Georgia Bulldogs Countdown to Kickoff: Day 17
We’re 17 days away from the start of the season for the Georgia Bulldogs, and I think we can all admit that while Dan Jackson and Jackson Meeks will carry it on well, there will be a huge hole in the middle of the defense where the 17 used to reside.
That’s because Nakobe Dean was the one to carry the number for the Bulldogs for three years, and he left a legacy that others will be hard pressed to fill in his wake.
A Mechanical Engineering major (don’t hear that one every day), Dean came to Athens from Horn Lake, Mississippi and was one of Georgia’s biggest recruiting wins in the Class of 2019.
The Crimson Tide put the screws to him, as well, but then defensive coordinator Dan Lanning’s connections in the north Mississippi/Memphis area were crucial in assuring that the Dawgs landed the five-star linebacker and No. 30 overall player in the class.
And man, are they glad they did.
Dean was one hell of a football player for the Bulldogs, which we’ll certainly touch on, but perhaps first and foremost, we should acknowledge what a representative he was for the red and black.
In his senior season, he was named a captain for the 2021 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, a clear mark of his dedication to service well beyond the field.
He was a recipient of the Ramsey Scholarship for Academic and Athletic Excellence.
The National Football Association named him to their ‘Team of Distinction’ for his work on the field, in academics, and in service to the community.
A better representative you likely could not find.
And for as bright and charismatic as he was off the field, he was equally violent and talented when the pads came on.
Over his career, he would total 168 tackles with the Bulldogs, 13.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 10 defended passes, two interceptions, and three forced fumbles in his 39 career games.
In his final year in Athens, Dean would make key contributions in big games, including two sacks against Clemson in the season opener and five quarterback pressures against Michigan in the Orange Bowl.
And for me, I’ll never forget him taking charge and tearing into Channing Tindall for being out of position during the National Championship game. He was fiery leader.
Injury concerns caused the Butkus Award Winner and First Team All-American to drop to the Philadelphia Eagle in the third round, reuniting him with big Jordan Davis.
The two are already reminding people of what they are capable of.
A permanent team captain for the 2021 squad, it’s safe to say there are big shoes to fill for the 17 now, but that’s because Nakobe Dean was a Damn Great Georgia Dawg.
