Apr 16, 2020
2020 Depth Charts, Part 2
If you didn’t yet, check out my breakdown of the offensive depth charts from a couple days ago. Today I’m going to look at the defensive depth charts of what will arguably be the best defense in Georgia history.
DEFENSIVE LINE
This position is tricky, since ostensibly we run a 3–4 front on our defense. However, we are usually run more of a 4–2–5 style defense with the proliferation of the passing in the college game. In a normal 3 person DL, it’s two ends and a Nose Tackle eating up space while the linebackers make the plays. Last year you could see David Marshall and Malik Herring line up on the end, while Jordan Davis plays the nose. In the four person line it means Herring on one side, a Tyler Clark, a Travon Walker, and Azeez Ojulari dropping down to be the other end.
I don’t know enough about football to break this down too deeply. Malik Herring came back for his senior year and will be on the field the majority of the game. Jordan Davis will also be on the field quite a bit. Tyler Clark leaving allows Devonte Wyatt more snaps, or a newcomer like Jalen Carter an ability to come in and make an instant impact. Travon Walker will play plenty of snaps.
It’s the depth that is unproven with this unit. We will need the Tennessee 3 (Zion Logue, Tymon Mitchell, and Bill Norton) to step up and contribute. Julian Rochester came back for a redshirt senior season and this will be his last opportunity to do something memorable. Tramel Walthour should also be ready to come in and get in the rotation. Warren Brinson and Nazir Stackhouse probably will only get on the field in learning time.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS
Monty Rice has a spot. Nakobe Dean, Quay Walker, and Channing Tindall will duke it out for the other. My money is on Dean. Those four should split the duties. Rian Davis and Trezman Marshall are a couple of 2019 recruits who should push for time.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
An embarrassment of riches at the position. Azeez Ojulari will play a bunch. I envision him being a team captain and leaving after this year. Jermaine Johnson and Nolan Smith both played frequently last year. Adam Anderson has the size and skills but hasn’t unlocked his full potential. Hopefully this could be the year. Robert Beal and Walter Grant also provide quality depth. Those two would start for plenty of SEC teams. Mekhail Sherman will arrive this summer and at least play special teams.
The three man rotation will likely be Ojulari, JJ, and Nolan with Adam Anderson fighting to get on the field.
CORNERBACKS
Eric Stokes, Tyson Campbell, and DJ Daniel pretty much have this position on lockdown. Gun to my head I’d pick Stokes and Campbell. Daniel will see time. Plenty of names dot the roster of guys who play the position, but these dudes are the main three. Then Kelee Ringo and Daran Branch show up this summer.
NICKELBACKS
In our defense the fifth DB plays a ton. Mark Webb and Ty Stevenson will play the most. Divaad Wilson will also have something to say about who plays the position too. Look for Stevenson and Wilson to cross-train at the safety position as the depth there is thin.
SAFETY
Richard LeCounte III and Lewis Cine. The end. We need depth though. Major Burns enrolled early, and we may need him to play. I could see Wilson get some snaps here as well. We have a bunch of quality players who just don’t get on the field.
Front line is the elite of the elite. Depth is good enough to start for other teams in the conference. Now I’m just hoping we get to see it.
