Georgia Football: Defensive linemen to watch this spring

David Marshall, DE, Junior

Marshall is one of the more unheralded players from the Georgia defense. He’s another member of the 2016 class, but unlike Carter, Marshall was a 3-star player. He was highly recruited though and Kirby got him to pick UGA over long time favourite Auburn right at the end.

Marshall backed up Jonathan Ledbetter for much of 2017. He’s proven to be very valuable however at bringing pressure when he gets on the field. Marshall had 3 sacks in the 2016 season and while he was asked to provide more run support this past season, he has shown that he’s very capable of being a difference maker.

I fully expect Jonathan Ledbetter to be the captain of this defense next year. That means that I think he’ll be on the field quite a bit. But that doesn’t mean that Marshall won’t be important. I think Kirby could end up getting a bit more creative with his fronts in 2018. That will help Marshall who has the size to play up the middle in some packages.

Marshall is going to have to hold off a challenge from our next player as well if he want’s to do that, however. With some young players stepping up and pushing for time, that’s going to be easier said than done. But don’t count him out just yet, Marshall has already proven that he’s someone to keep an eye on when it comes to the defensive line.