Georgia defense takes unanimous title as top squad in country

ESPN put out a list of its top 10 defenses in college football for the 2023 season earlier this week, and not too surprisingly, Georgia took the top spot. On a panel of 10 voters, the Bulldogs took all 10 first place votes.

“Defense has been Georgia’s calling card during the past two seasons that have resulted in back-to-back College Football Playoff national championships. Naturally, many will look to that side of the ball when trying to forecast the Bulldogs’ success for 2023, which is why people still have high expectations for their defense,” Harry Lyles Jr. wrote. “Despite losing key players to the NFL draft again this season in Jalen Carter, Kelee Ringo, Nolan Smith and Christopher Smith — as well as Bear Alexander to the transfer portal — Georgia’s defense is still stacked.”

Lyles is right, the Dawgs’ defense is loaded with talent, and as long as they’ve coached by Kirby Smart, the panel is right to have Georgia at or near the top of the list every year. With the way Smart and his staff have recruited that side of the ball signing multiple five-star defenders in four of the last five classes including three in 2023, it’s never going to be a rebuild for the Bulldogs. Rather, they just reload.

“The defensive line is anchored by veterans Zion Logue, Nazir Stackhouse, Tramel Walthour and Warren Brinson. Mykel Williams is coming off a minor foot surgery and will also be a big part of this group after leading the team in sacks last year. The Bulldogs are also hoping for development from the likes of Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and Christen Miller,” Lyles explained. “Outside on the second level, you have Chaz Chambliss with the most experience, and hopes that Marvin Jones Jr. gets healthy. Inside will be strong for Georgia, where Smael Mondon Jr. and Jamon Dumas-Johnson (who were No. 1 and No. 2 on Georgia in tackles last season) return. Jalon Walker will also be a key player among the group, having worked both inside and outside. The secondary is led by familiar faces in Javon Bullard, Malaki Starks (third in tackles) and Kamari Lassiter.”

“In total, you’ve got a defense that once again is expected to compete to be the best in the country,” he summarized. “And we didn’t even get to the Bulldogs’ highly rated recruits coming in this season. Given how Georgia has been recruiting, it’s hard not to see it this way not only this year, but for the foreseeable future.”

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ESPN rounds out the list with Michigan, Alabama, Penn State, Clemson, Iowa, Florida State, LSU, Texas A&M and Wisconsin. Others receiving votes included Illinois, Air Force, Utah, NC State, Kentucky, Ohio State and Oregon State.

With guys like Smael Mondon, Jamon Dumas-Johnson and Malaki Starks back – the team’s top three tacklers last season – Georgia doesn’t face quite the same challenge that it did last year having to replace eight draftees on the defensive side of the ball. Yes, Jalen Carter is gone and so too is Nolan Smith. However, Carter was banged up for much of the season last year while Smith missed the final seven games with a torn pectoral muscle.

Then there’s the likes of Chris Smith and Kelee Ringo in the secondary. Well, having Starks at safety helps as does the presence of Kamari Lassiter at corner and Javon Bullard wherever Georgia wants him – likely at safety to open the door for veteran Tykee Smith to step foot on the field more often. Meanwhile, in front of them, the front seven is strong too with 2022 sack leader Mykel Williams just a sophomore and a several veterans on the interior too.

Those guys mentioned aren’t the only ones that are going to contribute for Georgia in 2023, and that says something too. The Dawgs have depth. They’ve had it before and will have it again which will be helpful this fall and beyond to have some sort of a veteran presence each year as the Bulldogs continue to see guys come and go through the country’s top defensive squad.