Dawn of the Dawg
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Georgia Football: 5 key questions for spring practice

By Alistair Penny

Nov 5, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie (16) runs the ball against Kentucky Wildcats linebacker Josh Allen (41) in the first quarter at Commonwealth Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie (16) runs the ball against Kentucky Wildcats linebacker Josh Allen (41) in the first quarter at Commonwealth Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
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3. Who takes over from Mo Smith at the Nickel spot?

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 /

The captain and leader of UGA’s defense in 2016 will no longer be around. Smith had a huge impact despite only being at Georgia for one year. The Nickel corner or ‘star’ position is an important part of Kirby Smarts defense and there are several candidates battling it out to win the job this spring.

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Mecole Hardman Jr has the athletic ability to pretty much play anywhere. This spring will probably show us exactly where the coaches plan on playing him. They held him off the field almost entirely in 2016 to help him learn to be a DB. If they plan and keeping him as a corner back, they would want him to at least compete for one of the CB jobs.

J.J. Reed is another player who transferred in 2016. He sat out the year after transferring in from Tulsa and has the size and quickness to play the star. He is the cousin of early enrollee DeAngelo Gibbs, another person who could compete for this job. Gibbs is a big time athlete, but he needs polish in the defensive backfield and so may end up further down the depth cart. His size also means he likely profiles better as a safety but don’t be surprised if he gets some playing time in certain situations.

The other early enrollee is the player who could well end up winning this spot early. Richard LeCounte III has been playing safety his whole high school career and looks like someone who could perfectly fit in at Nickel. His ability to play the pass and hit receivers hard despite his size profile perfectly to this position. It’s a lot to expect a true freshman to win a position like this, but there’s just something different about LeCounte.

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