Georgia football sees two players earn First Team All-America honors

Georgia football got news on Monday that two of its players received AP First Team All-America honors. Two of the Dawgs’ defenders, Christopher Smith and Jalen Carter, landed on the First Team, and this is quite the honor.

These All-America lists are for the best of the best, and those two are indeed two of the most impressive players in this 2022 season. Georgia continues to add honors after the regular season football season, and rightfully so, as the Dawgs are 13-0 and the new SEC Champions.

Carter and Smith were two veteran leaders on this reasonably young defense, and it was important that both of them were on this team in 2022. Smith took his COVID year to come back after the 2021 season, which has transformed him into one of the best secondary players in the country. Carter is a true junior who was coming back anyway, but it was his defensive front, and despite an injury, he was a game-changer for the Dawgs.

Georgia football has two on the First Team All-America list

The Dawgs would not be where it’s at right now without these two guys, which is likely why they are on this All-America list. Both guys have gotten a lot of love this postseason, as they are both on the Walter Camp Football Foundation and Football Writers Association of America All-America First Teams lists.

This season, Carter started seven games because of an injury, but when he came back, it was noticeable. He has 29 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles, and 25 quarterback hurries. In the last six meetings, he has recorded 24 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks, along with those two forced fumbles. It’s incredible to see what Carter has been able to do without being on the field for all 13 games.

While Carter has been helping lock down the rush attack, Smith has been a force in the secondary. He started all 13 games for the Dawgs and led the team with three interceptions. Smith has 50 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, five pass breakups, three quarterback hurries, and a fumble recovery. Against LSU in the SEC Championship Game, he recorded a blocked kick and took it back 95 yards for a score.

These two guys are part of the heart and soul of the Georgia defense. It’s great to see these veteran guys get this honor because it’s truly impressive to have your name on an All-America list.