Continuing our look at the Georgia football position battles, we look at the interior defensive tackles:
Related Story: 2017 position battles: Interior OL
John Atkins, Senior
‘Big John’ as he is affectionately known in the Georgia football team, was a big presence for the team in 2016. He started 9 of the last 10 games and played in all 13 contests in the year. He did not register any sacks, but Atkins’ main job has always been to stuff the run. A big 6-4, 315lbs man, he does this job admirably and will be the favourite to win the the Nose Tackle job in 2017.
DaQuan Hawkins-Muckle, Junior
Another bigger Nose Tackle, Hawkins-Muckle had several big games this past year. He was credited with 5 tackles against Nicolls State and 6 against Florida, before an injury against the Gators ruled him out for the rest of the season. A redshirted Junior, his 6-4 320 lbs frame makes another great option at the nose and gives UGA the option to rotate tackles there.
Trenton Thompson, Junior
The #1 overall recruit in the nation in 2015, Thompson has shown flashes of dominance the past 2 seasons. He has however lacked consistency and he lost his starting to spot to Julian Rochester for pasts of last year. A recent medical issue has meant that he has left the team for this semester and there is no indication when he will return.
Julian Rochester, Sophmore
An early enrollee in 2016, Rochester had a very solid freshman year. Despite going up against highly regarded player in Thompson, Rochester ended up winning the starting job for part of the season and impressed throughout. Despite coming in at 6-5 and 315lbs, he has impressive burst and athleticism that makes him much more than just a run-stuffer. If he improves his pass rush, 2017 could be a huge year for him.
Tyler Clark, Sophmore
Despite not being a particularly highly ranked recruit, Clark played well in 2016. He ended up with 21 total tackles and played in parts of every game. While he is a little lighter than the other’s on this list, he showed last year that he can stuff the run and perhaps play some nose. One to watch out for this spring, a good practice could see him jump up the depth chart.
Devonte Wyatt, Freshman
The smallest man of the group, if a 6-3 300lb 18 year old can be called small. Wyatt has impressive athleticism and reportedly ran a 4.6 in the 40 yard dash according to a Dawgnation profile. Wyatt was relatively lowly rated because of where he played his high school football but he offers real potential. He’d joining a strong position group, but expect him to push for time and have an impact up the middle when he gets on the field.
Can Thompson’s production be replaced? Will it need to be?
Trenton Thompson’s recent withdrawal from UGA for the rest of the semester has certainly worried fans. Despite having an inconsistent season, Thompson dominated in the bowl game against TCU, racking up 3 sacks in one game. This kind of production is what so many were expecting when he signed in 2015 and had many people predicting he could be set up for a breakout season in 2017.
Unfortunately, the medical issue that has withdrawn him from school will of course set back his development. There is no guarantee he will be back in 2017, the school is rightly keeping details of his issue under wraps so we really do not know his timetable. If he does return and is no worse for wear, he will likely lead what could able a dominant defensive front.
If anyone is going to pick up Thompson’s production, it’s likely to be Rochester. Having started 6 games in 2016, he was the second best lineman behind Thompson despite being a freshman. Fan’s should expect for him to take the starting job, at least until Thompson returns and perhaps for the whole season. He has the potential to be a dominant player on the line in 2017.
Tyler Clark had moments last year and will certainly be in the mix to get some snaps again this year, particularly if Thompson misses time. Freshman Devonte Wyatt is also worth keeping an eye on. He wan’t particularly highly ranked, but he has amazing raw tools. He will likely have the chance to learn behind some top tackles this year, but like the rest of the 2017 class, he’s coming in with the mentality to take a job.
Who is going to hold down the nose?
John Atkins is the obvious choice to win this particular battle but there will likely be more than 1 person pushing for his job. DeQuan Hawkins-Muckle played very well before his injury in 2016 and the team felt his absence. Despite being just a junior, he redshirted so is from the same class as ‘Big John’. He’d very capable of taking snaps as well as winning the job if Atkins has a down period.
Tyler Clark is also someone who could end up pushing for time at the Nose. If Devonte Wyatt ends up pushing hard at DT, he has the run stuffing potential to play at the nose. Another young player, he could make like uncomfortable for the two senior statesmen in camp and that would be good for the team.
Of course, Georgia won’t always play a NT every play. Kirby Smart and Mel Tucker like to move their front around and that will continue in 2017. Pass rushers like Johnathan Ledbetter, David Marshall and Chauncey Manac should all end up rotating in and out on the line. It’s always exciting to see players like this rush from the middle on clear passing situations.
Projected Depth Chart:
DT: NT:
1. Julian Rochester 1. John Atkins
2. Trenton Thompson 2. DaQuan Hawkins-Muckle
3. Devonte Wyatt 3. Tyler Clark
Next: Can UGA make the Tournament?
There’s no doubt that losing Trenton Thompson is a blow for a very talented UGA group. But if there is one area that Georgia is set up to withstand a blow like this, its defensive tackle. Julian Rochester has the potential to be a game changer and a potential All-SEC type player. Dawg fans will be hoping he takes another leap in 2017. Atkins and Hawkins-Muckle bring veteren leadership and consistency that all teams need on the line.
There is no doubt that the team want’s Thompson to return and hopefully he will in time for the season. If he does, this could be one of the most dominant lines in the SEC. Considering how good defensive line play is in the conference, that’s really saying something!