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Robert Beal: Last season's forgotten sack-leader back in business in 2022

Palmber-Thombsby:Palmer Thombs•05/22/22•

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Tony Walsh/UGA Sports Communications

Robert Beal might be the least remembered sack leader in Georgia history. The Duluth, Ga. native finished the 2021 season with a team-high 6.5 quarterback sacks for the Bulldogs’ defense as it led the way to the program’s first National Championship in over four decades. Back for his super-senior season in 2022, one might wonder, why was Robert Beal so forgotten?

You can see the highlights above. They are pretty impressive. Put simply, Beal was forgotten about because he was overshadowed by other flashier defenders.

Jordan Davis was a behemoth of a human being at 6-foot-6, 340 pounds. Travon Walker had the uncommon pairing of the size of a defensive lineman with the athletic ability of a linebacker. Devonte Wyatt and Jalen Carter, a first round pick in this year’s draft and a likely one in next year’s, were even overlooked and often forgotten about on the defensive line. Then of course there were the linebackers – Nakobe Dean, Channing Tindall and Quay Walker – who made plays all over the field. How could you expect Beal to stand out from the rest when that was his competition?

Beal wasn’t even the most outstanding player within his own position group. Nolan Smith, a former No. 1-ranked recruit, got most of the glamour and attention. Beal simply went about his business and got the job done.

That’s exactly what he’s doing this offseason too. Beal is putting in the work to once again be near the top of the Bulldogs leaderboard when it comes to taking down the quarterback.

Smith is back at outside linebacker, sharing the room with Beal. Carter returns on the defensive line. Kelee Ringo will man the secondary with eyes on him as one of the best cornerbacks in the country. That means that Beal could still be overlooked. But I’ve got a feeling that won’t bother him one bit. Just as he did last season and as he’s doing this offseason, expect Beal to quietly go about his business, making an impact on the Georgia defense as he does so.

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