Georgia defensive star identifies up-and-coming Bulldogs on that side of the ball
With 15 players off to the NFL and several others to the transfer portal or graduation, Georgia Football certainly has spots to fill. That’s why the Bulldogs’ coaching staff will be putting pressure on some of the younger players to step up, especially on defense. According to Nolan Smith who represented the team at SEC Media Days last week, they are taking the challenge on well.
“I’m ready to see our young guys play football because, like myself, when I watched Azeez [Ojulari] in front of me for those two years and I sat on the bench and people thought, you know, maybe he’s not good, maybe he’s washed up. I was just awaiting my opportunity and waiting my turn, and a lot of guys, that’s just how it is,” Smith said. “We have so many good players, and some guys have to wait their opportunity, some guys have to wait their turn. Some guys actually respect themselves not to jump in the transfer portal and want to be at a university and want to be there and be a part of something, I think, bigger than myself.”
When pressed for a couple of specific players, a couple of names came to mind for Smith. Jamon Dumas-Johnson is expected to take over one of the inside linebacker spots and be a leader in the middle of the defense. Smael Mondon could be a starter at inside linebacker too, having to beat out the likes of Trezmen Marshall and Rian Davis for the spot. Then there’s Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins who folks are incredibly high on too as Georgia attempts to replace the production it’s losing in No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker.
“Pop, Jamon, Smael Mondon and the guys I came with, Trezmen Marshall and Rian Davis. They just haven’t had the opportunity to show what they have,” Smith said. “Ty (Tyrion) Ingram. Ty Ingram is a young guy, a redshirt, and I think he’s going to have a good year.”
“I told Pop that it took time,” he continued, sharing some of the advice that he has shared with Dumas-Johnson already as he looks to take on a bigger leadership role. “Me and Nakobe started as DIME wrappers together. We weren’t talking. We were just out there trying to play. I told him that it’ll take time but to trust in himself because he’s an amazing player and he knows the playbook like the back of his hand. Just trust in himself.”
As for the youngest players of them all, the freshmen, they’ve been able to catch Smith’s eye too. The 12 summer enrollees arrived on campus at the end of May and have gotten to work.
“They came in ready to work and understood that there’s a standard here and that guys are going to lead the way,” Smith said of the summer enrollees. “All they have to do is just follow. If you follow, you’ll be okay.”
One specific freshman has stood out to Smith so far. Five-star EDGE Marvin Jones Jr., the No. 22 overall player in the country according to the On3 Consensus, is in his position group, and the two have already connected. Off the field, they go fishing, and Smith said that Jones can pull in about anything that’s in the water. On the field though, he’s been equally as impressive.
“Marvin, I watch him. He’s in my position group, and I’m the most excited to see him just because when he came in, he’s a great pass rusher, good arms, great length and he just works so hard,” Smith said. “He’s not one of those guys with a big head. He’s just here to work and I can work with any man like that.”
Georgia players report for fall camp next week on Tuesday with the first practice scheduled for Thursday, August 4th. Kickoff to the 2022 season comes September 3rd against Oregon in Atlanta, Ga. as a part of the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
