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Georgia Bulldogs: Concerns with Run Defense?

By John Buhler

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The Georgia Bulldogs improved in the pass defense last year under new DC Jeremy Pruitt, but with the graduations of both Amarlo Herrera and Ramik Wilson, do the Dawgs have major concerns in run defense?

In the last few seasons, it seemed like the ILB tandem of Herrera and Wilson never left the playing field.  Both were sure tacklers and end up getting drafted on the third day of the 2015 NFL Draft.  Herrera went to the Indianapolis Colts and Wilson joined the Kansas City Chiefs.

-= Related: Georgia Bulldogs: Defensive Line to Use Heavy Rotation =-

Replacing both All-SEC caliber inside linebackers isn’t an easy task for ILB Coach Mike Ekeler.  However, there are a few strong candidates to try their best to make of for loss production lost in the front seven with the Seniors’ departures.

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    • Georgia has four guys at ILB that should contribute heavily for the Dawgs this fall: Reggie Carter, Tim Kimbrough, Ryne Rankin, and UAB transfer Jake Ganus.  Ekeler could also see if true freshmen Natrez Patrick or Roquan Smith are viable options for his unit on the inside.

    Expect the Georgia Bulldogs to mix and match at inside linebacker trying to find suitable replacements for the departed sure tacklers on the inside.  We’ve heard about Preseason All-SEC 3rd Teamer OLB Leonard Floyd‘s rotation of positions in fall camp to ensure that Pruitt can get his best 11 guys on the field, even if that means playing 3 outside linebackers.  Floyd has had reps at both ILB and STAR to allow Jordan Jenkins, Lorenzo Carter and even Davin Bellamy on the field at the same time.

    HC Mark Richt said that the OLBs are improving at run stoppage in fall camp but have ways to go.  DL Coach Tracy Rocker mentioned that he will likely use a deep rotation in the front three until he finds suitable starters.  If you don’t already have the pre-Week 1 jitters already, I’m a little scared that ULM will run the ball right at us on Saturday.

    Calm down, y’all.  I think the Georgia Bulldogs will figure out run stoppage this fall.  Remember they did figure out that Ramik Wilson and Amarlo Herrera were suitable replacements for the departed ILB Alec Ogletree not all that long ago.

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    Jake Ganus was a leader tackler for the UAB Blazers before their football program was temporarily shut down.  He should step in and contribute right away making some sure-fire tackles in run defense as a Senior ILB.  I love how hard Tim Kimbrough hits on special teams.  Maybe he can bring the thunder to the defensive side of the ball in 2015?  Reggie Carter looks promising and Ryne Rankin is in the mix, too.  Who knows, maybe Leonard Floyd is a potential answer at ILB, too?

    Though I’m a little nervous thinking about the Georgia Bulldogs’ run defense entering the regular season, at least the Dawgs have a ton of depth at linebacker that can hopefully offset their offseason departures at inside linebacker.  Five days, Dawg Nation. Five Days.  That is All, Go Dawgs!

    Next: Isaiah McKenzie: Lingering Injury Concerning for KR/WR?

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