Georgia Football: Why everybody is talking about Tyson Campbell

Georgia Football has a young player in Tyson Campbell that many fans think is going to be an instant fixture on the defensive side of the ball.

If there is one defensive newcomer that every Georgia Football fan seems to be talking about right now, It’s Tyson Campbell. The freshman cornerback has come in and impressed coaches right away. Back when we did our season preview, I was the only one who didn’t pick Campbell for the best defensive newcomer. Everyone is expecting big things from him.

There’s a good reason for that. Campbell is probably the most talented CB prospects I’ve ever seen come to Athens. He’s tall, has long arms and track level speed. From a physical perspective, I don’t think we’ve seen a guy with this sort of potential at UGA since Champ Bailey. He also plays a premier position and it’s one where Georgia desperately needs young guys to step up. The Dawgs lost several key pieces to their secondary after the 2017 season.

Bailey remains the gold standard of CB’s that Georgia has produced. Taken 7th overall in the NFL draft, he is likely a first ballot Hall of Famer and is considered by most Georgia fans as a legend. Now I’m not saying that Campbell is going to become the next Champ, but he certainly is the closest thing that UGA has had since Bailey left.

One of the developments that has excited so many fans is that Campbell is already playing CB. a lot of players with his sort of skillset start out in college at safety and then move over once they are adjusted to the speed of the game at college. Not Campbell who seems to have taken to the college game like a duck to water. Don’t take my word for it, listen to these quotes from Kirby Smart that 247sports published:

"“Tyson has come in and picked things up probably more naturally for a defensive back than what I’ve been used to,” Kirby Smart said of Campbell. “The corner position is probably the easiest to play when you look at our defense because a lot of times they’re man to man outside, but there are some checks involved, and he’s handled that well. He’s a very mature kid. He’s practiced hard. If he can stay away from the injury bug, he’s certainly going to play a lot for us.”"

Smart certainly showed a lot of confidence in Campbell by handing him the number 3 shirt. The jersey that was last worn by Roquan Smith on defense has a symbolic meaning to Georgia fans after last season. Campbell is going to have to play to a certain level to meet those expectations.

That’s a lot of pressure for an 18-year-old. But based on everything that I’ve read, that seems reasonable because Campbell is a rare talent. When a head coach raves about his mental makeup and they also have the physical gifts that Campbell has, that makes him special. He will also have the opportunity to learn from a potential 1st round player in Deandre Baker this season. Baker doesn’t have Campbell’s raw talent, but he knows how to play the position and shut down receivers. There isn’t a better player for Campbell to learn from.

The Dawgs will need him to show just what he can do this weekend. With South Carolina waiting for them in week 2, UGA needs to feel confident in their secondary because the Gamecocks and Missouri in week 4 both have plenty of receiving weapons and good QB’s. If Georgia is going to reload on defense and once again threaten for a CFP spot, it’s going to be up to Campbell and others to step up and make an instant impact. He’ll get his first chance to do that this weekend against Austin Peay.