Georgia football sees its defense earn strong midseason grades

This week, Georgia football begins its second half of the season against the Florida Gators in Jacksonville. However, before focusing on the Gators, we wanted to address the first half of the season and give out some grades for each position.

First up is the defense because they were the unit that honestly shocked us the most. Losing so many starters from last year’s team had many wondering how good this side of the ball would be.

We expected to be a falloff, and while there has been some of one, this defense has stepped up time and time again in the first seven games to show it is still elite. These young guys have gone above and beyond to prove themselves. The Dawgs haven’t been perfect on this side of the ball, but the key is they improve each week.

Georgia football sees the defense earn a collective grade of A+ for the first half of the season.

The Dawgs’ defense ranks No. 2 nationally and No.1 in the SEC in scoring defense, giving up 9.1 points a game. Georgia has given up just five touchdowns all season and 10 field goals. The Dawgs are No. 4 nationally and No.1 in the conference in rushing defense, as opponents average 83.29 yards on the ground a game and 3.29 yards a rush. Georgia has given up one rushing score thus far this season.

Through the air, Georgia’s defense is No. 4 overall and No.1 in the SEC. The Dawgs give up 163.7 yards through the air and just four touchdowns. They also have six interceptions on the year.

You guessed it, Georgia has the No. 4 overall defense and the No.1 defense in the SEC right now. The Dawgs allow 247 yards a game and 4.43 yards a play on average.

This unit has done a tremendous job stopping opponents and stepping up despite having injuries in key positions. Now that we’ve seen the defense’s stats through seven games let’s give grades for each position. 

Georgia football defensive line: A-

The Dawgs’ defensive front gets an A- because of the impressive rush defense numbers. However, the biggest struggle that Georgia has had this year is getting to the quarterback and recording sacks.

Ahead of the Florida game, Georgia has 34 tackles for loss, seven sacks and 84 quarterback hurries. That last stat helps this unit because it’s impressive, but I still would love to see them break through and record a few more sacks.

However, we are nitpicking here. Zion Logue, Warren Brinson, Nazir Stackhouse, Mykel Williams, and the rest of this position have done a great job in Jalen Carter’s absence at still shutting down the run and doing their jobs.

Georgia football linebackers: A

This linebacker group is incredible. To lose who they did at this position, one of them leads the team in tackles, and they’ve done a great job stepping into those leadership roles.

Jamon Dumas-Johnson leads the team with 33 total tackles, 28 of them being solo ones. He has four tackles for loss and two sacks. This young man stepped into Nakobe Dean’s role and handled it with grace and integrity.

Smael Mondon has 22 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss. He is another that has stepped up in the linebacker group. Nolan Smith puts his hand in the dirt but is also part of this group. He has 16 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks and 15 quarterback hurries.

This group is tenacious and keeps the middle part of the defense in check. They get an A because there have been times when they’ve let teams slip through, but it hasn’t been often. The linebackers have fixed their issues, and this second half of the season could see them really get explosive.

Georgia football secondary: A+

Another position group that grows stronger each game is the Dawgs’ secondary. Chris Smith, Malaki Starks, Kelee Ringo, Dan Jackson, Kamari Lassiter, and the rest of this position have held tough through those first seven games.

To record six interceptions is great and something we want to see from them. Starks has been a pleasant surprise. He has the second most tackles on the team at 25 total. Starks also has two interceptions.

Chris Smith has also been a force this season. He is a stud and the player that holds the glue together in the secondary. Smith is a leader and his coming back is such a blessing.

This group has given up four touchdowns but is No.4 in the country, which is impressive. The second half of the season will be a challenge for them with the likes of Tennessee and Mississippi State’s high-powered passing offenses, but they’ll be ready to make plays.

Georgia football has another elite defense that isn’t entirely on the 2021 level but is growing and getting stronger. We cannot wait to see what this side of the ball does in the second half of the year.