Nakobe Dean, Nolan Smith go back a long way before NFL careers
Former Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean made an appearance on NFL Network this morning, representing UGA Football, UGA Engineering and of course the Peach State’s new favorite team, the Philadelphia Eagles. Having completed his rookie season with the team, Dean now gets to reunite with three fellow Bulldogs – Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith and Kelee Ringo.
Dean and Smith have a particularly close friendship. Both five-star signees in Georgia’s Class of 2019, Smith played a big part in getting Dean to campus. He was an early commit to Kirby Smart and company for the class and his energy helped get others on board.
“It started in our high school recruitment,” Dean said. “Nolan, he had the personality. I wasn’t as open and able to talk to people like he could, but I remember, he was committed to Georgia early out of IMG. I saw him on a visit, he was talking, he was loud, he could talk to everybody. He was just like, ‘Man, you’re gonna come here, and you’ll be my roommate. We’re going to have a good time and we’re going to win the National Championship.'”
Sure enough, they did. As juniors, and important leaders on the 2021 team, Dean and Smith helped Georgia to the program’s first National Championship in over four decade on the backs of a dominant defense.
LOOK: Nolan Smith, Nakobe Dean celebrate at NFL Draft party together
The Bulldogs finished first in the country in scoring defense, giving up just 10.2 points per game, and second for total defense allowed 267.9 yards per contest. It was the fewest points per game a unit had allowed since 2011 when another Kirby Smart led unit at Alabama gave up just 8.2.
Individually, Dean and Smith were both among the team leaders as well. Dean finished second in tackles with 72 including a team-high 10.5 for loss while Smith was not far behind with 10.0 of his 56 total tackles coming for loss. Those totals were good for second and fifth respectively.
Dean and Smith now get the chance to play together again in the NFL. After Dean went in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, joining fellow Georgia Bulldog-Philadelphia Eagles draftee Jordan Davis in the City of Brotherly Love, Smith was a first round selection by Howie Roseman and company this year. Carter and Ringo also fit the mold giving the Eagles defense five players off of the 2021 UGA unit.
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“I think our GM Howie Roseman did a good job drafting those guys this year. I feel like he picked the best available guys. I don’t think he’s got a thing for Georgia – definitely being from Florida – so I think he just picked the best available guys,” Dean said. “He called me a lot asking about those guys: Kelee, Jalen and Nolan. I want to feel like I had something to do with it. After the draft, I sent him a little ‘Go Dawgs!'”
