Georgia Bulldogs: 5 Defensive Players to Watch Vs. ULM

Georgia Football — USA; Georgia Bulldogs fans shown in the stands during the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Vanderbilt 44-17. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

With DC Jeremy Pruitt saying that the Georgia Bulldogs are a young team defensively, does that mean the Dawgs will prominently feature true freshmen in their defensive rotation?  There are a few guys on the UGA roster I’m sure the coaching staff won’t mind burning a redshirt with in 2015.  One of those players might be DB Rico McGraw.

McGraw decided to Commit To The G over Alabama this past winter.  While the Nashville native’s family wanted him to attend U of A in Tuscaloosa, Rico saw UGA as the better fit for him in the long run.  As a true freshman, he is one of three guys the defensive staff are looking at deploying in the STAR position.

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In essence, the STAR plays as an additional strong safety in nickel situations (5 defensive backs on the field).  The STAR is often a ball hawk and has to make plays both in the secondary and up with the linebackers.  To play STAR at UGA, a guy needs to do three things: hit hard, run fast, and have a solid understanding of multiple positions in the defense.

Last year, Pruitt used Dominick Sanders in the STAR as a true freshman, but Dom will fall back into a more natural spot of free safety for the Dawgs this fall.  Perhaps Rico looks good at the STAR in his handful of snaps against ULM on Saturday?  We’ll have to wait and see.

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