Georgia 2023 Depth Chart: Final projection on defense

Georgia held its second and final scrimmage on Saturday, marking the official end of preseason camp. The Bulldogs will spend this week recovering and getting ready for some opponents down the road before they start preparing for game one. Multiple positions are still up for grabs, but DawgsHQ is going ahead with our plans to project the 2023 depth chart. We projected the offense on Monday and now we’re looking at the defense.

Defensive End

Mykel Williams / Tramel Walthour Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

Williams is healthy now and has had a really good preseason camp. With that said, don’t be shocked if Walthour gets a lot of starts. He’s a sixth-year senior and one of the best run defenders in the country from the defensive end position. Ingram-Dawkins should probably be considered a co-starter as well. He’s going to play across the line of scrimmage but has been battling a foot injury during camp. He should be able to play by the start of the season.

Defensive Tackle

Warren Brinson Christen Miller / Jonathan JeffersonJordan Hall

Georgia has had some guys emerge at this position. Brinson is a known commodity with a ton of experience. He also has a play-making element to his game and will likely be in there for passing situations at nose. Miller’s arrow has been pointing up since spring. He’s dinged up right now but it’s not serious per what we are told. Jefferson has really come on in his third season with the program. He’s going to be in the rotation and Hall, a true freshman, has done enough to get some burn as well.

Nose Guard

Nazir StackhouseZion LogueJamaal Jarrett

Stackhouse is the man in the middle but he can also play defensive tackle. Logue is the same way and he can even play some defensive end if needed. Jefferson, Brinson, and Hall can all slide inside to play some nose and we’re told that they have repped at the position. Jarrett might be the only guy in this group who isn’t quite ready, but we’ll see. He’s a massive human who might be able to give the Bulldogs some early-down presence as the year goes on.

Tony Walsh / UGA Sports Communications

Outside Linebacker

Chaz ChamblissDarris Smith / Marvin Jones Damon Wilson / C.J. Madden / Samuel M’Pemba / Gabriel Harris

If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it dozens of times — the depth chart doesn’t matter a ton at this position. Georgia is only going to have one EDGE on the field on early downs and Chambliss will be the primary guy. Jones is also capable of spelling him while pitching in on third down. Smith has his own role because he can rush the passer or play in space. Wilson and M’Pemba are probably going to get some third down looks while Madden and Harris are more early-down guys.

MONEY Linebacker

Jamon Dumas-JohnsonE.J. Lightsey / Jalon Walker / CJ AllenTerrell Foster

Dumas-Johnson is the quarterback of this defense and he’s going to run the show. With that said, we expect Lightsey, Walker, AND Allen to get plenty of time early in the year. That’s a talented trio of players who could start for a lot of teams in this league. Foster has had a great camp but he might have to find a role on special teams.

MAC Linebacker

Smael MondonXavian SoreyRaylen Wilson Troy Bowles

Georgia is simply loaded at inside linebacker. Mondon will begin the season on the shelf but he’s a difference-making baller when healthy. Sorey will take on the starting job in his place while the trio we mentioned at MOE will all have a chance to back him up. Wilson is dinged up right now and Bowles, who might help on special teams, isn’t quite ready to play a large number of snaps.

Georgia defensive back Julian Humphrey (12) during Georgia’s annual G-Day scrimmage on Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, April 15, 2023. (Tony Walsh/UGAAA)

Left Cornerback

Julian HumphreyDaylen Everette / Nyland GreenDaniel Harris / A.J. Harris / Chris Peal

Kudos to Humphrey for going from almost an afterthought this winter to the frontrunner for a starting job. He had a really good spring, a better summer, and an even better preseason camp. The speedster from Texas has some growing to do but he is going to get a lot of playing time. The same can be said for Green and Everette. Green is ahead right now and we’re probably going to see two of these three guys on the field together at some point. The staff is very excited about Daniel Harris and A.J. Harris, too. A.J. and Peal, however, are dinged up right now.

Strong Safety

Javon BullardDavid Daniel-Sisavanh / Dan JacksonJustyn Rhett

Bullard has locked down the strong safety spot per our intel with a really good preseason. Georgia is excited about his potential at this position. Daniel-Sisavahn is dinged up for the moment but has also had a really nice camp. Jackson has finally gotten healthy after foot surgery and a hamstring injury. Rhett has also turned some heads during the preseason but he’s still trying to catch up with guys who have played more snaps.

Free Safety

Malaki StarksJaCorey Thomas / Dan JacksonKyron Jones

We know who’ll be playing free safety for Georgia and we’re expecting big things in year two. Starks is a tremendous talent and he has a chance to be a big-time difference maker. Thomas has turned it on this spring and provides much-needed depth. Folks close to the program are fired up about Jones, who is extremely fast and possesses a menacing frame.

Dec 3, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Kamari Lassiter (3) breaks up a pass against LSU Tigers wide receiver Kyren Lacy (2) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Right Cornerback

Kamari LassiterDaylen Everette / Nyland GreenDaniel Harris / A.J. Harris / Chris Peal

Lassiter has been battling a foot injury this spring but we think he’ll be ready to roll to start the season. Still, we suspect the Georgia staff will have him on a snap count in the first two games, allowing Everette and Green plenty of opportunities to play.

STAR

Tykee SmithJoenel AgueroKyron Jones

Smith will be the STAR to start the season but he’s going to have to play well and keep improving to hold it down. Aguero is banged up for now but he is a tremendous talent and a really good fit for this spot. More than one person close to the program believes that, if he can stay healthy, he’ll eventually win out. Per our sources, Jones worked at STAR in Saturday’s scrimmage with Aguero out.

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