FanSided college football writer Josh Yourish knows that Georgia’s roster is practically flawless, but he suspects that Kirby Smart may rearrange the depth chart at these two critical defensive positions.
Describing any deficiencies in the Georgia Bulldogs roster is a challenging task. Despite their remarkable 29-game winning streak, which came to an end with a loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship game, it is undeniable that Georgia stands out as one of the top teams in college football. The Dawgs are not only considered among the four best teams in 2023, but they are also expected to secure a position in the 2024 College Football Playoff, ranking among the top 12 teams.
Nevertheless, Coach Kirby Smart has acknowledged the need for improvements in certain positions during the offseason. Striving for perfection is essential when a national championship is the ultimate goal. Making adjustments to the depth chart could bring Georgia closer to achieving that perfection.
Outlined below are two players whom I have identified as potential weak points in Georgia’s otherwise formidable lineup.
The Bulldogs have not been immune to the ongoing trend of roster changes in college football. In the current offseason, they experienced a significant turnover with 20 players departing through transfers, while only six new additions have joined the team in Athens. Despite this, Kirby Smart doesn’t heavily rely on the transfer portal, having already secured the top-ranked high school class in the country. There is optimism that some of these talented young players could make an immediate impact, contributing to one of the nation’s premier teams.
DL Nazir Stackhouse 78 | Senior
In the SEC Championship, Georgia faced a setback in the battle at the line of scrimmage against a formidable Alabama offensive line and a quarterback possessing the agility of a running back combined with the physique of a linebacker. Despite limiting the Crimson Tide to just 114 rushing yards, this defeat underscored the fine line between an undefeated national champion and a team with a lone loss, ultimately earning a spot in the Orange Bowl.
During the 2022 season, the Georgia defense, led by Jalen Carter, allowed a mere 77.1 rushing yards per game. However, the 2023 iteration lacked a dominant standout on the defensive line that struck fear into opponents nationwide. While the passing defense saw improvement, climbing from 54th to ninth, the run defense slipped from first to 20th, conceding an average of 113.6 rushing yards per game.
Despite being an elite defense with the potential to win championships, the Crimson Tide exposed a vulnerability. Nazir Stackhouse, who led Georgia defensive linemen in snaps with 409, struggled to consistently disrupt opposing offenses, managing only two quarterback pressures and 24 tackles. Although both pressures resulted in sacks, Stackhouse fell short of being a constant force in the middle of the defensive line.
Opting to return for his fifth year at Georgia, Stackhouse’s decision may stem from limited interest from the NFL. To bolster the team’s front line, the Bulldogs may consider redistributing playing time, potentially reducing Stackhouse’s involvement in favor of untested talent like Jordan Hall. As Hall enters his true sophomore season, he demonstrated promise with eight pressures in his 177 snaps last year.
LB Jalon Walker 11 | Junior
One of Kirby Smart’s notable decisions this offseason wasn’t acquiring a player through the transfer portal but rather persuading Smael Mondon Jr. to postpone entering the NFL draft for another season.
Georgia experienced a considerable exodus of talent, with 20 outgoing transfers, a common occurrence for a program brimming with skill at every position. The unexpected twist, however, was that three of these transfers involved linebackers, and two of them were starters. Jamon Dumas-Johnson moved to Kentucky, Xavian Sorey transferred to Arkansas, and EJ Lightsey joined Georgia Tech.
These moves, particularly the departures at a pivotal position, revealed Georgia’s commitment to maintaining a youthful presence in the linebacker corps, likely resulting in reduced playing time for key player Walker. Mondon assumes the role of the experienced leader, surrounded by a talented group of freshmen and sophomores.
In the previous season, Smart and defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann granted CJ Allen and Raylen Wilson 390 and 177 snaps, respectively, to showcase their abilities in their inaugural collegiate season. Meanwhile, Walker accumulated 244 snaps, primarily as an outside linebacker.
It seems prudent to further decrease Walker’s playing time. If Smart is inclined towards a youth-oriented strategy for the position, placing more trust in Allen, Wilson, and five-star freshman Justin Williams, a standout from Georgia’s top-ranked recruiting class, would align with this approach.
While Mondon serves as the guiding veteran for the emerging talents, the Georgia defense exhibits enough strength to withstand potential errors from a developing linebacking corps, provided they are prepared to deliver their best performance during the College Football Playoff.
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