Georgia football: two more defensive players may miss Sugar Bowl
Georgia football might have to play the Sugar Bowl without a pair of defensive stars because of injuries tomorrow night.
Senior linebacker D’Andre Walker and freshman defensive lineman Jordan Davis are listed game-time decisions for Kirby Smart and the Georgia football team for tomorrow night’s Sugar Bowl against Texas. If they can’t go, Georgia will have to turn towards other players for defensive production against an explosive Texas offense.
While Davis played fantastic as a freshman, and is certainly a future star on the defensive line, Walker’s injury hurts the defense a lot more. The Dawgs play a ton of players on the defensive line and Davis is listed at defensive tackle alongside junior Tyler Clark, who is one of the best defensive linemen in the SEC. Clark will just need to play more snaps in the Sugar Bowl than what he’s used to. Third on the defensive tackle depth chart is sophomore Malik Herring, a fantastic run stopper, but someone who needs to improve against the pass.
If Walker can’t play, he’ll be handing over the reigns to his replacements a game early. Behind him at jack linebacker are freshmen Brenton Cox and sophomore Robert Beal. Both guys are among the more talented young players in the nation.
Beal was a major part of Georgia’s 2017 signing class. Ranked no. 107 nationally by 247 Composite, Beal was also ranked as the no. 11 player in the state of Georgia and no. 8 weak-side defensive end nationally. Because he arrived on campus with great upperclassmen Walker and Lorenzo Carter taking up the top two spots at his position, Beal has had to wait for his opportunity to shine. He will get that chance tomorrow night in the case of Walker’s absence.
Cox, meanwhile, became a factor on Georgia’s defense almost immediately. Which shouldn’t come as a surprise. 247 Sports ranked him no. 23 nationally, no. 5 in the state of Georgia and no. 2 out of all strong-side defensive ends. In the case of Walker’s injury, Cox might have to make his first career start tomorrow.
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With senior cornerback Deandre Baker already not playing, as his NFL future is a certainty, Georgia’s 2019 starting defense might be making their first appearance a game early almost. The only senior left who is certainly starting is defensive end Jonathan Ledbetter. Other seniors Natrez Patrick and Juwan Taylor will also contribute. Past them, it’ll be underclassmen and some juniors entering the limelight for the first time unprotected by the seniors above them.