Opportunity Knocks at Georgia's JACK Position

With inexperience abounding, perhaps nowhere on the Georgia Football team is there a greater opportunity for young players to earn significant playing time than at the JACK position.

With Georgia set to open football spring practice, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart met with the media on Tuesday to answer questions and provide updates on the team. With the departures of veterans Nolan Smith and Robert Beal, Smart fielded questions on the outlook at the JACK OLB position as the team enters spring drills.

Smart was quick to point out the relative youth at JACK compared to the past several seasons calling it “probably the youngest position on the roster.” Smart further detailed the youth at the position: “ the three midyears, CJ (Madden). I guess I'm counting -- I'm counting those five guys, and that isn't even counting Marvin (Jones Jr.). So there are six guys within that one-year span.” Early enrollees and former teammates at IMG Academy Gabe Harris and Samuel M’Pemba will be participating in their first spring practices, while the same is true of talented Sophomore Darris Smith who did not enroll at Georgia until the summer of 2022. 

Marvin Jones Jr., a former five-star prospect from the 2022 signing class, will miss spring practice following off-season shoulder surgery. Additionally, Jalon Walker, who spent his Freshman season in 2022 playing a dual role as both an ILB and edge rusher, will also miss spring drills recovering from his own off-season surgery. Despite the lack of experienced depth, Smart lauded the natural talent and athleticism at the position saying, “when you talk about how our guys run around and how they move, there’s a really good group of guys.” Yet, Smart was also quick to acknowledge that given the inexperience at the position, “we'll need a lot of reps and work there to replace the Nolans and the Beals who have been there forever.”

Marvin Jones Jr. will miss spring practice following off-season shoulder surgery

While youth and inexperience predominate at Georgia’s JACK position, Smart singled out Junior Chaz Chambliss as “kind of like the old vet there now.” Chambliss dealt with a lower-extremity injury during the early stages of the 2022 season before filling in admirably for Nolan Smith who was lost for the season during the annual Georgia-Florida game in Jacksonville in late October. Chambliss, whose play improved steadily after his playing time increased dramatically following the injury to Smith, looks to use the experience gained in 2022 to lead a young and inexperienced position group.

Chaz Chambliss (32) enters spring practice as Georgia's most experienced option at JACK

Georgia enters spring practice light on experience but heavy on talent and athleticism at the JACK position. Perhaps nowhere on the Georgia Football team is there a greater opportunity for young players to earn significant playing time leading into the 2023 season. 

Other Georgia News:

• JUST IN: Bulldog's Injury Report Heading Into Spring Practice
• Georgia's Projected Depth Chart Entering Spring Practice
• Kirby Smart Provides First Update on 2023 Starting QB Battle

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