Dawn of the Dawg
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Georgia Football: Senior of the Year

By Matt Green

Oct 1, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Maurice Smith (2) intercepts a pass in front of Tennessee Volunteers tight end Jason Croom (18) during the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium. Tennessee defeated Georgia 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Maurice Smith (2) intercepts a pass in front of Tennessee Volunteers tight end Jason Croom (18) during the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium. Tennessee defeated Georgia 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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In our first of a four-part series, we are going to be choosing Georgia’s player of the year by class. Today, we choose the top senior.

Unfortunately, there were not as many options as we would’ve liked in this class, which might help explain the 7-5 record on the field this season. Georgia had just four senior starters and two of them were graduate transfers.

Dawn of the Dawg Senior of the Year:

Maurice Smith

The Alabama-transfer added some much-needed experience to the Dawgs’ defense in 2016.

While the secondary was expected to be a strength for the defense coming into the year, Smith still came in and earned a starting spot despite only taking part in a couple weeks of fall practice.

Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Rico McGraw played the nickel position during his freshman campaign in 2015 and at times showed signs of being a big-time player, but because of Smith, McGraw saw the field rarely, if at all, in 2016.

Smith was already fully aware of Kirby Smart’s system after playing the first three years of his collegiate career for the Crimson Tide.

“Mo” Smith started 10 of 12 games for the Bulldogs this season and ranked eighth on the team with 44 tackles from his nickel position. he also intercepted two passes which ties him with five other Bulldogs for second place on the team.

Smith also recovered two fumbles and scored one of the Dawgs’ two defensive touchdowns on the season when he intercepted Auburn’s Sean White and returned it 34 yards for a score. The touchdown was the only touchdown Georgia scored in the 13-7 upset win over the Tigers.

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He also helped anchor a secondary that recorded a league-high 15 interceptions.

Georgia allowed 24.1 points per game this season, which ranked seventh in the SEC and 40th in the nation.

Senior of the year honorable mention:

Brandon Kublanow (Center) and Greg Pyke (Right Tackle)

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