Exciting Defensive Futures

After forecasting the futures of the 2010 offensive signees a few days ago, its time to turn to the bulk of the class, the 11 future Dawgs slated to play in Grantham’s 3-4 defense. I really debated about whether or not this would be a helpful exercise since all of these players will be playing in a different scheme than every previous defensive player in the Richt era. But I think there is still room for prediction in terms of overall production. So without further adieu, the forecasted future career paths of the 2010 defensive signees…

Garrison Smith- It will be interesting to see where all of these defensive tackles and ends wind up in Grantham’s 3-4 scheme. Smith says be played the nose tackle position in high school, but this is the SEC and his 255 lbs. probably isn’t nose tackle material, even in Grantham’s scheme that doesn’t require a Mount Cody in the middle. Unless he puts on serious weight I see Smith in a role similar to that of Geno Atkins. He can rely heavily on his quickness,technique and surprising strength to still have a big role on the defensive line.

Michael Thornton- Thornton on the other hand seems like the most likely option to me to be UGA’s first real nose tackle. He might not play that much this year, but we can eventually be the prototype “undersized” nose Grantham has been talking about. He’ll be a big presence in the middle to draw double teams and a good run-stuffer, much like Jeff Owens was in the old 4-3. Thornton could have played just about anywhere he wanted in any scheme out there. Hopefully he can be an essential to UGA’s 3-4 in the next few years.

TJ Stripling- Stripling is another guy that I think will excel in this new system. Given his great height and quickness he could bounce back and forth from the defensive end and outside linebacker positions like Marcus Howard used to do. He’s a good bit bigger than Howard, and could still stand to put some weight on his frame, but he could be a force coming off the edge at either end or linebacker. And he has awesomely intimidating dreads like Howard, thought I’m sure the seniors will take those from him when he starts camp in the fall.

Jalen Fields- Fields is a defensive end who will almost certainly end up playing along the line. He seems to be a player very similar to Demarcus Dobbs. He’s a good enough pass rusher to get around the QB and flush him out of the pocket some but probably not quick enough to land too many sacks. He’s still one of a good number of players in the class well-suited to disrupt the QB. And maybe he’ll even take after Dobbs with a few picks too.

Dexter Morant- Morant has almost the exact same size as Quentin Moses had coming out of high school. He’s lanky and good at pass rushing, but needs to fill out before he’ll be ready to play at this level. Hopefully Grantham’s defense will do a better job of suiting guy like Moses, Marcus Howard, and Morant, who are very athletic, but often had a hard time finding a position in the 4-3. In the end Morant mirrors Moses (a former one-star recruit that seriously overachieved while in Athens) not only in size, but in potential as he might need a few years to catch up but could be great down the road.

Brandon Burrows- Virtually everyone was pursuing Burrows when he committed to the Dawgs last summer. But shortly after committing he tore up his knee, causing him to miss his senior season at Walton High in Marietta. The injury makes it a near certainty that he’ll redshirt next fall. But after two years sitting out it may be pretty tough to fight back into the depth chart. I won’t be too terribly surprised if he’s set for an injury-plauged career like that of Jeremy Longo, who has now fought through a redshirt season and a freshman year full of injuries and now seems buried incredibly deep in the depth chart.

Alec Ogletree- Of all the talent I’m excited to see in this class Ogeltree might have me most anxious. At this point it’s uncertain whether he’ll line up at outside linebacker or safety. He has the speed to play centerfield in the safety position and the size to cut it at linebacker. At this point I’m hoping he turns into a Thomas Davis kind of safety that can really bring the pain. If his high school tapes are any indication he’ll be a big hitter wherever he plays at the college level.

Demetre Baker- One has to wonder if Grantham and his staff will wontinue to recruit very many linebackers with Baker’s build and abilities. He’s really only suitable for one of the inside linebacker positions. In picking Georgia he certainly took his best offer and it just won’t surprise me if he gets lost in the shuffle at linebacker much like Charles White has. I just don’t see him being a real impact player.

Jakar Hamilton- If Ogeltree does indeed end up at safety he and Jakar “The Hitman” Hamilton could become a safety duo to give receivers nightmares. Hamilton, a junior college transfer, should see the field quickly. And since he’s known as “The Hitman” he’s got to follow in the footsteps of a former big-hitter. If Ogeltree is going to be the next Thomas Davis then Hamilton must be the next Greg Blue.

Marc Deas- Poor Marc Deas might just be arriving at the wrong time to play safety for the Dawgs. If he, Ogletree and Hamilton are fighting for playing time opposite Bacarri Rambo I’m afraid he may end up being the odd man out. But good for Deas, Hamilton only has two years of eligibility left. It seems Deas could have a career path very similar to that of Kelin Johnson, who was stuck behind much more talented safeties for a few years, but eventually got good playing time later in his career.

Derek Owens- Owens was the only corner signed in this class. And in a few years he may be the last remaining evidence of the Willie Martinez era at UGA. A few other corners Martinez had recruited jumped ship after Martinez was forced out, but Owens stayed to keep Willie’s legacy intact. He’s plenty fast and athletic, but he’s undersized, doesn’t jam well at the line, isn’t a great tackler and just needs to become more physical overall. Ladies and gents, the next Prince Miller. We can only hope Lakatos doesn’t have such a soft spot for the little Floridian DB that could.

As you can see in some of the comparisons made above there is a lot to be excited about as we look forward to watching some of this defensive talent and seeing where Grantham, Belin and Lakatos find these players can be used best. All in all this may be the most all-around athletic defensive class UGA has hauled in in quite some time. And it’s definitely the first time in a few years that the defensive half of the recruiting class has the majority of the highly-anticipated players. Look for some of these guys to contribute early and often.

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