Georgia football: Who’s the best D’Andre (Deandre) on the team
The 2018 Georgia football team has three star players with the name D’Andre (Deandre).
If you thought the David’s who led the Bulldogs from 2002-to-2004 were a great tandem, the current Georgia football team might outdo them with three players with the same name. At running back, Georgia has sophomore D’Andre Swift. Senior D’Andre Walker plays linebacker and senior Deandre Baker is a corner back.
But which is the best of the trio? Is there even a best of the trio? How would you even begin to judge that? Lets look at the careers of all three D’Andre’s (Deandre) so far.
Deandre Baker
For 23 games, Deandre Baker has been one of the Dawgs best defensive backs. It’s hard to believe that he didn’t even see the field that much early in his career. Early in 2016, Juwan Briscoe started opposite of Malkom Parrish at corner. But blown coverages and poor open field tackling led coaches to look for a new starter.
Baker was their first choice and he played so well, they didn’t even consider anyone else. In just eight games as a sophomore, he made 31 tackles, broke up five passes, and intercepted two. He started all 15 games in 2017 and ended the season with 44 tackles, nine breakups and three interceptions. Including one that should have led to Georgia sealing the National Championship Game.
Watching him play, you’d guess he’d be 6’2, 210 pounds. But he’s actually listed at 5’11, 180. But he’s one of the SEC’s most physical corners. hat keeps most receivers from beating him on any route. And he has the closing speed to catch up to those who do beat him. Just ask Tennessee.
D’Andre Walker
Who was second on the team in sacks behind Roquan Smith last season?
A. Lorenzo Carter
C. David Bellamy
If you guessed Walker, I guess it was kind of obvious since that’s who we’re talking about now. But yes, believe it or not, Walker, a backup outside linebacker ended 2017 second on the team with 5.5 sacks. He also had 13.5 tackles for a loss.
And he’s the biggest reason why I’m not too concerned about losing Bellamy and Carter. I expect him to have an All-SEC season in 2018. He’s the man now at OLB. No Carter or Bellamy ahead of him anymore. He’s going to shine. I don’t think he’ll have David Pollack or Jarvis Jones type of sack numbers. But eight or nine isn’t out of the question.
D’Andre Swift
Nick Chubb and Sony Michel both ran for over 1,100 yards last year. So one else in Georgia’s backfield could have put up a lot of numbers right? Wrong! As a true freshman last year, D’Andre Swift rushed for 618 yards with three touchdowns. And he caught 17 passes for 153 yards with one more score. That’s 98 touches for 771 yards and four touchdowns.
Don’t let that last name fool you, he’s more than just swift. He’s got some power and agility. Again, just ask Tennessee. But he does live up to that last name. Georgia is going to be just as fine at running back this year thanks to Swift.
Next: Georgia, Auburn and the college football Mecca of Atlanta
Who’s the best?
Clearly the best is all of them. They each play three different positions and will start at those spots in 2018. Baker is still going to shut down opposing receivers and make quarterbacks pay for throwing his way. Walker will step out of Bellamy’s and Carter’s shadow and become one of the team’s best pass rushers. And Swift will carry Georgia’s offense on his back, likely to a 1,000-yard season.