Georgia football: Defensive players to watch out for during the preseason

(Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
(Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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ATHENS, GA – NOVEMBER 19: Georgia football linebacker Lorenzo Carter (#7) celebrates after a fumble recovery against the Lousiana-Lafayette Rajin’ Cajuns at Sanford Stadium on November 19, 2016 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA – NOVEMBER 19: Georgia football linebacker Lorenzo Carter (#7) celebrates after a fumble recovery against the Lousiana-Lafayette Rajin’ Cajuns at Sanford Stadium on November 19, 2016 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Every linebacker

Georgia isn’t as deep at linebacker as they are one the defensive line, so there will be some opportunities for incoming freshman to compete for.

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The top linebacker that Georgia signed was Jaden Hunter, the no. 9 outside linebacker in America and the no. 133 player overall. The Bulldogs also signed Walter Grant, the no. 11 outside backer and no. 201 player overall.

Both of them will be playing in the shadows of Lorenzo Carter and Davin Bellamy. And junior D’Andre Walker and redshirt freshman Chauncey Manac will most likely be the backups.

But at this level, and especially in the SEC, you need to be able to play a lot of different guys in the front seven. That means that Hunter and Grant will have the chance to earn a spot on the field.

Georgia also signed a pair of inside linebackers. The biggest signee was Nate McBride, the no. 6 ILB and the no. 161 player overall. Then the Bulldogs got Monty Rice, the no. 17 ILB and the no. 317 player.

They’ll be playing behind veterans Roquan Smith, Natrez Patrick and Reggie Carter. But spots behind them are ripe for the taking. McBride and Rice should and will likely receive a lot of playing time this season.

As far as the preseason goes, I’m very interested to see how quickly they’re developing because they’re each going to be asked to contribute early.

Next: Fall camp is officially underway