Georgia football: how the Bulldogs will improve at linebacker
Inside linebackers
Rice is pretty much a lock at will linebacker. He’s got the speed, quickness and tackling ability needed to be a star at the position. He just needs to stay healthy, and if he can’t stay healthy Georgia needs someone with a similar skill set to back him up.
The first guy to come to mind is Nate McBride. The sophomore is yet to breakout on defense, but he has shown the athleticism, toughness and skills necessary to play WLB on kickoff coverage. He’s a headhunter on kickoffs, when they are actually returned. His name was called a lot less this year because Georgia did have way more touchbacks.
With two years of experience, he should be ready to take the next step on this Georgia defense. And the team might need him to be. At least to give the team a quality backup to relieve Rice. McBride certainly has the talent. 247Sports Composite ranked him as the no. 6 inside linebacker and the no. 163 player overall in 2017.
Beside Rice at mike linebacker is Tae Crowder. Best known going into 2018 as the guy who stopped the squib kick in the Rose Bowl, Crowder earned a ton of playing time in his junior year and even started a few games. With a year as a main contributor and a careers worth of knowledge of Georgia’s defense, Crowder will enter 2019 as leader.
But he needs a backup as well and Quay Walker might be the guy to back him up. Walker was a top signee in the 2018 recruiting class. 247Sports Composite had him ranked no. 31 overall and no. 2 at outside linebacker. The coaches moved him to the inside and they gave him valuable snaps in nearly every game this year. His biggest game came against Georgia Tech where he recorded three tackles.
Other guys from recent signing classes to watch out for are Jaden Hunter (no. 137 overall and no. 9 OLB in 2017) and Channing Tindall (no. 103 overall and no. 5 ILB in 2018). Both are still searching for their roles on defense. The two outside spots are packed right now. But there is plenty of room at inside linebacker for Hunter and Tindall to carve out roles as valuable backups. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Georgia rotate six different inside backers in 2019. That might be the most improved spot on the field.