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Georgia Football 2017 Position Battles: Defensive End

By Alistair Penny

Nov 7, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats running back Mikel Horton (4) is tackled by Georgia Bulldogs players led by linebacker Juwan Taylor (44) and defensive end Jonathan Ledbetter (13) during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Kentucky 27-3. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats running back Mikel Horton (4) is tackled by Georgia Bulldogs players led by linebacker Juwan Taylor (44) and defensive end Jonathan Ledbetter (13) during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Kentucky 27-3. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Continuing our look at the Georgia Football position battles, we look at the interior defensive ends:

Apr 16, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive end Jonathan Ledbetter (13) rushes the passer during the second half of the spring game at Sanford Stadium. The Black team defeated the Red team 34-14. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive end Jonathan Ledbetter (13) rushes the passer during the second half of the spring game at Sanford Stadium. The Black team defeated the Red team 34-14. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Related Story: 2017 position battles: DT's

Jonathan Ledbetter, Junior

Ledbetter is one of the players on the Georgia Football roster with the best chance of breaking out in 2017. He missed the first 6 games of the year with a suspension and does has fought addiction problems in the past. However, he seemed to have turned the corner and made a big difference in Georgia’s play when he returned. He doesn’t light up the stat sheet but he clearly has a big impact. Baring injury, will be the starter and if he truly does have a big year, the NFL could claim him early in 2018.

David Marshall, Sophomore

A true freshman, Marshall had a bigger than expected impact in 2016 for UGA. Barely a top 500 player on 247 in his class, the 3 sacks he brought in were an unexpected surprise. Similar in size to Ledbetter, he’s a natural to maintain the #2 slot in his sophomore year.

Chauncey Manac, redshirted Freshman

Manac was redshirted in 2016 but according to reports from UGA coaches, he was impressive on the scout team. Manac is an interesting body type and might profile better as an OLB but he could well see time at DE. It’s likely that if he reaches his potential, he bounces between the two positions depending on the down. Hopefully he has a good spring and he pushes for the playing time in 2017.

Malik Herring, Freshman

The #4 overall ranked SDE in the 2017 class, Herring is an interesting prospect. Coming in at 6-4, 265 lbs, he has impressive size and even better athleticism. Google him and you’ll see plenty of videos of him doing backflips and cartwheels that make no sense for a man his size. He’s raw and in a crowded position group, but don’t be surprised if he comes in better than expected.

Robert Beal, Freshman

Right now, Beal is the smallest player of this group. Weighing just 230 lbs, he’s about 30-40 lbs behind the rest of his competition. That being said, what he lacks in size, he makes up for in speed. Beal’s ranking was up and down in high school. At times, he was an uber elite prospect, in the countries top 10 but he ended up just outside the top 100. He’s the most likely of this group to get redshirted or end up as an OLB, but his pass rush ability could earn him time.

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