The Achilles Heel. By definition, it's a weakness or vulnerable point. According to Greek mythology, the heel was the one place on the body of Achilles -- the Greek war hero -- that his enemies could exploit to defeat him.
Every team, every coach, every player all have an Achilles Heel beyond the actual physical tendon. They all have weaknesses that can be used against them.
In 2023, Georgia may have had more than one perceived weakness that led to the Bulldogs disappointing end of the season against Alabama in the SEC Championship Game. While still near the top of the nation, the Georgia rush defense finished 20th nationally.
The Dawgs gave up 114 rushing yards to Alabama in that game, including some key rushes by Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe.
With returning players, and transfer portal additions such as Xzavier McLeod, the run defense should be a more solid unit in 2024. Injuries to Jordan Hall and McLeod have added some questions to the defensive line, but it still looks like a very formidable group. So where do the Dawgs have some concern in this coming season?
Georgia could be weaker in pass defense and secondary in 2024
Pass defense has been a strength of the Bulldogs on and off during the Kirby Smart era, usually following up a highly-ranked season with a down year for that unit.
In 2023, Georgia finished ninth nationally in pass defense, and led the SEC in interceptions with 14 picks on the season. But the departures of Karmari Lassiter, Javon Bullard, and Tykee Smith to the NFL Draft, and A.J. Harris, Jamon Duman-Johnson, Xavian Sorey Jr., and Nyland Green to the transfer portal have left some holes in both the secondary and linebacker corps.
The 2024 recruiting class does have some promising players in terms of pass defense, but even a highly-regarded recruit like Ellis Robinson IV may take some time to learn the defensive scheme and acclimate himself to the college-level game.
What makes this shift in pass defense even more concerning is the gamut of quarterbacks Georgia will be facing in 2024. Along with one of the toughest schedules in the nation, the Bulldogs will be tested by the likes of exerpienced SEC quarterbacks such as Quinn Ewers, Jaxson Dart, Graham Mertz, and former teammate Brock Vandagriff, not to mention another dose of Milroe.
Georgia's offense should be able to score enough to keep up with pretty much anyone in the country, but it's certain that Kirby Smart and defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann don't want to play Keeping up with the Joneses on the field this season.
Predicted depth chart for Georgia's pass defense
ILB | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
MAC | Smael Mondon | Troy Bowles | Justin Williams | Chris Cole |
MONEY | CJ Allen | Jalon Walker | Kris Jones |
This is an area where Georgia has a ton of talent and depth. Any quarterback trying to find open receivers in the middle of the field will be met with some resistance. Even in zone defense, this group of ILBs can cover some ground. With the addition of 5-star recruits Justin Williams and Chris Cole, this may be the best group of inside linebackers in the country.
OLB | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
Mykel Williams/Chaz Chambliss | Damon Wilson/Samuel M’Pemba | Quintavious Johnson |
Here's where things start to get a little less settled. Williams, Chambliss and Wilson all have had some playing time, including during the blowout of FSU in the Orange Bowl. Damon Wilson missed that game after a knee procedure, so he'll need some more reps and looks.
M’Pemba and Johnson are going to need to develop, and if any injuries should occur in front of them, that may put them in the trial by fire category.
While the linebackers do have a lot of experience and depth, as well as versatility with players like Jalon Walker, the defensive backs are another story. Here's where Georgia will be replacing a lot of starters and will need youth to step up in a hurry.
CB | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
Left | Julian Humphrey/Daniel Harris | Ellis Robinson | |
Right | Daylen Everette | Ellis Robinson | DeMello Jones/Ondre Evans |
This group of players is as close as you can get in terms of who deserves first-team reps. You may end up seeing corner-by-committee with Harris, Humphrey, and Robinson rotating in and out with the first team.
STAR/NICKEL | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
Joenel Aguero | JaCorey Thomas | Kyron Jones/Collin Gill |
It would seem Aguero has the inside track to being the top nickel back, but this is a position that may draw some scrutiny early in the season.
SAFETY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Strong | Dan Jackson | Jake Pope | Justyn Rhett |
Free | Malaki Starks | KJ Bolden |
While there is talent in the safety group, the dismissal of David Daniel-Sisavanh has left a depth issue, which Kirby Smart expressed concern about in July. This means talented 5-star freshman KJ Bolden could be called upon quickly to step in and fortify this group. Georgia saw Starks make a big impact in his first games as a Bulldog, so perhaps Bolden will follow a similar path.
Youth and depth are the big concerns in the pass defense, both from the linebacker and secondary groups. With some of the nation's best quarterbacks taking aim at the Georgia pass defense, we'll know early on if this is indeed the Bulldogs' Achilles heel in 2024.
The first test of Georgia's pass defense will be against Clemson's Cade Klubnik, who recognizes his huge opportunity to silence his doubters and Clemson's in a key Week 1 matchup on the national stage.
“Georgia is an incredible opponent,” Cade Klubnik said. “Definitely a huge honor for us to be able to face such a great team like that in an opener. Coach spoke on it yesterday and said, ‘Hey, you know, there are teams all around the country that are working their butt off for 12 weeks straight to go play a team like this in the playoffs, right? We can start out with them in a regular-season game.’”
The Bulldogs will be tested early and often against Clemson, who now have an chance to stake their claim as the team to beat in the ACC following FSU's Week 1 loss to unranked Georgia Tech.