Dawn of the Dawg
Fansided

Georgia Football: 3 defensive veterans who need to step up in 2017.

By Alistair Penny

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 01: Members of the Georgia Bulldogs take the field before the start of their SEC Championship Game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Georgia Dome on December 1, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 01: Members of the Georgia Bulldogs take the field before the start of their SEC Championship Game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Georgia Dome on December 1, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 4
Next
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images /

Georgia Football is going to need some of its older players to step up in 2017 if they are going to win the SEC East.

Related Story: 3 key offensive veterans for the 2017 season.

After checking in on the offensive side of the ball yesterday, it’s time to look at what should be UGA’s strength. The defense, unlike the offense, has a large number of upperclassmen. If this side of the ball plays well, not only could they end up carrying UGA to a SEC East title, but a great deal of them could find themselves going pretty early in the NFL draft.

Unlike the offense, this unit is made up almost exclusively of Juniors and Seniors. There are a lot of players on this unit who could end up playing on Sundays. There is the good chance that all of the linebackers get drafted in next years draft. Roquan Smith and Natrez Patrick could be the best inside linebacker duo in the country. Lorenzo Carter and Davin Bellamy are also known quantities who will be big time contributors to this team.

There are, however, 3 other players who I believe will be the difference on this defense.. As the strongest part of this team, there is going to be a lot of pressure on this side of the ball to get stops this year. If this defense is going to make the jump from good to great, these guys are going to need to step it up in 2017.

Home/Georgia Bulldogs News