Kirby’s defensive line was by far one of the best units in his defense. They owned the line of scrimmage evidenced by them being No. 8 in line yards allowed, No. 6 in standard downs line yards allowed, No. 47 in passing downs line yards allowed, No. 2 in opportunity rate, No. 11 in power success rate, and No. 26 in stuff rate.
Notice the defensive line was top ten in every category other than power success rate, which they were just outside the top ten in that one, and stuff rate.
Tyler Clark was a big part of why the defensive line was so productive. He led the team in tackles for loss with eight and added 11 quarterback pressures. Travon Walker helped out a lot also adding 12 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and nine quarterback pressures.
Georgia’s defense was No. 46 in the country in sacks, according to CFBstats.com. However, it is not the job of the defensive line to get sacks in a 3-4 defense. It is their job to shut down the run and take up blockers so that the linebackers can get to the quarterback.
Even in the Nickel, the Edge rushers are linebackers that are playing the defensive end position, so the pass rush will primarily be graded under the linebacking corps. That’s not to say that the defensive line didn’t get any pressure, because they did. Jordan Davis and Clark were the No. 2 and No. 3 players on the sack leaders list this season with 2.5 sacks apiece.
Malik Herring and Devonte Wyatt also had very good years when it came to getting to the quarterback. Herring quietly got 12 quarterback hurries while Wyatte wracked up 14 himself. However, combined they were only able to bring the quarterback down twice.