Georgia Bulldogs: Top 5 Sophomores Entering 2015

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Nov 29, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets running back Synjyn Days (10) is tackled by Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Dominick Sanders (24) during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia Tech defeated Georgia 30-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps I’m giving too much credit to one true sophomore for his part in the rapid turnaround of the Georgia Bulldogs’ secondary last season. But then again, Dominick Sanders has the makings of a very special player for the Dawgs.

Sanders was a late signee of the 2014 Class, coming aboard shortly after Jeremy Pruitt left Florida State to come to Athens to coach the Georgia Defense. Kind of how DJ Shockley followed Mark Richt to Athens after leaving Tallahassee, Sanders will go down as the first recruit to Commit To The G because of Pruitt.

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As a true freshman, Sanders did a bit of everything in the UGA secondary. He made tackles (34, 29 solo), he defended the pass (5 deflections), he picked off errant passes (3 interceptions for 64 yards), he even accounted for a defensive touchdown on a scoop and score. All coming from a 3-Star recruit who would have likely been red-shirted in most collegiate scenarios.

I don’t like to give Dominick Sanders a position (FS, SS, Star?) other than Defensive Back Playmaker (DBPM). When he’s out there on the field, he makes his teammates better and play a little looser knowing that Dominick can do a little bit of everything in the defensive backfield.

While I doubt that Dominick Sanders contends for the Jim Thorpe Award as a true sophomore in 2015, making an All-SEC team isn’t out of the question for this young and talented defensive back. I could see Sanders increasing his tackle total to 45 and his coverage numbers to improve as well: 5 interceptions for 80 yards and one score, with 8 pass deflections sprinkled into the mix.

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