Georgia football: how the Bulldogs will improve at linebacker

New recruits to watch

The biggest name to keep an eye on from the 2019 class is Jermaine Johnson. He’s the best JUCO player in America according to 247Sports. He is massive at 6-5, 250 pounds and he’s already enrolled at UGA. He’ll be listed as a junior most likely. At Independence Community College in Kansas, he made 12.5 sacks and 19 tackles for a loss in two seasons.

Nolan Smith

Johnson isn’t the only no. 1 overall player in Georgia’s 2019 class. Nolan Smith signed with the Bulldogs in the early signing period out of high school and he is about to begin classes. At 6-3, 232 pounds, he might need to add some weight, but that shouldn’t be an issue with eight months until the season starts.

Smith said the coaches see him as a Lorenzo Carter-type player, but he’s going to learn the entire defense and will end up moving to either JLB or SLB. But if the coaches like him at his current size, he may play at WLB. That’s how talented and versatile he is. He’s got the size to play as a rangy inside backer, and his height doesn’t lock him into playing on the edge.

Nakobe Dean

In most other recruiting classes, Nakobe Dean would be the top prospect. In Georgia’s he has to settle for second place. The no. 14 player overall and no. 1 inside linebacker by 247Sports has already earned national recognition by winning the high school Butkus Award. He’s another Roquan Smith type; a WLB who can play all over the field, stop the run, cover passes and rush the quarterback.

Depth will no longer be concern at linebacker moving forward. Georgia’s most shallow position group of 2018 might be the deepest in 2019. The Dawgs should go three-deep with very little fall off at almost every position. If the new recruits come ready to play early, Georgia will have a fourth option at a few spots. How to get all of these talented players on the field is the coaches problem. For fans, we’re going to enjoy seeing this group dominate for a long time.