Depth Chart Deep Dive: Georgia safeties

Spring is over, the transfer portal is closed, and we now know a whole lot more about what the Georgia roster will look like in 2023. The Bulldogs wrapped up a successful spring camp nearly a month ago and it’s time to really dig in on what Kirby Smart‘s eighth UGA team will look like.

So we’re ready to take a good, long — like very long, look at the Georgia depth chart. We’re rolling out a series that takes an in-depth look at each position. It’s time to wrap up the series with a look at the safety position.

Spring synopsis…

Christopher Smith was out of eligibility at the end of the 2022 season and that left a big void at strong safety. Malaki Starks, however, returned at free safety. He held strong in that spot all spring and brings a serious play-making element to that spot.

DawgsHQ told folks going into the spring that Javon Bullard was going to get a look and that happened. After a breakout season at STAR, Bullard worked with the ones for most of spring drills and got the start at strong safety in the G-Day game.

When Bullard wasn’t with the ones this spring, it was David Daniel-Sisavahn. Dan Jackson, a walk-on who has started at the position in the past, was still on the shelf with a foot injury and JaCorey Thomas got a couple of looks as well.

Projected starter…

The Bullard move to safety doesn’t feel temporary or experimental. He told reporters after the G-Day game that the staff approached him about a position change. It certainly seems like the job belongs to him so long as he’s healthy.

The next man up will probably be Jackson, who has a ton of experience. Jackson was playing some of his best ball early last season before getting hurt. He had picked off the first pass of his career against South Carolina.

Daniel-Sisavahn got some valuable experience in 2022 as well. When Jackson went down, Georgia turned to Daniel-Sisavahn as the sixth defensive back in the Bulldogs’ DIME package.

Other than injury, what can change?

The developments at STAR could throw a wrench into this thing. If Tykee Smith struggles and Joenel Aguero isn’t ready, Bullard is going to have to move back. That would thrust Jackson into a starting role at the strong safety position.

Otherwise, it’s going to be hard to get Starks or Bullard off the field. What happens in six-defensive back packages is the most intriguing here. Who is going to step in? Jackson and Daniel-Sisavahn are options but can one of the cornerbacks make a move? That’ll be interesting to follow.

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