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Georgia Football: Predicting Georgia’s 2023 Depth Chart

By Elliot Reeder

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 09: Kendall Milton #2 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs with the ball against Terrell Cooper #95 of the TCU Horned Frogs in the first quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at SoFi Stadium on January 09, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 09: Kendall Milton #2 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs with the ball against Terrell Cooper #95 of the TCU Horned Frogs in the first quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at SoFi Stadium on January 09, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Georgia Football
Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

LB-SAM

  1. Chazz Chambliss (Jr.)
  2. Marvin Jones Jr. (So.)
  3. Damon Wilson Jr. (Fr.)
  4. Samuel M’Pemba (Fr.)

LB-JACK

  1. Jalon Walker (So.)
  2. Darris Smith (So.)
  3. Samuel M’Pemba (Fr.)
  4. Gabe Harris (Fr.)
  5. CJ Madden (R-Fr.)

With Nolan Smith and Bobby Beal Jr. both off to the NFL, Georgia’s OLB/EDGE group will look a lot different in 2023. This is a group where some new guys are going to have to step up.

This is the group that might be the biggest question mark for the Dawgs in 2023. The group has a ton of talent, it just doesn’t have a ton of experience (seven of eight players on our list are either freshmen or sophomores). Chazz Chambliss struggled at times while being thrust into duty late in the season in 2022, but has shown a lot of flashes and should take a step-forward this season. Chambliss totaled 15 tackles, 3 TFL, and 2 sacks a year ago.

Jalon Walker flashed as well in limited PT in 2022. He put up 9 tackles, 2 TFL, and 1 sack. Walker played multiple positions in the front-seven a year ago, but I believe that Georgia will hope to settle him in on the outside as one of their top pass-rushers. Both Chambliss and Walker have a lot of talent, but they are going to have to show that they can be more than just rotation pass-rush specialists.

Marvin Jones Jr. was a five-star in the class of 2022, and will now likely be the first EDGE rusher off the bench (or he’ll start if Jalon Walker plays more on the inside). Damon Wilson, Sam M’Pemba, and Gabe Harris are all highly touted recruits in the 2023 class (all top 100 players) who might get the chance to carve out a role in 2023. Darris Smith and CJ Madden are also four-star’s from the 2022 class who will hope to take a step forward in year #2 in the program.

LB-MONEY

  1. Jamon Dumas-Johnson (Jr.)
  2. Xavian Sorey Jr. (R-So.)
  3. Jalon Walker (So.)
  4. Raylen Wilson (Fr.)
  5. CJ Allen (Fr.)

LB-MAC

  1. Smael Mondon (Jr.)
  2. Xavian Sorey Jr. (R-So.)
  3. Jalon Walker (So.)
  4. EJ Lightsey (R-Fr.)
  5. Troy Bowles (Fr.)

Georgia returns arguably the best middle linebacker tandem in the SEC in Dumas-Johnson and Mondon, both entering their second seasons as starters. I believe this year’s LB core could be similar to Georgia’s 2021 unit. It would see Dumas-Johnson playing the role of Nakobe Dean as the leader of the defense. Then Sorey playing a similar role to Channing Tindall where he does not necessarily start, but still plays a ton and is one of Georgia’s top producers.

One thing to watch could be the early season health of Mondon, who is currently making his way back from an injury as camp finishes up. If he isn’t available to start the year, that should open up the door for Sorey and Jalon Walker (if he plays inside) to get extended PT, and show the coaches that he (or they if including Walker) deserves to be on the field more.

After the top three/four (if Walker plays on the inside), Georgia has a strong group of young LB’s who are looking to earn more playing time. Raylen Wilson (a 2023 five-star), CJ Allen (2023 four-star), and Troy Bowles (2023 four-star) are joined by 2022 three-star EJ Lightsey as the young depth in the middle. The wildcard here is Walker. While I personally think he’ll play more on the outside, he will also play on the inside as well. With Mondon’s health a question mark, Walker might be pushed inside for now.

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