Georgia football: grading interior linemen in 2019 class
Additional depth
Everyone else Georgia signed in the interior will just add depth for the time being, unless Bill Norton has a huge summer. He’s the no. 9 strongside defensive end in the nation, making him the most college ready interior lineman in the 2019 class besides Walker, according to the recruit rankings.
He’s 6-6, 275 lbs and his known for being fairly athletic off the edge. But he’s most known for his strength and run stopping ability. Georgia’s defensive system calls for more athleticism from edge rushers, so strongside defensive ends typically translates to playing in the interior. With his skillset and size, he’ll play the Tyler Clark role on the defensive line, moving from tackle in four-man fronts, to end in five-man fronts.
He’s expected to bulk up to around 300 pounds at some point. That creates an exciting prospect for the future. Between him, Walker, and whoever players nose guard for the Dawgs in the future, Georgia can have three linemen totalling over 900 pounds on the field at once. Each one a blue-chip player, assuming the future nose guard is 2020 commit Jamil Burroughs.
Further down in Georgia’s 2019 class is Zion Logue, a strongside defensive end with a similar size and skillset to Norton. He needs to develop his body more before he can become a contributor, but he has great instincts and quick reaction. Three-stars Tymon Mitchell and Tramel Walthour (JUCO) fill out the class. Both are listed as defensive tackles. Walthour is on the smaller side at 277 lbs so he might stay at defensive tackle and work mostly in five-man fronts. Mitchell is already over 300 lbs and isn’t that athletic. But he does use his size well to occupy blockers, the basic job for a nose guard.
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The final grade for Georgia’s group of interior linemen is an A- because of the potential of Travon Walker and Bill Norton. Walker might start some games this season. At the very least, he’ll be a key backup. Norton just needs a big summer to adjust to the college style. He might earn valuable playing time, he might have to wait for next year. Either way, both guys should be stars on Georgia’s defensive line by 2021.
Everyone else just adds depth, though I am interested in seeing how quickly Tymon Mitchell accepts the nose guard role. If he embraces it and works hard in the weight room, he can become a starter in a couple of years.