Young LB engineers a path to lead UGA

Freshman Nakobe Dean works on evolving into leader on, off field.

ATHENS — The Georgia Bulldogs will arrive this afternoon at Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans. At this point, it’s unclear who might get off that plane and/or be available to play in the Sugar Bowl.

One player who certainly will be among the Bulldogs ready for action is Nakobe Dean. The freshman linebacker was an increasing presence on Georgia’s defense as the season progressed. He went from hobbled rookie to a passdown specialist to an almost-every-down defender.

As a backup to junior inside linebacker Monty Rice, opportunities have been limited. But the 5-star recruit from Horn Lake, Mississippi, knew that 2019 for him would be a year of growth.

“I definitely developed more as a player and as a person,” Dean said after the SEC Championship game. “On the field, I feel like I’ve gotten better in my coverage. I didn’t have to do that much in high school. As a person, I’ve learned a lot both on and off the field, especially about time management and how to manage my social life and football life.”

Georgia fans might recall that Dean is majoring in engineering, one of UGA’s more challenging academic disciplines. Add that

to the regular rigors and difficulties of transitioning to the college football life, and Dean’s toils are understandable.

“Yeah, it’s been as hard I expected,” Dean said. “But just having to go through it and trying to be dedicated to it and keep working through it, so far, so good.”

By most measures, this has been a good freshman season. Dean has played in all 13 games so far and has recorded 23 tackles, 12 of them solo. He had two pass breakups — including a big one in the SEC Championship game — as well as a tackle for loss and four quarterback pressures.

Dean’s season got off to a slow start because of a high-ankle sprain. He said he wasn’t completely recovered from that until the fifth or sixth game.

Dean has become a regular part of Georgia’s pass-defending packages. He often played on passing downs and was asked to cover a back out of the backfield or a tight end. He usually would sub for senior Tae Crowder at weakside linebacker while Rice stayed on the field and made the defensive calls.

That’s a role Dean eventually will fill. Rice is a junior, but it’s not yet known whether he intends to return for his senior season. Rice leads the Bulldogs with 84 tackles this season.

Dean has been taking mental notes for whenever that transition occurs. He has seen how Rice leads, both by his preparation in team meetings and the film room and on-field efforts and vocal leadership.

The 5-foot-11, 220-pound Dean probably is the fastest of the linebacker group, but it’s in those intangible areas where he seeks to improve most.

“I came in as more of a quiet guy, so I just wanted to feel my way through things,” Dean said. “But as time went by and the season went on, I started to talk more and build my leadership role. … So, I do plan on being more of a vocal leader, and also lead by example.”

Baylor passes the ball less than half the time (45.2%), but passing accounts for 59.5% of its offensive production.

The Bulldogs’ defense was shredded in its most recent outing, giving up 481 total yards and 349 passing in a 37-10 loss to LSU in the SEC Championship game. That is, of course, one of the better offenses in SEC history, piloted by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Joe Burrow.

But Georgia’s defense continues to lead the SEC and ranks No. 4 in the nation in total defense (274.2 yards per game).

The Bulldogs, Dean said, head to New Orleans still motivated and confident.

“I feel like if we continue to practice the way we do, don’t slack off and try to attack the way we always do, we’ll be good,” Dean said. “I know this team is going to attack practice the way we always do, 100 percent.”

‘I came in as more of a quiet guy, so I just wanted to feel my way through things. But as time went by and the season went on, I started to talk more and build my leadership role.’ Nakobe Dean UGA linebacker

HYOSUB SHIN / HYOSUB.SHIN@AJC.COM Nakobe Dean has played in all 13 games in 2019 while working to become a team leader.

CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM Nakobe Dean has become a solid UGA defender, after his season began with an ankle sprain.