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Nolan Smith knows standard of Georgia defense, not expecting drop off

Palmber-Thombsby:Palmer Thombs•08/29/22•

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Georgia outside linebacker Nolan Smith (4) during Georgia’s practice session in Athens, Ga., on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022. (Photo by Tony Walsh)

Nolan Smith grew up watching Georgia Football as a native of Savannah, Ga. The Bulldogs were his team, and the player he remembers most was Jarvis Jones. That’s because to him, Georgia Football has always been defined by its defense. And according to Smith, the only thing changing this year is the names and numbers, not the play on the field.

“Different numbers. Different people in different spots,” Smith said when asked if the defense will look any different this season as opposed to last year’s unit.

“I’ve been a Georgia fan all my life, and that’s one thing that’s always been great around here: Georgia defense. So I’m not worried about a drop off,” he added. “Again, like Coach Smart said, there’s a standard. Just because we had a lot of guys leave last year, there’s a standard of Georgia defense and that we play at a high level … Since I was a little boy watching Jarvis Jones playing, it’s always been a high level at which Georgia’s defense played. People came to see Georgia defense. Offense sells tickets. Defense wins games. That’s the ultimate reason why I came here. I want to play for a great defense that’s known all over.”

Smith isn’t naive enough to ignore the fact that there is change though. With 15 players drafted into the NFL including eight on the defensive side of the football and five of those being first rounders, players that were backups are now elevated into starting spots. Guys that were out of the picture entirely this time last year are being forced to factor in this year. With that comes some learning that’s required, and that’s okay in Smith’s eyes.

“The only difference is, guys are still trying to figure things out,” Smith said. “We still do have a lot of young players, but we have a lot of older guys that are telling them, ‘You can lean on me, come to me and ask questions.’ They just have certain questions because they haven’t been there or seen those things. It’s not even the physical side of them not being capable, it’s just that they have questions and are still learning.”

“It’s typical,” he continued. “High school football, they’re not doing ‘Husky,’ they’re not doing ‘Trojan,’ they’re not doing unbalanced. It’s just learning those little things. They’re picking it up really quick, and they’re being really attentive, showing up to extra meetings and stuff like that.”

That learning could have to happen on the fly this Saturday when No. 3 Georgia takes on No. 11 Oregon. The Ducks, led by former Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning who’s in his first year as a head coach in Eugene, bring to the table an experience offensive line, a transfer quarterback and tons and tons of knowledge about the Dawgs’ defense. Kickoff on Saturday is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

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