ATLANTA — — A major chunk of Georgia’s protection for the ages has moved on to the NFL.
Can we anticipate a significant drop-off in 2022?
Do not depend on it.
The reigning nationwide champions nonetheless have loads of expertise on that facet of the road, led by huge lineman Jalen Carter, linebacker Nolan Smith, and defensive backs Kelee Ringo and Christopher Smith.
They will get an opportunity to say the highlight when No. 3 Georgia opens the season Saturday in opposition to No. 11 Oregon within the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Sport at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
“I have been a Georgia fan all my life,” Nolan Smith mentioned. “That is one factor that is all the time been nice round right here, the Georgia protection. So I am 100% not worrying a few drop-off. It is a typical. Simply because we had a variety of guys go away final yr, it is a typical of Georgia protection that we play at a excessive stage.”
5 gamers off Georgia’s protection have been drafted within the first spherical, together with prime general choose Travon Walker. Three different defensive standouts have been chosen within the later rounds.
In all, Georgia had 15 gamers taken within the draft — a document for the reason that NFL went to a seven-round format.
The man on the alternative sideline is definitely conversant in Georgia’s means to close down opponents.
Dan Lanning served the final three years as Sensible’s co-defensive coordinator. Now, he is making his head teaching debut in opposition to a crew he is aware of so effectively, having succeeded Mario Cristobal.
“There’s undoubtedly some emotions of pleasure for me to go play a crew that I care about and was a giant a part of for a very long time,” Lanning conceded.
Georgia coach Kirby Sensible, who agreed over the summer season to a 10-year contract extension price greater than $110 million, downplayed the importance of going through a former member of his workers.
He is already completed it with two different ex-assistants, beating Arkansas’ Sam Pittman twice in addition to knocking off South Carolina’s Shane Beamer.
“Neither Dan nor I will likely be frightened about one another throughout the recreation,” Sensible mentioned. “It’s not about that.”
EYES ON THE QB
Lanning declined to call a beginning quarterback, however the Bulldogs have a fairly good concept who they will be going through.
Bo Nix transferred to Oregon after beginning the previous three seasons at Auburn, one in all Georgia’s largest Southeastern Convention rivals.
Nix is 0-3 in opposition to the Bulldogs.
“I do know who the quarterback goes to be,” Sensible mentioned. “I’m not frightened about that.”
There are not any uncertainties about Georgia’s QB.
Coming off a storybook season by which he was picked as offensive MVP in each playoff victories, former walk-on Stetson Bennett is again for his sixth faculty season.
It is fairly a change to be the unquestioned starter after battling for enjoying time each different yr.
“I am in all probability a little bit bit extra excited than I used to be this time final yr,” Bennett mentioned.
ONCE A DUCK
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota, who received the Heisman Trophy at Oregon, will likely be an honorary captain for his alma mater.
Mariota believes the Geese, who’re 16½-point underdogs, have an opportunity to tug off the upset.
“They’re gonna be aggressive,” he mentioned.
Lanning hopes to construct a program that seems extra gamers like Mariota.
“He stands for all the pieces that I feel Oregon soccer stands for,” the rookie coach mentioned. “Thrilled that he will get to be round and we get to play in his dwelling stadium.”
THREE-HEADED MONSTER
Georgia’s offense has an opportunity to create all kinds of matchup issues with an elite trio of tight ends.
Brock Bowers is coming off a dynamic freshman season, Darnell Washington is sort of a handful at 6-foot-7 and 270 kilos, and Arik Gilbert had a stellar yr at LSU earlier than transferring to Georgia.
“It is arduous to discover a crew that has as a lot expertise of their tight finish room,” Lanning mentioned. “You’ll be able to name them tight ends, however the actuality is that they’re a matchup challenge as wideouts as a lot as they’re at tight finish.”
EXPERIENCED LINE
Whereas Oregon has a bunch of latest gamers, together with 21 transfers, there’s one space the place the Geese have loads of expertise.
All 5 starters return on the offensive line, offering some much-needed stability amid all of the modifications.
“It is going to be key that we play effectively, play bodily,” Sensible mentioned. “It’s important to management the road of scrimmage and strike individuals to be an excellent soccer crew.”
HONORING WEBB
Oregon will honor Spencer Webb with a helmet sticker of his No. 4 inside a spider internet.
Webb died in July after falling and placing his head throughout an outing at a well-liked swimming spot in Eugene.
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Observe Paul Newberry on Twitter at https://twitter.com/pnewberry1963
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AP Sports activities Author Anne Peterson in Portland, Oregon contributed to this report.
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