Notre Dame continues their journey to a National Championship on New Year’s Day at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, against a team that has won two of the last three national titles, the Georgia Bulldogs. We preview the SEC Champs’ defense here:
Photo by The Irish Tribune
The Bulldogs’ defense features at least six potential 2025 NFL Draftees, including three potential first-round selections. Georgia’s star-studded group has been reliant on the ‘bend but do not break’ philosophy this season. Here is how the Dawgs have fared this season:
vs Clemson (in Atlanta, 34-3, Win)
vs Tennessee Tech (48-3, Win)
at Kentucky (13-12, Win)
at Alabama (34-41, Loss)
vs Auburn (31-13, Win)
vs Mississippi State (41-31, Win)
at Texas (30-15, Win)
at Florida (in Jacksonville, 34-20, Win)
at Ole Miss (10-28, Loss)
vs Tennessee (31-17, Win)
vs UMass (59-21, Win)
vs Georgia Tech (44-42, 8OT Win)
vs Texas (SEC Championship in Atlanta, 22-19, Win)
Georgia’s defense is allowing 336.5 total yards per game, the ninth-fewest in the SEC and 35th among all FBS teams. Their 20.4 points per game allowed are the seventh-fewest in the conference and 21st in the country.
One point of success for the Bulldogs this season has been their third-down defense. Opponents are converting just 33.1% of their attempts, the sixth-lowest percentage in the SEC and 23rd among all FBS teams. The Irish offense will need to execute on these key downs, as they are only converting 40% of their third-down attempts. However, they did do well versus Indiana, converting 7/12 attempts.
Against the pass, Georgia’s defense has been fairly solid. They are allowing 208.7 pass yards per game, the eighth-fewest in the SEC and 50th among all FBS teams. Opposing passers are averaging a 122.09 passer rating, the seventh-lowest rating in the conference and 40th in the country. One reason for this is that they average 2.77 sacks per game (36 total), the sixth-most in the SEC and tied for 20th nationally. Interestingly, Georgia has combined for just eight interceptions this season, tied for the fourth-fewest in the conference. Let’s preview some key players in the Bulldogs’ secondary:
The unquestioned leader of the Georgia secondary is junior safety Malaki Starks. The potential 2025 NFL Draft first-round prospect is, in my opinion, the best true safety in the upcoming draft. Starks entered this season with 120 tackles, 14 passes defended, and five interceptions in 29 games played across the last two years. Last season, he was named a consensus First Team All-American and First Team All-SEC selection. This year, the versatile defensive back was named an AP Second Team All-American and, again, a First Team All-SEC selection. Starks has 73 tackles (leads team), three passes defended, and an interception this season. He has at least one tackle in each game including eight games with six or more. He posted a season-high of ten tackles and a pass defended versus Georgia Tech. Starks, who can also play slot corner, has been great against the run and tackler with just six misses this season. In addition, he has been solid in coverage, having allowed 33 receptions for 449 yards and two touchdowns on 50 targets this year. There is no doubt that Starks will make his impact felt this Wednesday.
Another safety featured in this defense is redshirt senior Dan Jackson. He entered this season with 76 tackles, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles in 33 games played across the past three years. Jackson is enjoying a career-best season this year, entering the Sugar Bowl with 60 tackles, three passes defended, two interceptions, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. As another versatile defensive back, he has at least two tackles in each game including nine games with four or more. Jackson, who like Starks, can play slot corner, posted a season-high of ten tackles and an interception at Alabama. Overall, Jackson is not a very talented defensive back. The best aspect of his game is coverage, where he has allowed 22 receptions for 167 yards on 31 targets this year. He is a below-average tackler with 13 misses this season including three in the SEC Championship. Additionally, Jackson has no impact against the run.
The third true safety to highlight is freshman KJ Bolden. He entered Georgia as a consensus five-star recruit from in-state powerhouse Buford. The All-SEC Freshman Team selection racked up 54 tackles, a sack, an interception, and a forced fumble this season. Bolden has at least two tackles in each game including seven games with five or more. He recorded a season-high of eight tackles versus Tennessee. Overall, Bolden is a well-rounded defensive back with the potential to be one of the best in the country at his position for years to come. He has been good in coverage, having allowed 16 receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown on 27 targets. Additionally, he is a good run-stopper and tackler with just six misses this season.
One starting cornerback for the Dawgs is junior Daylen Everette. Last season, he recorded 29 tackles including three for a loss, five passes defended, and an interception. This year, Everette has totaled 53 tackles, three interceptions, two passes defended, two forced fumbles, a sack, and a fumble recovery. The junior has at least one tackle in 12 games, including six games with four or more. He had a season-high of ten tackles versus Georgia Tech. In addition, Everette was named the SEC Championship Game MVP following his two-interception performance. He has been solid all season, especially in coverage where he has allowed 43 receptions for 532 yards and two touchdowns on 61 targets this year. Everette is an average run-stopper but has struggled with tackling, totaling 13 misses this season including at least one in the last five contests. As a corner, the junior is rarely utilized as a pass rusher, however, he has been very effective in this role when called upon.
The final secondary player to highlight is sophomore cornerback Daniel Harris. He is enjoying a breakout season, with 20 tackles and three passes defended in 11 games played. Harris was held out for two games due to “coach’s decision.” He has at least one tackle in ten games and tied his season-high of three in the SEC Championship in addition to a pass defended. Harris has good potential but has struggled all around this season. He is an average run-stopper and tackler with three misses on the year. Also, he has struggled in coverage, having allowed 24 receptions for 390 yards and a touchdown on 36 targets this season.
Georgia features a solid rushing defense, allowing 127.8 rush yards per game, the eighth-fewest in the SEC and 36th among all FBS teams. Expect a big game from the Irish rush attack that is averaging 222.4 rush yards per game, the 11th-most in the country. As a team, the Bulldogs average 6.6 tackles for loss per game, tied for the eighth-most in the conference and tied for 32nd in the country. Let’s preview key players involved in this potentially dangerous front seven:
The Bulldogs have three solid interior linebackers led by sophomore CJ Allen. Last season, he had 41 tackles including three for a loss, two passes defended, and a sack in 14 games played. This year, Allen has recorded 72 tackles including three for a loss, four passes defended, and an interception. The sophomore has at least one tackle in each game including nine games with five or more tackles. He had a season-high of ten tackles and two passes defended versus Georgia Tech. Also, Allen played well in the SEC Championship when he had seven tackles and a pass defended. Overall, this is a good, well-rounded linebacker. Allen is an elite run-stopper and great tackler with just four misses this season. Additionally, he is a solid pass rusher with 19 pressures on 80 pass rush snaps. Allen has struggled in coverage, having allowed 19 receptions for 288 yards and two touchdowns on 28 targets.
Another featured interior linebacker is senior Smael Mondon Jr. He entered this season with 144 tackles including 13 for a loss, four sacks, two passes defended, and an interception in 26 games played across the last two seasons. The 2023 Second Team All-SEC selection led the Bulldogs with five tackles in their 2022 National Championship victory. The versatile linebacker, who can line up as a slot corner, has recorded 48 tackles including three for a loss, three passes defended, and two sacks in nine games played this season. Mondon missed four games with a leg injury. The senior has at least one tackle in each game played, including eight games with three or more tackles. He had a season-high of 13 tackles including a sack versus Georgia Tech. Mondon is another well-rounded linebacker for this defense. He is a good run-stopper and tackler with three misses this season. In addition, he is a good pass rusher with 13 pressures on 69 pass rush snaps. Mondon has been solid in coverage, having allowed seven receptions for 50 yards on 12 targets.
The final true interior backer to highlight is sophomore Raylen Wilson. He is experiencing a breakout season, as he has 42 tackles including seven for a loss, one and a half sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Wilson has at least one tackle in each game including a season-high of seven versus Florida. The sophomore is a solid backer; he is a good run-stopper and tackler with just four misses on the year. He is fairly average in coverage, having allowed 10 receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown on 14 targets. Wilson has struggled as a pass rusher with just nine pressures on 66 pass rush snaps this year.
Georgia also features the Butkus Award winner, junior linebacker Jalon Walker. The potential 2025 NFL Draft first-round selection is the best true linebacker in the upcoming draft, in my opinion. Last season, he recorded 20 tackles including six for a loss, five sacks, and a forced fumble in 14 games played. In addition to being named the best linebacker in the country, Walker was also named an AP Third Team All-American and Second Team All-SEC selection this year. The versatile backer who is capable of playing ILB or OLB has racked up 58 tackles including 11 for a loss, six and a half sacks (tied for the team lead), and two fumble recoveries this season. Walker has at least two tackles in 12 games, including six games with five or more. The junior recorded a season-best performance of eight tackles, three sacks, and a fumble recovery during the regular season matchup with Texas. Walker is an all-around solid backer; he excels as a pass rusher with 29 pressures on 180 pass rush snaps. He is a good tackler with seven misses this season and has been solid in coverage, having allowed 10 receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets. Walker has been fairly average against the run this year.
The first of two true outside linebackers is senior Chaz Chambliss. The occasional edge rusher entered this season with 35 tackles including six for a loss, two sacks, two passes defended, and an interception in 26 games played across the past two years. This season, Chambliss has 38 tackles including ten for a loss, six and a half sacks (tied with Walker for the team lead), and a fumble recovery. The senior has at least two tackles in 12 games including a season-high of six with two sacks versus Florida. Overall, Chambliss is a great defender who is an elite tackler with just two misses this year. He has been good against the run and in coverage, having allowed three receptions for 26 yards on four targets. Also, he is a solid pass rusher with 15 pressures on 151 pass rush snaps.
The second outside backer to highlight is sophomore Damon Wilson II. As another occasional edge rusher, he has experienced a breakout season with 20 tackles including six for a loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. Wilson has at least one tackle in 11 games. He has decent potential but has struggled in certain aspects this year. The sophomore is a solid tackler with five misses and pass rusher with 21 pressures on 210 pass-rush snaps. However, he has struggled against the run and in coverage, having allowed three receptions for 50 yards on five targets this year.
In my opinion, the defensive player most capable of blowing up an offensive game plan by himself is junior edge rusher Mykel Williams. The potential 2025 NFL Draft first-round selection is among the top four edge defenders in the upcoming draft. Williams entered this season with 46 tackles including 14 for a loss, nine sacks, two passes defended, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in 28 games played across the last two years. He was named to the ‘22 SEC All-Freshman Team after recording five tackles and a sack in the National Championship. Last year, Williams was named to the All-SEC Second Team. This season, Williams repeated as an All-SEC Second Team selection as he recorded 20 tackles including nine for a loss, five sacks, and two forced fumbles in 11 games played. The junior missed two games with an ankle injury. He has at least one tackle in nine games including a season-high of five with a sack and forced fumble versus UMass. Additionally, Williams tallied two sacks in both games versus Texas. He is an elite run-stopper and good pass rusher with 26 pressures on 227 pass rush snaps. Also, Williams is a solid tackler with just three misses on the year. This will be the largest test for Notre Dame’s offensive tackles since the season-opener versus Nic Scourton and Texas A&M.
On the interior, Georgia features three solid defensive tackles including senior Warren Brinson. Last season, he recorded 21 tackles including three for a loss and two sacks in 13 games played. This year, Brinson has totaled 24 tackles including six for a loss and two sacks in 11 games played. He missed two games with a lower leg injury. The senior has at least one tackle in eight games including a season-high of five with a sack versus UMass. Brinson is a well-rounded lineman; he is a good run-stopper and tackler with just three misses this season. Also, he is a solid pass rusher with 13 pressures on 209 pass rush snaps.
Another tackle to highlight is redshirt sophomore Christen Miller, who has injury concerns heading into the Sugar Bowl. He was experiencing a breakout season before missing the last two games with a shoulder injury. His status for Wednesday is unclear, but expect him to suit up. This year, Miller has recorded 22 tackles including four for a loss and one and a half sacks in 11 games played. He has at least one tackle in each game played including a season-high of four with a sack versus Tennessee Tech. When healthy, Miller has been very good for the Bulldogs. He is a great run-stopper, but it remains to be seen how his injury will affect his play. Miller is also a solid tackler with just two misses and a valid pass rusher with 18 pressures on 185 pass rush snaps. The sophomore’s status will be one to watch as we approach game time.
The final defender to spotlight is redshirt junior lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins. The versatile defender is capable of lining up anywhere on the line. He is enjoying a breakout season with 17 tackles including eight for a loss, three sacks, two passes defended, and a forced fumble. Ingram-Dawkins has at least one tackle in eight games and recorded a season-high of two sacks versus Auburn. The junior is a good run-stopper but struggles as a pass rusher, with 19 pressures on 285 pass rush snaps, and as a tackler, with ten misses this season. How much he plays on Wednesday may be dependent on Miller’s health.
The winner of this elite Sugar Bowl matchup will earn a date with Penn State or Boise State in the Orange Bowl on January 9th. While Georgia has the top-end talent splattered throughout their defense, they have shown moments of weakness. It is up to Notre Dame to expose those potential flaws, ideally with a strong rushing performance.
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