Nolan Smith shares nickname, expectations for Georgia LB duo

Several Georgia Bulldogs said this past week in Indianapolis that they believe their former team can win a third straight National Championship in 2023. If that happens, there’s a strong possibility that Jamon Dumas-Johnson and Smael Mondon have played a big part in the success of the Bulldogs on defense.

Right there in the middle of the it all at inside linebacker, teammates have praised their leadership and ability. Mondon finished first on the team in tackles this past season with 76 stops including 8.0 tackles for loss, second on the team, while Dumas-Johnson swapped spots with him on the team leadership with 70 tackles, second-best among the Bulldogs, including 9.0 tackles for loss, tops on the team.

Playing alongside them for the first half of the season was Nolan Smith. A veteran of the Georgia Football program, Smith has seen what great linebacker play looks like. He was a commit during the 2017 season when Roquan Smith won the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker. Once on campus, he played next to the likes of Tae Crowder and Monty Rice, both of whom were taken in the NFL Draft. Then, in 2021 on Georgia’s generational defense, Smith saw first hand what the top linebacker in the country looked like playing beside Nakobe Dean while Quay Walker and Channing Tindall were also picked in the first three rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft. All that being said, he has belief in Dumas-Johnson and Mondon to get it done for Georgia once again in 2023.

“10 and 2, that’s what I call them, like 10 and 2 on the handle. 10 and 2 are going to take it, Smael Mondon and Pop (Jamon Dumas-Johnson),” Smith said when asked about who he expects to step up next season for Georgia. “Those guys are going to be the juice guys. They’re going to get us to the next level. They’re going to get us lined up. Coach Schumann back another year, I’m so excited. That defense is rolling.”

“I saw Coach Monken earlier, man, I love Coach Monken to death. He’s a great play caller. I wish he would have stayed, but people have got greater callings in life. That’s what he decided to do,” he continued. “Coach Bobo’s going to do an amazing job. Now you’ve got me on my spiel about Georgia, man. I can’t wait. I’m excited to see those boys play. I’m going to be at the first game on the sideline. I’m not going to have the same role. I’m probably going to be in some jeans, laid back. I think 10 and 2 will really take that over.”

Smith wasn’t the only Georgia player with high hopes for the Bulldogs next season though. Defensive back Christopher Smith thinks the safeties are in great hands. Offensive linemen Broderick Jones and Warren McClendon believe in Earnest Greene as the next great one on the offensive line. Fellow linebacker Robert Beal even gave his spiel on what the future looks like.

“Really it’s going to be the same, honestly,” Beal said. “The young guy, they’re really starters. Second string guys, they’re good enough to play. There’s not really going to be much of a drop-off. If anything, it’s going to better.”

“Chaz Chambliss, Marvin Jones, those guys will take off,” he continued. “I feel like all those guys really got playing time. Our room was really solid before we left. I feel like all those guys will get developed during spring, fall camp, and I feel like they’re going to start and definitely get playing time. They’ll have a role at the University of Georgia.”

Jones won’t be suiting up this spring after an offseason surgery to repair a torn labrum, but for the rest of them, the start of spring practice is just over a week away. The Bulldogs will get things going on March 14th with the first of 15 practice sessions including three scrimmages, all culminating with the G-Day spring game on April 15th at Sanford Stadium.