As the college football season creeps closer it is becoming clear that the defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs are not underdogs by any stretch of the imagination. But they aren’t necessarily favorites either.
The preseason Coaches Poll had the Dawgs ranked No. 3 in the country only behind Alabama and Ohio State.
Now, both the Crimson Tide and the Buckeyes are returning more starters than the Dawgs this year, and that is the reason for the Dawgs ranking. But Georgia has plenty of talent to reload with. Even though Georgia lost most of their historic defense from last season to the NFL, Wednesday night on The Jon Chuckery Show, Chip Towers, who covers all Georgia athletic programs for the AJC, told Chuckery who could be the breakout player for the Georgia defense this season.
Last season the Georgia defense was headlined by Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean, Devonte Wyatt, Lewis Cine, and of course number one overall pick Travon Walker, but this season Chip Towers believes defensive lineman Jalen Carter could really make a name for himself with the Bulldogs. Carter had a solid season in 2021 racking up 37 tackles (17 solo, 20 assisted) 8.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and a pass deflection.
However, this season Chip believes Carter will be highlighted in the Dawgs defense saying “He’s going to be the guy they really turn loose this year.” Chip also tells Jon that the great players from last years defense looked at Jalen as the best athlete on the defense saying “All those guys you know, Jordan Davis and Devonte Wyatt I mean they point to Jalen Carter as being the best one, Travon, I mean they all say he’s the best athlete.”
That says a lot coming from three first round picks in last April’s draft including the number one overall pick. Lastly, Chip praises Carter’s versatility saying “The great thing about Jalen Carter, you can play him at end, you can play him at nose guard, three technique, four technique, five technique…”
This Georgia Bulldogs defense still has plenty of first round picks on it including Jalen Carter who will be the focal point of the Georgia defense this year, and make everything go, so if Jalen does what he’s supposed to do and what everybody thinks he will do this season, the Georgia Bulldogs could have another top ten draft pick come out of their program in back to back years.
