Georgia football: Dawgs see impressive grading in Orange Bowl victory

Georgia football linebackers: A+

Georgia football’s linebacker corp is one of the most talented in the entire country. Sure, Alabama has Will Anderson, but Georgia has at least three to four guys who can cause just as much trouble. They are lethal by a committee and do it as a team. Now Alabama has other talented linebackers, but what they don’t have is the Butkus Award winner, and he is one of the biggest reasons this unit got the grade they did.

This group earns an A+ though, because they caused problems all night long. Nakobe Dean proved Friday night why he will make a ton of money in the NFL from his performance. He is so smart and strategic about everything, not to mention his speed is mind-blowing.

Georgia recorded four sacks as Dean, Nolan Smith, Robert Beal Jr., and Travon Walker earned a quarterback takedown. Dean paced the Dawgs with two tackles for loss and forced a fumble. There wasn’t much he didn’t do to bully Michigan’s offense, and those Wolverines will remember his name forever.

Smith led the Dawgs with eight total tackles, including five solo ones. Quay Walker recorded six tackles, and Dean had seven.

Those linebackers committed a few crimes on the field Friday night and forgot that those offensive players have families because every time they hit one of them, it was a physical takedown.

This group stood tough and led the defense with a purpose. These guys want to win it all, and they will do whatever it takes to make that happen. With Dean leading this unit, Georgia has a shot.

I don’t think any Georgia football fan figured we would see another Roquan Smith playing for the Dawgs this soon, but here we are with Dean proving that he is just as good.