UGA football: Assessing the Dawgs chances of another SEC East title

Reason One UGA Football Repeats: A Vicious Defense

They have long been known for their stifling play on that side of the ball, and that shows no signs of slowing down. Thanks in large part to three shutouts (two against conference opponents Kentucky and Missouri), that defense was incredibly stingy and allowed just 12.6 points per game last season, good for number one in the nation.

And there is no reason why it can’t continue to be exceptional this year, as 80 percent of the defensive production returns according to Bill Connelly of ESPN.

Much of that production comes from defensive backs Richard LeCounte, a senior safety projected to be a leader of the defense, and cornerback Eric Stokes, who may be one of the country’s premier lockdown players next season.

On top of those two, six other defensive starters return spanning all three levels, including five upperclassmen who will bring years of experience and leadership back to Athens. Plus, this list doesn’t even include players like former number one overall recruit Nolan Smith who didn’t start enough to qualify but still made a significant impact and is poised to continue to do so next season.

Combine all that returning production with the consensus top recruiting class in America headlined by five-star cornerback Kelee Ringo and there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic that Georgia’s defense will be just as fierce in the upcoming season.