Georgia football: 2018 rests on Natrez Patrick’s rehab

The 2018 Georgia football defense must recover from the loss of Roquan Smith. The key to recovery, and to a return to the College Football Playoffs, is the rehabilitation of Natrez Patrick.

The bell has tolled, the dreaded words intoned: Roquan Smith is gone, and he isn’t coming back.

Still, Georgia football can return to the SEC Championship game and the College Football Playoffs if rising senior Natrez Patrick overcomes his past substance abuse issues.

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Replacing the best linebacker in college football

If Georgia middle linebacker Roquan Smith had shocked the college football world by passing on the NFL draft, the Bulldogs would be a lock to return to Atlanta for the SEC Championship game and a favorite to reach the College Football Playoffs.

Talented Natrez Patrick, however, has returned. While he can anchor the interior of Georgia’s 2018 defense, it’s no lock Patrick will fulfill his talent’s promise.

Patrick returned to class this month after missing the College Football Playoff while an inpatient at a drug rehabilitation facility, and that’s a good start.

“Natrez is doing very well in his treatment,” Billy Healan told Seth Emerson of DawgNation in a text message last week. “He is enrolled in classes this semester. He is still on the football team and is looking forward to the upcoming season.”

Patrick played in 11 games in 2015, 10 in 2016, and nine in 2017. For Georgia to return to the College Football Playoffs, Patrick must reverse the trend and stay on the field.

Projected as a 2018 NFL draft first day pick before last season, a lot rides on Patrick’s senior year. He should look to the example of fellow senior Jonathan Ledbetter.