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Basically ... The defense was unbelievable considering all the injuries and newcomers. The Dawgs gave up 277 yards and 14.5 points per game, and should be just as good this season. The defensive line will be among the best in the nation, while the back seven can flat out fly with big-time speed and athleticism at every position.
Star of the defense: Senior DE David Pollack
Player that has to step up and become a star: Junior LB Derrick White
Unsung star on the rise: Junior rover Greg Blue
Best pro prospect: Pollack
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Pollack, 2) FS Thomas Davis, 3) LB Odell Thurman
Strength of the defense: Defensive line
Weakness of the defense: Depth at tackle
Defensive Line
Projected Starters
- Defensive end Will Thompson, Sr. - After missing all of last year with a broken ankle, Thompson returns to his home on the line as one of the SEC's best pass rushers. With all attention paid to David Pollack, Thompson will be a tar once again. He's a tough player who's also strong against the run.
- Defensive tackle Kedric Golston, Jr. - Golston had a pin taken out of his leg last spring and had a broken scapula midway through the season, but he still played in eight games making 17 tackles. He showed flashes of greatness and should be a superstar if he can stay healthy for a whole season.
- Nose tackle Gerald Anderson, Jr. - The 318-pound junior became a top run stopper in the middle making 55 tackles. Names the team's most improved defensive player, Anderson should be in the mix for All-SEC honors if he can take another step up from the job he did last year.
- Defensive end David Pollack, Sr. - Pollack's return makes a good line sensational. He lived a little bit on name recognition over the first three quarters of last year not playing as well at a bigger weight and with the lack of a supporting cast to take the heat off, but he started to dominate again by the end of the season. He finished fourth on the team with 92 tackles, 32 quarterback pressures and 7.5 sacks. Lighter now, he seems to have regained all his quickness.
Projected Reserves
- DT Ray Gant, Soph. - He's a smallish tackle at 268 pounds, but he'll be the first man in the rotation playing behind Kendric Golston. He's tremendously quick and the best pass rushing tackle on the team making 11 quarterback hurries.
- DE Quentin Moses, Soph. - Moses was a big-time reserve last year and a freshman All-American. He's quick and active making 37 tackles and 3.5 sacks.
The Skinny: The line overcame personnel losses and injuries to be one of the most effective in the SEC. It'll be even better this year with the return of Will Thompson on the end to wreak havoc with everyone trying to block David Pollack. The reserves could stand to be a little stronger, but they'll come around.
Player to keep an eye on: Quentin Moses ... Defensive Line Rating: 9.5
Linebackers
Projected Starters
- Arnold Harrison, Sr. - Harrison grew into the strongside role last year making 45 tackles starting in eight games. He spent years learning as a reserve, and now he has the experience to go along with his quickness and athleticism. He's also decent in pass coverage returning an interception 99 yards for a touchdown.
- Odell Thurman, Jr. - Thurman was a superstar last year finishing third on the team with 121 tackles and leading the way with 18.5 tackles for loss. He's a big hitting form tackler with the speed to hang with running backs on pass plays and quickness to get in the backfield on a consistent basis once he comes back from suspension. Derrick White will start the season in the middle..
- Derrick White, Jr. - White will start the season in the middle for a suspended Odell Thurman, and then he'll most likely move to a starting role on the weakside. He can play in the middle as well making 37 tackles and a sack last year. On the plus side, he's a little bit bigger than Taylor, though not as fast.
- Danny Verdun Wheeler, Soph. - A key reserve, he started two games as a true freshman and making 14 tackles. He's a good sized defender with good range starting on the weakside until Odell Thurman returns and Derrick White returns to the outside.
Projected Backups
- Jarvis Jackson, Soph. - Jackson isn't all that big, but he has some big-time speed and is a fantastic special teams player. He made 19 tackles last year and will be a 208-pound backup in the middle.
- Tony Taylor, Jr.- Taylor was a solid starter on the weakside making 82 tackles and four tackles for loss, but he tore up his knee in the spring game and will be out for the year.
The Skinny: The linebacking corps played better than anyone could've ever expected considering the personnel losses from the SEC Championship team. The loss of Tony Taylor in the spring game set things back a little bit, but there's still Odell Thurman and Arnold Harrison to count on. There's no reason to expect an overall dropoff in production.
Player to keep an eye on: Danny Verdun Wheeler ... Linebacker Rating: 8
Secondary
Projected Starters
- Cornerback DeMario Minter, Jr. - Minter started off last season as a safety before moving to corner. He'll get the starting gig this year after being a key reserve for the last two seasons with 35 total tackles. He's lightning fast and should be an instant star against fast receivers.
- Rover Greg Blue, Jr. - Blue is a big, intimidating hitter when he can stay healthy. Banged up each of the last two seasons, he was still able to make 84 tackles and break up four passes. It's asking a lot for him to be Sean Jones, but he has the potential to make 100 tackles if he can make it through the whole season.
- Free safety Thomas Davis, Jr. - Davis was unbelievable last season leading the Bulldogs with 138 tackles. Part linebacker, part free safety, he's deadly at getting into the backfield with seven sacks, 12 tackles for loss and 23 quarterback pressure over the last two seasons. With cornerback speed and linebacker hitting ability, he'll be on the short list for All-America honors.
- Cornerback Tim Jennings, Jr. - Jennings became a key player last year taking over the starting role when Decory Bryant went down finishing the year with 45 tackles and 11 broken up passes. He was picked on, and he came through in a big way.
Projected Backups
- CB Mike Gilliam, Jr. - The third corner in the mix, the former running back made eight tackles as a reserve last year and ran for 29 yards in 2001. He's a hard worker and a good backup considering his 5-7 size.
- Rover Tra Battle, Soph. - Battle saw a wee bit of time as a true freshman and will be counted on for his speed as a backup. He's not big and not a huge tackler using his wheels to be a factor.
The Skinny: Things should be fine even after losing Sean Jones, Bruce Thornton and Decory Bryant. Thomas Davis will be among the best safeties in the country, while Greg Blue has the potential to be a star. The corners have ridiculous speed.
Player to keep an eye on: Greg Blue ... Secondary Rating: 8
Special Teams
Projected Starters:
- Placekicker Andy Bailey, RFr. - Bailey has a big leg and good potential, but it's asking a lot for him to be the clutch kicker Billy Bennett was. All Bennett did was become Georgia's all-time scoring leader, and Bailey has to prove he can be consistent.
- Punter Gordon Ely-Kelso, Soph. - He has a huge leg and put 20 inside he 20, but he had an average freshman year averaging an inconsistent 39 yards per kick.
The Skinny: The Bulldogs were shockingly horrible at kickoff returns averaging a mere 18.4 yards per return. They were great at returning punts averaging ten yards thanks to all-time leading punt returner Damien Gary. Now several players will be auditioning for the role with Tyson Browning and Tim Jennings getting a shot. The kicking game is a major question mark.
Special Teams Rating: 5.5
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