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.
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266 comments Add your comment
He Hate Gator
December 11th, 2012
1:16 pm
Then there should be no reason to not get top defensive recruits signed….
Keith
December 11th, 2012
1:22 pm
UGA should move to a more “Multiple” Defense, using both the 3-4 & 4-3 to better utilize its talent, some are more suited for 4-3, while others for 3-4
GimmeAbreak
December 11th, 2012
1:33 pm
Okay, it looks like the Dawgs will be rebuilding the D. But the 2012 D was star-studded and couldn’t stop anyone! The great CTG didn’t mention to the “stars” that you just can’t stop a 250+ pound running back by tackling him high. We laughed when any opponent tried to tackle Herschel without taking his legs out from unmder him but I guess CTG wasn’t here back then. Any player on the 2013 D I hope and pray will learn the proper technic to bring down an elephant back.
It was painful to watch how we tackled (pardon the choice of words) when we had Willie-ball and bumped QB’s, running backs and recievers until they went out of bounds or scored but OMG the SECCG was nearly as painful! One friend said “a non-call” cost us a shot at the NC game! I told him that the non-call AND 350 yards rushing cost us that shot.
Lonnie
December 11th, 2012
2:07 pm
I need to point out something. GA scored 28 points against the mighty Bama defense. The final drive saw deep middle of field throws and Gurley was a beast running the ball without any big runs!!!!
G-Dawg
December 11th, 2012
2:11 pm
Willie-ball…now a coaching fixture at Tenn. LOL
GatorNation
December 11th, 2012
2:12 pm
If you couldn’t win at the big show with all this talent, and the easiest schedule in the SEC, what makes you think an entire defense of green players is going to fare any better? Your schedule actually is decent this year, and before you guys jump down my throat, think about the realistic possibility of Murray staying.
His stock is high. He is losing his go-to receiver. His OL hasn’t been the greatest. Why would he risk coming back and pulling a Sam Bradford when he can get out while he is hot? Who is your backup? Sadly, for those of you who like to knock on UF, they are only losing 3-5 starters on defense, and the second string played in every game this year. THAT’s reloading.
and if that isn’t insult to injury, I think UF just sniped 2 commits from UGA, some 6-8 350lb JC transfer, and a linebacker. The odds of UGA doing better then 8-4 with its track record against ranked teams is doubtful at best.
GatorNation
TopDawg
December 11th, 2012
2:22 pm
3 in a row on your gator nation
Fair n Balanced
December 11th, 2012
2:41 pm
No doubt D has to step up next yr but remember that we went most of this year with a terrible defense. Our rushing game needs to be strong and long. They will need to control the ball and use up time. If Murray returns this is not likely to happen. We will be a quick scoring offense and will leave the D on the field a long time. You win championships with strong D. We may go back to Dome but we won’t be championship calibre unless the D develops big time.
Glenn Ridings
December 11th, 2012
2:45 pm
Murray’s best WRs will be back. Mitchell with a full season at WR, Bennett will be back as will Conley. Dawgs’ offense will be loaded no matter who is the trigger man. But, I’m betting Aarron returns for a sensational senior year. UGA’s defense may be questionable because of new people playing but no more so than UF’s offense. DAWGS will be just fine with another great shot at the SEC.
gary
December 11th, 2012
2:48 pm
I love how peole talk about our gift of a scedule this year. Only two games are really different. We drop one cupcake and pick up Clemson. Not worried about beating ACC teams (insert Tech here). We swap Ole Miss for LSU. I am not sure LSU is going to be any better next year. Think they will be hurting as well compared to the team they put on the field in 2011. Vandy, Tenn, Kentucky, and Auburn should all stink again next year. Not sure if Florida will be better next year. SC is the only team I am worried about on that scedule.
Lonnie
December 11th, 2012
2:54 pm
Atticus 5000 yards passing is not successful? How about Vick leading his team to NFC championship and a 2500 yd passing and 1000 yd receiving year! Murray if he leaves will be late firs or second and that is money because a lot of changing the guard @ QB.
aldogg2121
December 11th, 2012
2:59 pm
I am on the fence about whether or not I want Murray to come back for his senior season. I personally do not believe that he has what it takes to be a successful NFL QB, but you never know. What I do know, however, is that he has shown a propensity to have his passes batted down at the line of scrimmage. That will only be exaggerated at the next level, as all DE’s and DT’s are as strong and athletic as the best that he has faced in college. If he leaves, I look forward to seeing what Hutson Mason can do with the job.
If Murray stays, UGA fans can point to one telling statistic: Mark Richt has never won fewer than 10 games in a season when he returns his starting QB. Plus, our o-line should be better next year with a full season under their belts. And our RBs and WRs give serious hope for the future of the offense.
Dawg Tired
December 11th, 2012
3:32 pm
Actually, I’m sort of with, of all people, GTBob on this one. Defense was not a strength most of the time this season. Obviously it was a big problem against Bama – especially with tackling. Defense could actually improve with new players. Jarvis is a big loss, but even he was not always stellar, especially when he was slowed by the groin injury. He was truly big time in about 4 to 5 games this year. Otherwise, not so much. Ogletree is is a big time loss and, as Chip points out, we will not be a strong there next year without him.
LogicalUS
December 11th, 2012
3:34 pm
In all likelihood, UF\SC wil lbe picked to win the SEC EAST next season with a slight edge going to SC because of their schedule…Spurrier’s bitoooching seems to have worked with the SEC office.
UGA will be picked to finish 3rd in a battle with Vandy. And a ton depends on whether UGA survives a possible 1-3 start with a host of young unproven players on defense.
Is it really possible that Spurrier will be going for his 4th straight win vs UGA at SOUTH CAROLINA next year? Nobody would have ever thought 5 years ago that SC would have overtaken UGA and man that guy really does own UGA.
West looks to be again a Bama\TxAm\LSU battle with TxAM getting a slight nod with Bama going to Texas.
WDE
December 11th, 2012
3:42 pm
Mr. Blue we are going to beat the Huskers like rented mules…..and you really will be Blue.
WDE
December 11th, 2012
3:45 pm
Granny Smith we will keep our coaches and you keep yours and keep your helmets handy when you play us you’ll need them…
AltamahaDawg
December 11th, 2012
3:53 pm
“Not as cut- and- dry as you might think”…….which way do you think I think it is?
ARdawg
December 11th, 2012
4:06 pm
Oh the nerd trolls never get enough of their ankle biting on the UGA blogs while claiming to be fans for other teams.
Benny Hodges
December 11th, 2012
4:40 pm
Play the starters for next year. Don’t waste the opportunity !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ZMONEY
December 11th, 2012
5:31 pm
it’s been proven grantham don’t no what the hell he is doing.Get him another shot of MD 2020 and send him on he way.
Andy
December 11th, 2012
6:24 pm
Isn’t it about time for the Dawg fans to declare UGA the preseason National Champs again?Are or you going to wait till after the bowl game!
Andy
December 11th, 2012
6:34 pm
Has anyone seen any commits from King daddy lately? After the S C game he got awful quite . After the SECCG I haven’t seen a single post from him I’m beginning to get a little worried about the boy.
Tampa Gator
December 11th, 2012
7:37 pm
Kind of creepy reading some of my inaccuracies from 2010. Man….I was wrong a lot in 2010….and in 2011….and in 2012….and will be in 2013….I guarantee you….but it will not stop me from having some college football fun by posting my opinions….NOT FACTS…..on here. But sad someone is so impacted in a negative way by them.
By the way……he or she missed one…..I predicted Georgia would win the SEC East this year. But…then….I also predicted that Georgia would beat Bama…..again showing my lack of college football knowlege to the world.
Who Me?
December 11th, 2012
7:38 pm
Why no blog articles about UGA Basketball Chip? If you’re the be-all end-all for UGA, get off your butt and write a factual article on the state of the UGA Basketball team.
Inquiring minds want to know.
Tampa Gator
December 11th, 2012
7:45 pm
And how good will the Gators be next year….????
A lot depends on the following players…..
1. Ronald Powell…..he needs to come back 100 percent at the hybrid LB/DE position.
2. If Jelani Jenkins decided to come back for his senior season (the Gators will be thin at LB if he goes pro)
3. If Matt Elam returns to play SS…..the best SS in the country this year. But I think he will go pro.
4. If Jordan Reed decides to come back at TE to improve his in-line TE skills and become an even higher draft pick in 2013. But I think he dislikes school and want to make some money now.
If all three go pro, along with Sharriff Floyd (who is gone as a first round pick)….the Gators will have some holes to fill on D and on O.
If all three return, with Powell at 100%, the Gators will most likely be ranking in the top 3 at the beginning of next year.
SEC Headlines 12/11/2012 – Louisiana State – Tigers News
December 11th, 2012
8:07 pm
[...] 18. Bulldogs defense expected to lose 12 players who started games this year. [...]
SEC Headlines 12/11/2012 – Arkansas – Razorbacks News
December 11th, 2012
8:07 pm
[...] 18. Bulldogs defense expected to lose 12 players who started games this year. [...]
Under The Bleachers
December 11th, 2012
8:18 pm
From the sound of Muschamps comments in Jax last week he is expecting 5 underclass men to leave early for the draft, he may be stating the worse case scenario but it looks more and more like UF will have some holes to fill as well.
bitter "spoiled recruit"
December 11th, 2012
8:40 pm
THANKS FOR THE GREATEST SEASON IN 30 YEARS
FUK ALL THE NAY SAYERS————————-DAWGS JUST A HAIR BEHIND BAMMA
———————–PROPS TO THE TRAILER PARK COMMUNITY—-AKA—BAMMA NATION—
dan
December 11th, 2012
9:30 pm
I think we need to wait and see guys. I mean who would have thought Arkansas and Auburn would be so bad this year? Who thought Florida would be 11-1 or Texas A & M 10-2 with a Heisman Trophy winner? Yeah based on the fact that we are losing some starters on defense and the schedule gets tougher( at least on paper), one might expect a dip. But you never know.
kingdaddy
December 11th, 2012
9:43 pm
I see nobody cared to answer Andy, lol…
Tampa Gator
December 11th, 2012
9:43 pm
Under the Bleachers….
Only 4 underclassmen Gators filed with the NFL…..Sharieff Floyd (definitely gone to the NFL based on what I have been reading), Matt Elam (more than likely gone now that he was named to the All-American team today), Jordan Reed (probably will jump even though doing so is a mistake on his part…not ready yet), and Jelani Jenkins (most likely will return). Everyone, including Muschamp, though Dominque Easley would test the NFL market…..but he did not file the papers and will return next year.
kingdaddy
December 11th, 2012
9:56 pm
Looks like our Offense will have to score more points than theirs if we want to win, lol. I think we’ll be up to it. I hope Grantham comes up with a better scheme to stop the run this year. I kinda hate it for our offense, but Mitchell needs to stay on Defense for depth. Also would like us to use a 4-3 more often against mobile QBs. Anyone hear anything more on the 5* LB out of Miami that favors UGA???
Delane
December 11th, 2012
9:58 pm
@Stevedawg
Lattamore was out half of 2011 and 2012. SC used a 5th string freshman (wilds) in 2011 because of injuries. In 2012, Lattamore, Carson, Wilds go out and Miles and Davis played well. They beat the Nebraska’s and Clemson’s with ease.
Shaw was hurt and played well most of the season. The back up QB beat Clemson.
Godawgsash
December 11th, 2012
10:58 pm
We gonna score 40 every game so relax people geeze!!
Godawgsash
December 11th, 2012
11:02 pm
Still got gurley and Marshall for at least 2 more years we in fine shape !! And musCHUMP can’t beat us!!! We got the east again, us against Texas a&m in next years sec championship u heard it here first!!!
kingdaddy
December 12th, 2012
12:00 am
I believe it is Matthew Thomas, a DE/OLB that is looking hard at immediate playing time at UGA. He’s a 5* that may supprise everybody and sign with Dawgs. Would be an impact player…
Put in Timeout by Ken Sugiura,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned once by Bill King & Chip Towers but only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 12th, 2012
12:18 am
Wow KingDaddy is FIRST to post at 12 on 12-12-12. You win a prize.
Columbus Dawg
December 12th, 2012
5:49 am
Mel Kiper says that Murray should remain at UGA for his final year, states several reasons for opinion in article, but also says that Geathers has a decision to make, could go in second round. Also, Athlon says that it will be between the Dawgs and the Gators, with the edge going to the Dawgs. Reasons stated in favor of strong start for Dawgs are losses on D for LSU, and Carolina, as well as Lattimore, and does not think Clemson can hang with the Dawgs even in Death Valley.
Piney Woods Pete
December 12th, 2012
7:57 am
Almost all of the players who will leave will be working drive-through windows or pushing shopping carts around Atlanta. At most, only 1-2 of them have the intelligence and talent to make it in the NFL for more than a year or two. And that includes Murray most of all, although he has enough intelligence to be a mail carrier or at least a fry cook.
kingdaddy
December 12th, 2012
9:02 am
Hey Peter
Too bad these soon to be millionaire’$ aren’t as smart as you think you are, lol…
Bo Duke
December 12th, 2012
9:47 am
bigcalidawg it’s you the puppys fans who spell dawgs wrong!!!!!! It’s DOGS!!!!!
Lonnie
December 12th, 2012
10:00 am
Aldogg. Great point about Murray. I think he will be a 10 yr. backup sometimes starter! mMurray is a great team guy and would help any team with his knowledge of the game! I think another year with 3000+ will help his status.
LogicalUS
December 12th, 2012
10:05 am
“Isn’t it about time for the Dawg fans to declare UGA the preseason National Champs again?Are or you going to wait till after the bowl game!”
That is an May tradition unless UGA get really embarrassed in a bowl game then it is quickly moved up till Febraury immediately after signing day.
Of course….all the other teams on their schedule are losing players and will guaranteed to be worst while UGA loses no one important except their 6 best defensive players including their best in nearly a decade.
Take the silliness about LSU\SC already starting…..UGA is losing over 8 members of their average defense but no worries…..SC who has own UGA for 3 years is losing the Lattimore kid, so in UGA math 9<1, waaahla, UGA instantly is wins over a team who beat them by 35 last season? Excuse me, disneys, who does UGA have coming on board who can block Clowney and the rest of their DL? I will take Spurrier when he is going for his 4th straight over UGA, everyone know how he lives on doing things never done before. Is losing Lattimore going to overcome losing 9 players on a defense that go beaten by 35 pts? Not logically.
LSU was one of the youngest defenses in the SEC this past year and has been beating UGA in recruiting every single year….yet you see a bunch of inexperienced UGA players are guaranteed to be better than those LSU replacements…why? who knows ask the disneys.
UGA will find out in 2013 what SC\TxAm\UF found out in 2012…it is one thing to play one tough team then 4 cupcakes then another decent team than it is to play 3 or 4 straight hard game in a stretch….
September is going to be a brutal month for UGA, will they be able to recover before UF? Doubt it.
ARdawg
December 12th, 2012
10:08 am
The best move Lattimore can make is go to the NFL. The Ole Bawl Sack used and abused that kid
ARdawg
December 12th, 2012
10:09 am
More angry Nerd trolls on the UGA boards again
My-Guy
December 12th, 2012
10:26 am
I’m going to tell anybody this statement right now, but anybody who thinks Hutson Mason should take over next year & let Aaron Murray leave into the NFL is the most ignorant people I’ve ever seen on this blog. Aaron Murray returning next year would give us one last shot, yes I know it’ll be tougher with that schedule and the rebuilding defense, however the way Aaron Murray played against an Alabama defense showed that he can handle the elite defenses! He can prove that with the tough schedule next year! Hutson Mason has not had enough expierence on the field!
Joey
December 12th, 2012
10:30 am
Here’s my QB predictions. Murray is good as gone. The Hutson Mason era (two seasons) begins, and it will be a good one. Hutson is a really good and accurate passer, in the pocket or ‘gun, and Murray himself has said he knows the offense as good as he does.
Ramsey will get redshirted next season, will be #2 in ‘14, and will take over in ‘15.
The fact that Richt said if Murray went down in the SECCG, he would “take off Mason’s redshirt,” in game #13, speaks volumes about LeMay’s status. LeMay is nowhere as good as Mason, and will get passed by a bigger Ramsey, who has a absolute, gun of an arm.
My-Guy
December 12th, 2012
10:41 am
If Murray leaves, we are in severe trouble in September!
ARdawg
December 12th, 2012
11:09 am
” If Murray leaves, we are in severe trouble in September!”
That’s quite extreme. Murray took a lot of criticism and much of it deserved and much wasn’t. I’ve no doubt HM could fill those shoes in a heartbeat given the opportunity. It’s Murray’s choice to go or stay but, I don’t see his NFL prospects improving any if he stays another year. If he gets injured after staying his prospects will decrease. I don’t expect he’d ever be an NFL #1 but, the best job in the NFL is the #2 QB which he could fill nicely.