Georgia Bulldogs: Top 5 Defensive Players for 2015

Dec 30, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt yells out from the sidelines during the second quarter against the Louisville Cardinals in the Belk Bowl held at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

The Georgia Bulldogs enter the 2015 Season with the usually high expectations as a contending team.  Mark Richt’s program has a deep stable of running backs including Heisman Trophy hopeful Sophomore RB Nick Chubb, an offensive line that returns four of five starters, and arguably the best linebacker corps in the nation.  But the Dawgs still have uncertainty surrounding its starting quarterback, a new offensive coordinator in Brian Schottenheimer, and just one year of installing Jeremy Pruitt’s defensive schemes.

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Fortunately for the Georgia Bulldogs, they continue to recruit at as a Top 10 team in the country and are bursting with talent all across the gridiron.  Brice Ramsey, Faton Bauta and Greyson Lambert will compete to replace Hutson Mason following his graduation from UGA.  Schottenheimer plans to include concepts from former OC Mike Bobo’s playbook in his balanced offensive attack.  And Georgia still has Jeremy Pruitt on its staff, recruiting with authority and getting the most out of a once porous secondary.

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While it is important for Mark Richt and Brian Schottenheimer to pick the right starting quarterback heading into the season, perhaps it’s the continued development of Pruitt’s defense that will ultimately decide it the Georgia Bulldogs can contend for an SEC Championship this fall.

Though Pruitt loses LBs Ramik Wilson and Amarlo Herrera as well as CB Damian Swann to the 2015 NFL Draft, he still has a ton of talent on his defense for 2015.  Here are the five best returning defensive players on the Georgia Bulldogs heading into this season.

Next: We'll Start in the Defensive Backfield