The new defensive coordinator at Georgia, Jeremy Pruitt, is not messing around. He is not concerned with last year’s stats or last year’s depth chart. He is focused on this year and this new team.
If you don’t believe me, take a look at the newly released position standings.
Reigning All-American and preseason candidate for SEC Defensive Player of the Year, Ramik Wilson, was listed as a backup. Wilson suffered a concussion early in camp but has fully recovered and is now fighting to gain his starting position back. As an inside linebacker, Wilson led the SEC in tackles last season with 133 tackles. However, now he sits behind sophomore Tim Kimbrough.
Kimbrough appeared in eleven games last season but only registered five tackles. He has proven himself in camp though and met Pruitt’s expectations, unlike Wilson. It is unlikely that Wilson will remain second string for the season, let alone for the Clemson game. The bar was set high for Ramik in Pruitt’s camp and it just hasn’t been met yet.
This is a bold decision for a first year coordinator to make, dethroning your defensive anchor and all, but he has the full support of head coach Mark Richt.
“It’s hard to get better when you’re not there,” Richt said about Wilson last week. “It’s hard to get game ready when you’re not practicing. Unfortunately, he was not able to practice and now he’s playing catch-up quite frankly, and, hopefully, he can get to the point where the defensive staff feels like he ought to be in there doing it.”
Another surprise on the defensive depth chart is where Ray Drew stands. He was last year’s sack leader, but now the defensive end is running with the second team. He has been performing well in practice, but reports say the coaches want more from him. For now, James Deloach, is the starter against Clemson this Saturday.
Other seldom seen faces like walk-on senior Lucas Redd and junior Devin Bowman are making starting appearances. Redd appeared in twelve games at safety and tallied his first career tackle last season. Bowman only appeared in nine games. Juco transfer, Shattle Fenteng, is Bowman’s back up. Fenteng has promise and could potentially pass Bowman as the season progresses.
The war of attrition took its toll on Georgia’s defense this off-season. With the loss of Tray Matthews, Josh Harvey Clemmons, Jonathan Taylor, and Shaq Wiggins, Redd and Bowman have emerged into the forefront and will have to step it up. However, remaining on top for the rest of the season will be a challenge with all the talent these new Dawgs have.
Pruitt has shaken up this defense and is using the new, young Dawgs to the team’s advantage. Freshman, Dominick Sanders, will also be starting for the Clemson game at the new star position Georgia is using this year. Sanders showed out in fall camp and has already made a name for himself. J.J. Green, who moved from tailback to defense after last season, will be backing Sanders up at the “STAR” position.
In the end, the coaches and players are not worried about depth charts. Pruitt plans on using a rotation system unlike the defense Georgia used last year. Pruitt’s strategy is ultimately the polar opposite of his predecessor’s. This lineup can surely change within the next three days or even after the first snap.
Pruitt is committed to his system and is putting 100% of his effort into making his rotation-oriented scheme work. Georgia’s defense has a completely new look and I am excited to see it in action against offensive powerhouse Clemson this Saturday in Athens.
Georgia’s Depth Chart (Defense only):
DT: 89 James DeLoach (6-3, 265, Jr.) , 47 Ray Drew (6-5, 276, Sr.)
N: 96 Mike Thornton (6-1, 290, Sr.) , 97 John Atkins (6-4, 322, RFr.)
DE: 58 Sterling Bailey (6-3, 282, Jr.) , 91 Josh Dawson (6-4, 275, Jr.)
SAM: 84 Leonard Floyd (6-4, 220, So.) , 7 Lorenzo Carter (6-6, 237, Fr.)
JACK: 59 Jordan Jenkins (6-3, 246, Jr.), 17 Davin Bellamy (6-5, 235, RFr.)
MIKE :42 Tim Kimbrough (6-0, 228, So.) , 51 Ramik Wilson (6-2, 232, Sr.)
WILL: 52 Amarlo Herrera (6-2, 244, Sr.) , 30 Kosta Vavlas (6-0, 214, Sr.)
BC: 37 Devin Bowman (6-0, 179, Jr.) 31 Shattle Fenteng (6-2, 187, Jr.)
SC: 5 Damian Swann (5-11, 178, Sr.), 14 Malkom Parrish (5-10, 194, Fr.)
SS: 39 Corey Moore (6-2, 214, Sr.) , 20 Quincy Mauger (6-0, 200, So.)
STAR: 24 Dominick Sanders (6-0, 187, Fr.), 15 J.J. Green (5-9, 183, So.)
FS: 35 Aaron Davis (6-1, 190, RFr.), 12 Lucas Redd (6-1, 200, Sr.)
*Section Photo credit to Richard Hamm; Featured Photo (above) credit to A.J. Reynolds; both of Athens Banner-Herald
