David Daniel-Sisavanh prepared to step in as starter if called upon
ATHENS, Ga. — Top-ranked Georgia could be without All-American defensive back Javon Bullard at safety this Saturday when it opens SEC play against South Carolina. With Bullard battling a sprained ankle he suffered last Saturday, David Daniel-Sisavanh is the next man up in all likelihood.
Many Georgia fans probably have questions about what the third-year player out of Woodstock, Ga. offers. After all, if he is called upon it’d be his first career start. But fear not Bulldogs because Kirby Smart and Daniel-Sisavanh’s teammates are confident in what he brings to the table.
“Very instinctive. He’s got good speed,” Smart said. “For two years now he’s come in in situational football. DIME he’s played. Third down he’s played. Late in games he’s played and played well. He’s had some really good hits. He had a hit against Oregon last year that was a really good hit. He had a hit against South Carolina late in the game. He’s shown up and played when we’ve asked him to. He’s played on special teams. He’s a product of the development and growth, intelligence and persistence.”
“David, he’s a hard worker. He’s somebody who, you know, comes in day in and day out and tries to do his absolute best and whatever he can for the team,” Georgia cornerback Kamari Lassiter added. “He comes in and he brings in that hard-hitting ability. He calls himself ‘Hit Man,’ so he brings that with him as well.”
Being the Hit Man is certainly something that’ll be key to replacing Bullard’s play for the time being. Bullard is known for his physicality, and clearly that’s the case for Daniel-Sisavanh too.
As for the experience, there is no comparison. Bullard has 12 career starts under his belt and played an important role for Georgia in key moments last season. Meanwhile, this would be Daniel-Sisavanh’s first career start.
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The No. 126 overall recruit in the Class of 2021, and No. 7 safety, Daniel-Sisavanh has had some opportunities to play though. As Smart pointed out, several games have gotten out of hand, creating opportunities for him to get in. In 25 career games, Daniel-Sisavanh had 22 tackles including a pair for loss last season. He also has two pass breakups including one last Saturday in his season debut.
There’s no doubt that this would be the biggest moment of Daniel-Sisavanh’s career though. Starting in the SEC opener against a former five-star quarterback in Spencer Rattler and a passing game that has both Xavier Legette, who’s gone for over 115 yards in each of the first two games, and Antwane Wells who had four games of over 100 yards last season, finishing top five in the SEC in receiving, the pressure certainly is on for Daniel-Sisavanh to show up.
Of course, Bullard hasn’t been ruled out yet. Georgia is hopeful that he’ll be able to go – although his status likely leans towards him being sidelined. Either way though, expect Daniel-Sisavanh to be counted on in ways he hasn’t been before to this point in his career.
Kickoff time between the Bulldogs and Gamecocks is set for 3:30 p.m. ET from Sanford Stadium, airing on CBS as the SEC Game of the Week.
