Nolan Smith reveals Georgia players ready for breakout season

Former Georgia star Nolan Smith named the next breakout players for the Bulldogs this coming season: Smael Mondon and Jamon Dumas-Johnson.

Both linebackers should wreak havoc on opposing offenses this year. Smith is very confident in them and so much so, he doesn’t even refer to them by name. He made the revelation on the Green Light Podcast with Chris Long.

“I’ll say Smael Mondon and (Jamon Dumas-Johnson),” Smith said. “I call them ‘10’ and ‘2’ so like in the south, we call each other by our numbers. Everyone knows me as ‘4.’ People don’t even know me in the organization as Nolan. (Now), I’m ‘3.’”

Mondon and Dumas-Johnson go hand-in-hand. Last year, Monday played in 13 games for the national champions. He finished the year with 76 total tackles, 49 solo tackles, eight tackles for loss, one sack, one interception and one pass deflection.

As a member of the Class of 2021, Mondon was a five-star recruit out of Dallas (Ga.) Paulding County, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 3 overall prospect in the state, the No. 2 linebacker in the class and the No. 27 overall prospect in the class.

Compared to Mondon, Dumas-Johnson played in all 15 games last season and had 70 tackles, 45 solo tackles, four sacks, three pass deflections and one forced fumble.

As a member of the Class of 2021, Dumas-Johnson was a four-star recruit out of Baltimore (M.D.) St. Frances Academy, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 12 overall prospect in the state, the No. 29 linebacker in the class and the No. 240 overall prospect in the class.

Kirby Smart updates progression of Smael Mondon, Jamon Dumas-Johnson

Dumas-Johnson and Mondon are entering their third season with the Bulldogs after impressing in their increased roles as sophomores last year. And during the Bulldogs’ spring practices, head coach Kirby Smart spoke about their progression.

“He and Smael, I think they started out the spring not knowing really. Like okay, I’m in a curious position, last spring I got a chip on my shoulder. Nobody know who I am, everybody’s questioning us, I’m the new leader, and they’re out there hungry. Just eating off the floor,” Smart said in May.

“And they had good seasons, both of them did in their own right. Smael played really well and Smael had a great offseason in terms of lifting weights and working and Smael’s come on, he’s played really good.”