Georgia Bulldogs 23 for '23: No. 4 Javon Bullard
SEC Media Days are completely behind us, and with that the focus is very quickly turning to the football field. Georgia fall camp begins in less than two weeks, and we’re counting down the days with out look at who the most important Bulldogs might be.
As we’ve stated before, important can have different definitions. Some players’ importance for this season is based on their past performance and ability to repeat that this fall. For others, it’s about their potential and what living up to it would mean for Georgia and its chances at winning a third straight National Championship. Now into the top five, coming in at No. 4 on our list of most important Bulldogs, defensive back Javon Bullard.
Javon Bullard
Position: Defensive Back
Class: Junior
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 180 pounds
Hometown (High School): Milledgeville, Ga. (Baldwin)
Georgia’s Javon Bullard ended last season as strong as anybody could imagine. With two interceptions and a fumble recovery in the National Championship Game, Bullard earned his second straight Defensive MVP in the College Football Playoffs.
Bullard, who finished fifth on the team in tackles with 46 stops including a couple of sacks, also had impressive games against Tennessee and Florida. This year though, Georgia is going to be looking for even more consistency out of him.
Bullard made the move to safety this spring. There he’s tasked with replacing an All-American in Christopher Smith alongside Freshman All-American Malaki Starks. It’s a move that he seemed to make seamlessly and be excited about. It’s also one that should go well.
In doing so, Bullard opens the door for others to play in the secondary. A veteran Tykee Smith is settled in at STAR over a year removed from his ACL injury. There’s also freshman Joenel Aguero that has made some noise. So, Bullard’s flexibility is important, and helps make replacing an All-American easier. In the process, he’s also an All-American caliber himself capable of doing extraordinary things.
Know the Quote
“Javon is a guy that’s had a chip on his shoulder,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said about Bullard at SEC Media Days. “He was another not highly recruited guy. He loves football, and he embraces a selfless role. He came in during the COVID class, so there’s another evidence of a guy like Kamari (Lassiter) and a guy like Brock Bowers that bought into the team concept. He loves it He loves to eat off the floor. He likes that saying. He’s a hard worker that overcomes a lot. A lot of people didn’t have high accolades on him, but we liked the intrinsic character in him, and it’s paid off because he’s a tough, physical leader on our team.”
Click here to find the complete rundown of our 23 for ’23 series
