the number will be 6 or 7.
In comparison Clemson loses 5, SC 6 (or 7), LSU none (or up to 9 if ALL jrs declared), and Florida 4 (or up to 8).
On offense, Georgia loses 1, and possibly Murray and Gates. I personally see both staying another year, especially Murray.
The other teams mentioned earlier: Clemson loses 4 to 6, SC 4, LSU 3 and UF 3.
I don’t see any defensive implosion, even if we lose all 8 starters on D. We’ve recruited well, and have a few guys coming in this year with the potential to make an impact.
I keep having this itch in the back of my mind about Murray and Jones.They’re both team first players. I find it highly unlikely that Jones comes back again, but it wouldn’t shock me if he did.
Ogletree, I would bet the farm he’ll go, but I think it would be in his best interest to show the NFL tha he can go a complete season without a disciplinary suspension, something he hasn’t been able to pull off the past three years.
Geathers? Based on family history, I expected him to bolt last year. Maybe he’s enjoying college, or maybe he wants to have a chance to show his wares as a starter for a season. I’ve got him 50/50.
StarDog
December 10th, 2012
8:30 pm
Grantham’s making $300,000 to $400,000 more than he would make as an Asst in the NFL. And he hasn’t impressed enough yet to be considered as an NFL DC or College Head Coach. Grantham’s D got pounded for 350+ rushing vs. Alabama. And Grantham’s D has only held 1 ranked team to LESS than 30 points in 2 seasons. I don’tsee ANYONE calling him right now for what he’s making at UGA no one can touch that.
JB
December 10th, 2012
8:30 pm
Jarvis Jones is gone. He’s like a top 5 pick with 15-20 mil guarantee money waiting on him. Keep in mind a good high school football coach makes about 1.8 mil…….for 30 years of service.
whatfor
December 10th, 2012
8:32 pm
WOW – that’s amazing to lose all that “talent” and the dawgs defense still SUCKED this year. Oh yea – go ahead and tell me that they didn’t – but consider the piss-poor schedule they played – playing only 3 real teams – lossing 2 of them – and without FL 6 turnovers (which UGA only really caused 2) they would have lost all 3. Then see the points that TN, KY, even Buffalo put on the dawgs and it shows that despite all that talent UGA defense sucked.