2011 Recruiting Wrap Up: Assessing the Depth Chart - DL and Linebacker

The combination recruits and the return of players from redshirt should mean that the defensive line and linebackers will look a lot different than they did last fall. For the purposes of the depth charts below, I am listing Ray Drew as an outside linebacker and Sterling Bailey at defensive end.


Depth Chart - Defensive End
1. Deangelo Tyson, Senior
2. Abry Jones, Junior
3. Derrick Lott, Sophomore
4. Garrison Smith, Sophomore
5. Sterling Bailey, Freshman

Analysis
With John Jenkins manning the nose guard position, Deangelo Tyson will be able to move back to his natural position of defensive end. When we go to a four down linemen set, he will shift back into a D tackle role. Tyson and Jones should be solid at DE, both having played significantly since their freshman seasons. Derrick Lott showed some flashes last season and Garrison Smith should see the field alot this fall. I think Sterling Bailey may be able to crack the rotation, particularly in pass situations opposite a linebacker playing up on the line.

Depth Chart - DT
1. John Jenkins, Junior
2. Kwame Geathers, Sophomore

Analysis
Jenkins will fit perfectly into Grantham's 3-4. Hoepfully Geathers has continued to develop in the off-season. Freshman Chris Mayes is also expected to play the nose guard position, but i have heard rumors that he may not qualify and be headed to GMC.

Depth Chart - OLB
1. Cornelius Washington, Junior
2. Ray Drew, Freshman
3. TJ Stripling, Sophomore
4. Reuben Faloughi, Sophomore
5. Dexter Morant, Redshirt Freshman

Analysis
I expect that Jarvis Jones may also see significant playing time at outside linebacker. I expect Ray Drew to take a starting spot in camp this summer and Cornelius Washington to be the beast we thought he could be. TJ Stripling is coming off that horrendous knee injury, but if healthy, could be in for a breakout season.

Depth Chart - ILB
1. Christian Robinson, Junior
2. Jarvis Jones, Redshirt Sophomore
3. Richard Samuel, Redshirt Junior
4. Mike Gilliard, Junior
5. Amarlo Herrera, Freshman

Analysis
The departure of Marcus Dowtin has opened up a spot in the starting lineup for Jarvis Jones (he may have taken it anyway). After sitting out a year healing from a neck injury, the former five star recruit could really make an impact in the SEC this fall. Christian Robinson was solid last year and will only get better. I am also excited to finally see Richard Samuel where he belongs. Most Georgia fans have never seen him on defense, but let me say that you are in for a treat. Amarlo Herrera and Kent Turene could also see the field this fall.

The Countdown 2010: 22 Days to Go

22: Ben Zambiasi, Linebacker #44 (1974-1977)

"In all my years of coaching, I never coached a more intense and tenacious football player than Ben Zambiasi." – Coach Vince Dooley

In 1974, a lightly recruited fullback named Ben Zambiasi came to The University of Georgia. The undersized player (195 pounds) from Macon would move to linebacker that fall where he played sparingly during his freshman season. In 1975, Zambiasi became one of 6 sophomores starting on Defensive Coordinator Erk Russell’s defense. The group, which Erk nicknamed the Junkyard Dawgs, would be led by Zambiasi over the next three years.

In his first season as a starter, Zambiasi tied a school record with 148 tackles and earned second team All-SEC honors. The following season, he turned in an All-American season leading the Bulldogs to a Sugar Bowl birth against the Pittsburgh Panthers. While the Dawgs would come up short against the eventual National Champions, Zambiasi enjoyed a great game recording 15 total tackles. During his senior season in 1977, the Bulldogs would struggle to a 5-6 record, however this did not deter Zambiasi from having a record setting season. He tallied a total of 177 tackles and was named first team All-SEC and All-American.

Zambiasi was drafted by the Chicago Bears in 1978, but found his true professional football home in Canada. He spent 11 seasons in the CFL, where he was a six-time All-Star, runner up for the Rookie of the Year (1978) and won defensive MVP in 1979. Here are some highlights from his CFL career, for which he was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2004:

During his career at Georgia, he led the team in tackles each of his last three seasons. He is the only Georgia player to ever lead the team in tackles three times and remains Georgia’s all-time leader in total tackles with 475.

The Countdown 2010: 37 Days to Go

Knox Culpepper, LB #48 (1981-1984)

Like many Dawgs before him, Knox Culpepper will enter the Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame this year. For his career, Culpepper finished with 383 tackles, ranking sixth on Georgia's all-time list. But most importantly, he finished 3-1 against the Gators.

Culpepper remembers "the smell of liquor coming from the stands as we ran onto the field [in Jacksonville]. There was no atmosphere quite like it."

The early '80s linebacker followed in his father's footsteps, who played linebacker for Wally Butts' Dawgs in the '50s and was team captain in 1956. He also accepted the challenge of wearing linebacker Frank Ros' number, the senior captain of the 1980 National Championship team.

An All-State linebacker from The Lovett School, Culpepper was a second-team All-American, an All-SEC performer and the team captain himself by his senior season with the Dawgs in 1984. He set the Georgia record for total tackles in one season with 170 in his junior year of 1983, a record still held today.

What did he do for an encore? Only 166 total tackles in 1984, still good for second on the single season list. He earned the Coffee County Hustle Award both seasons.

Culpepper also still ranks #1 and #2 on Georgia's single game tackles list. In 1983, he racked up 25 tackles versus Auburn in a 13-7 loss, breaking the school's record. However, that record only stood through the bye week as Culpepper marked up 26 tackles against the NATS in a 27-24 win.

In "What It Means to be a Bulldog," Culpepper references the "immortal" words of Lewis Grizzard, who wrote that "The game of life is a lot like football. You have to tackle your problems, block your fears, and score your points when you get the opportunity."

The Countdown 2010: 39 Days to Go

39: Rennie Curran, Linebacker #35 (2007 – 2009)

Like me, Rennie Curran grew up in Snellville, Georgia, and played his high school football at my high school rival, Brookwood. Despite his short height, Curran was one of the top linebacking prospects in the country after recording over 150 tackles in both his junior and senior seasons. Rennie is the son of immigrant parents from Liberia. Here is a great video on his family and how he came to Georgia:


Arriving on campus in 2007, Curran quickly made a place for himself in the Georgia rotation at outside linebacker. He made his first career start in Georgia’s 42-30 victory over Florida in Jacksonville, recording 5 tackles, including two for a loss. A continued to make big plays in the Blackout victory over Auburn and had his finest game of the season against Kentucky. As the Dawgs got revenge for the 2006 loss to the Wildcats, Curran was named SEC freshman of the week as he made 13 tackles in the victory. He closed his freshman season with a 7 tackle game in the trouncing of Hawaii in the Sugar bowl. For the season he played in 11 games (starting 5), had 53 tackles and 3 sacks. He was named to the All-SEC Freshman team and a Freshman All-American by Sporting News, Rivals, and Scout.

In 2008, Curran would win numerous awards including 4th team All-American (Phil Steele) first team All-SEC (Coaches, 2nd Team AP), and was also a Butkus Award finalist. He lead the team in tackles in 9 of 13 games, totaling 115 tackles, 3 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. He registered double digit totals in sacks and five games and forced a fumble at the goal line against South Carolina to help preserve a Georgia lead. Here is a look at some highlights from the 2008 season:


2009 ended up being Rennie final year at Georgia, but with a struggling defense around him, he played an even more important role than he had previously. In the second game of the season against South Carolina, he made a play that clinched the Georgia victory:

He recorded a career high 16 tackles in Georgia’s narrow loss to LSU, one of six double digit tackle games for him during the season. He led or tied for the team lead in tackles during eleven of Georgia’s thirteen games. For the year, he registered an SEC leading 130 tackles, including 10 quarterback pressures and 3 pass break ups. He was named a consensus first team All-SEC member, the permanent defensive captain, and a finalist for the Lombardi and Bednarik awards.

For his career, he made 30 starts (out of 37 games) and had 298 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 24 tackles for a loss. His 298 tackles is 15th all-time at Georgia and he was named a two-time All-SEC player. He left for the NFL following the 2009 season and was drafted by the Tennessee Titans.

The Countdown 2010: 49 Days to Go

49: John Brantley, Linebacker #59 (1984 – 1987)

Linebacker John Brantley was a member of some of the final Georgia teams coached by Vince Dooley. And while today the name is usually associated with the new Florida starting quarterback, this John Brantley has already secured his legacy in the SEC history books. The native of Wildwood, Florida, Brantley combined with Terrie Webster to form a linebacking duo Georgia fans called “Rambo and Rambro”.

1986 would be the first of two consecutive seasons as a member of the All-SEC squad for Brantley. The Georgia Bulldogs won 8 games in ’86 including an upset victory over rival Auburn. He racked up a career high 20 tackles, before the Auburn police decided it was a good idea to turn the water hoses on the Georgia fans. He was quoted as saying, "I was on still on the field and people were picking us up on their shoulders. I didn't get wet, but I could see all the people who were getting wet. Man, that was something else." He finished the season with 160 total tackles, the fourth highest season total in Georgia history.

Returning for his senior season in 1987, Brantley was named the permanent defensive captain of a team that would win 9 games. He racked up another 154 tackles and was once again named to the All-SEC first team. For his career, Brantley had 415 tackles, the fourth highest total in Georgia history. He was drafted in the 12th round of the 1988 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers and later played for the Washington Redskins.

The Countdown 2010: 51 Days to Go

51: Greg Bright, Linebacker #45 (1994 – 1997)

Not many players go from wanting to leave school and go back home to 4 year starters with multiple all conference honors, but that is exactly what happened to Greg Bright. A native of Moultrie, Georgia, bright redshirted for Coach Ray Goff during the 1993 season. Not having many friends, Bright considered leaving Georgia all together. But a long talk with Coach Goff convinced him to stay and forever changed his career at Georgia. Buried deep on the depth chart following spring in 1994, Bright took to the weight room and eventually earned a starting spot at linebacker. He was named a member of the All-SEC Freshman team and had an amazing game against Clemson where he recorded 16 tackles and had two interceptions.

Bright had another fantastic season in 1995, starting at outside linebacker in all 11 games. Once again he turned in a 16 yard tackle performance, this time against Ole Miss. During his junior season in 1996, Bright moved to inside linebacker, a move that would help bright earn second team All-SEC honors. He led Georgia with 143 total tackles and added three interceptions.

During his senior season in 1997, Bright was named the Bulldogs’ permanent defensive captain. He once again led the Dawgs in tackles (with 128) and tied for the team lead with three sacks. You can see him in action in this highlight video of the victory over Georgia Tech in the final regular season game of the ’97 season:

Bright closed his fantastic Georgia career with 8 tackles in the Outback Bowl. He was named to the first team All-SEC squad.

A four year starter, Bright only missed one game after his freshman season. He is second all-time at Georgia with 453 total tackles and is Georgia’s all-time leader in solo tackles with 290. He attempted to continue his career in the NFL, but was released by the Dallas Cowboys.

The Countdown 2010: 55 Days to Go

55: Nate Taylor, LB #47 (1979-1982)

Before David Pollack and before Robert Edwards, Nate Taylor wore #47. However, the Tift County product wasn't even wanted as a walk-on at Vanderbilt.

"He was the kind of guy who I don't think you would go back and see him play in high school twice," said the late Erk Russell. "Yet when you turned him loose, he seemed to know where the ball was. He had a Tasmanian, devil-type disposition."*

Taylor entered the 1979 game vs. South Carolina as a scout team player. He filled in at linebacker due to injuries and made 18 tackles. He received a scholarship the next week and never left the starting lineup the rest of his career.

In the 1980 opener in Knoxville, Terrible Nate Taylor from Ty Ty might've forced the most important fumble in Georgia's history. He met Tennessee's Glenn Ford inside Georgia's 5-yard line with the Dawgs protecting a lead for the first time all night, 16-15. The Dawgs' Pat McShea recovered and Georgia's national championship season was on.

Weighing 193 pounds, Taylor led the team in tackles in 1979 with 120, and again in 1980 with 112. He is 5th all time on UGA's career tackles list with 390.

Linebacker coach Chip Wisdom remembers Taylor wasn't the fastest player either. "He ran a 5.3 forty. I don't think Nate ever broke five-flat. I'm exaggerating obviously, but he was slow."*

Following in his father's footsteps, Tony Taylor was involved in one of the biggest fumbles in the Tech series, returning it for a touchdown and upsetting the Jackets in 2006.

*From "Tales from the 1980 Georgia Bulldogs"

The Countdown 2010: 59 Days to Go

59: Richard Tardits, Linebacker #92 (1985 – 1988)

“Ain’t no way this kid’s going to learn to play football.” – Coach Vince Dooley

The story of Georgia legend Richard Tardits reads like one that you would see in an inspirational sports film like Miracle or The Rookie. At the age of 19, Tardits came from France to August to visit some family members. During that time, he decided to attend college in America and ended up at The University of Georgia. A skilled rugby player who had been a member of the French junior national team, Tardits decided to walk-on to an open tryout for the football team in the spring of 1985. Despite his clear lack of knowledge of the game, Dooley saw potential in the physically gifted Tardits, and offered him a position on special teams.

During spring practice in 1986, Dooley gave him a chance to play on defense. The gamble paid off, as Tardits had a knack for tackling players in the backfield and earned him a starting position at linebacker. He would earn the nickname “Le Sack” as he led the Dawgs in sacks with 6 in the 1986 season. During the 1987, he would once again lead the team in sacks with 10, including 3 in the victory over Florida. He spoke about his performance in that game in the interview below:


During his senior season in 1988, Tardits tied (at the time) Georgia’s record for sacks in a season with 12. This included a four sack performance against Texas Christian University. He was named to the All-SEC squad following the season. “Le Sack” finished his career as Georgia’s all-time leader in sacks with 29 (a record later broken by David Pollack). He is currently 7th all time in the SEC in sacks. After playing in the NFL with the New England Patriots, Tardits continued his athletic career in the sport that was his first love, rugby. He played professionally in Europe before returning to the US to play for the United States National team. Here is a further look at the career of Richard Tardits (sorry for the video quality):

The Countdown 2010: 68 Days to Go

Odell Thurman LB #33 (2003-2004)

We all know about the off-field troubles of Odell Thurman, but on field, he was a punishing middle linebacker that set the tone for Brian VanGorder's last two linebacker units at Georgia. A player that only notably contributed for two seasons, and was suspended for the first three games of 2004, made a large enough impact to land on this list at #68.

He was named an all-SEC player and was a semifinalist for the Butkus Award in 2004, and was selected 48th overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2005.

On a Junkyard Dawg defense full of big playmakers in 2003 and 2004, Thurman had a knack for making big plays of his own:



There isn't much more to say about Odell. Unfortunately, both his college and NFL careers could have been better. But he was an outstanding talent, and one mean middle linebacker.

As Uncle Dawg would say, "Oh hell, it's Odell."

The Countdown 2010: 69 Days to Go

Randall Godfrey, LB #42 (1992-1995)

Randall Godfrey burst onto the scene as the SEC Freshman of the Year in 1992, Ray Goff's best season as Georgia's head coach (10-2). The Lowndes County High School product led the Bulldogs with 114 tackles that season, becoming the first true freshman to ever lead UGA in that category. He would go on to be named to the All-SEC team in 1993 and 1994 at middle linebacker.

Godfrey finished his career with 365 career tackles, 8th all-time in Georgia's history. His 231 primary career tackles makes him 3rd all-time on that list.

Injuries depleted this crop of Bulldogs in '95.

Godfrey was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1996 with the 49th overall pick. He played 12 seasons in the NFL with the Cowboys (4), Titans (3), Seahawks (1), Chargers (3) and Redskins (1), making All-Pro with the Titans in 2000. He also led the Cowboys in tackles in 1999.

Falling 10 classes short of his degree when drafted by the Cowboys, Godfrey recently returned to Athens to finish it, doing so in the fall of 2009.

The Countdown 2010: 84 Days to Go

84: Tommy Thurson #60 (1980-83)

Consistency best describes linebacker Tommy Thurson's career at Georgia as he ended it as the Bulldogs' second all-time leading tackler with 448 total career tackles. Leading the team in tackles in 1981 and 1982, the Jacksonville native was a 3-year starter for Georgia during the greatest run in its football history.

The 1979 Jacksonville Journal High School Player of the Year played part of his collegiate career with a ruptured disc in his back but made first-team all-SEC in 1982 and 1983, helping the 1982 defense hold opponents to 12.1 points per game.

Thurson had 18 tackles in the 1982 defeat of Georgia Tech, while his fellow linebacker Knox Culpepper had 25, combining for 43 total tackles in the game.

Thurson's career stats include his 448 tackles plus 9 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 15 pass breakups and 5 forced fumbles.

Today, Thurson lives in Statesboro and works as a district supervisor for coastal area convenience stores in southwest Georgia.

The Countdown 2010: 90 Days to Go

90: Mo Lewis, Linebacker #57 (1987 – 1990)

During the final years of Vince Dooley’s career, Atlanta native Mo Lewis began what would be an amazing football career. Lewis is considered to have one of the best NFL careers of any Georgia player, but his years in Athens were not too shabby either.

During his career in Athens, Lewis would rack up numbers that would put him near the top of many categories in the Georgia record book. His best season came during his junior season in 1989, when he had 10 sacks. This included a four sack game against Ole Miss. During his senior season, Lewis was named defensive captain and was named to the second team All-SEC squad by the Associated Press. He stands 12th all-time at Georgia in tackles with 314 (169 solo, 145 assists). He is 12th all-time in sacks with 14.

Lewis was drafted in the 3rd round of the 1991 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. During his thirteen year career in the NFL, Lewis was named to the Pro Bowl three times and was selected as an All-Pro twice. He retired with 1231 tackles (883 solo), 52.5 sacks, 14 interceptions for 241 yards, 79 pass deflections, 29 forced fumbles, 13 fumble recoveries for 74 yards, and 5 defensive touchdowns in 200 career games. Lewis is most famously remembered for the play below, which injured then Patriot quarterback Drew Bledsoe and paved the way for Tom Brady to become the new starter in New England: