The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
THE BREAKDOWN
■ Returning starters (3): CB Kamari Lassiter, S Malaki Starks, STAR Javon Bullard
■ Starters lost (2): CB Kelee Ringo, S Chris Smith
■ All eyes on: Daylen Everett and Nyland Green
■ Outlook: The competition is going to be fast and furious during the spring as the Bulldogs seek to settle on a First Five before entering summer workouts and preseason camp. The biggest question mark is who might succeed Kelee Ringo at cornerback. Last year, Georgia didn’t switch between fieldside and boundary-side corners as it had in the past. Ringo typically guarded the left side of the defensive secondary and Kamari Lassiter the right. What’s unknown is whether that will continue and, if so, if Lassiter remains on the right side, where he earned Pro Football Focus’ fourth-highest grade for the season among Georgia’s defenders. Regardless, the other spot figures to be the focus of an intense competition between rising sophomores Daylen Everette and Nyland Green. Everette saw the most action in the secondary, taking snaps in 14 of the Bulldogs’ 15 games and finishing with 13 tackles and a pass breakup. Most of Green’s work came on special teams but, as a third-year player and one Georgia’s fastest athletes, he’s ready to prove he can be an every-down DB for the Dawgs. At safety, the Bulldogs are set at one spot with the return of freshman All-american Malaki Starks. Georgia will benefit from the return of strong safety Dan Jackson from foot surgery that cut short his junior season at the midway point. He has started five games and played in 22 in his career. Rising sophomore Jacorey Thomas will battle for playing time at safety, among several others. The return of fifthyear senior Tykee Smith at star along with Bullard will allow DB coaches Will Muschamp and Fran Brown to consider moving one or the other spots. As ever, cross-training will be a priority. Also, the Bulldogs signed four defensive backs in the 2023 recruiting class, all high-4star prospects, plus Charlotte athlete Kyron Jones, who could play a number of different positions, both offensively and defensively. Who works where will be a major objective during the spring session.
■ Up next: Quarterbacks
PREVIOUSLY
■ Specialists: Georgia’s rich kicking tradition up for grabs
■ Offense line: Turnover at tackle but reason for optimism
■ Defensive line: Nazir Stackhouse resembling Jordan Davis
■ Running backs: Kendall Milton “trusting process”
■ Linebackers: “Pop,” Mondon back to man the middle
■ Receivers: Transfers add to stacked receiving corps