Georgia football: 4 outstanding Dawgs who earned Orange Bowl stickers

Warren Ericson poses in the confetti after the Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Michigan Wolverines in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Warren Ericson poses in the confetti after the Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Michigan Wolverines in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
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Georgia football
Blake Corum gets tackled by Nakobe Dean. (Mandatory Credit: Detroit Free Press)

Georgia football linebacker Nakobe Dean

The other linebacker that earns this week’s helmet sticker is Nakobe Dean because there wasn’t much he didn’t do against Michigan.

He finished with seven tackles, five solo ones, two tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, and with the stats not quite all the way updated, it’s safe to assume he has a few quarterback hurries under his belt too.

Dean proved why he won the Butkus Award because he is so intelligent and puts everyone in the right place while also making plays himself. There aren’t many offenses that can confuse him out of making plays. Dean is another Roquan Smith and has that kind of pull on this defense.

He knows what will happen before it does, which makes me feel like Dean isn’t human, but that is because he works so hard at his craft. Dean is a special player, and having him on the team at this moment is such a blessing. He will be one of the guys that help Georgia do it all if it’s meant to happen this season.

Georgia had more than these guys perform well against Michigan, but these four were pivotal to the Dawgs’ success and are why they are heading to the national championship.