How Chaz Chambliss Will Step Up In the 2023 Season

Chaz Chambliss began to make a name for himself towards the end of last season, now he needs to step up.

The JACK position for Kirby Smart and his defense has been crucial in paving their way toward two national championships. Although many will list this position as an OLB, it is more of a hybrid between that and being a defensive end. 

Azeez Ojulari held the position down before passing the torch to Nolan Smith. Making an immediate impact once he solidified himself into the starting role, Smith was a sure-fire pick to be Smart's next great linebacker. Smith, unfortunately, went down with an injury during the 2022 season, allowing Chaz Chambliss to fill that spot. 

Chambliss will be entering his third season with the Bulldogs after spending the last two seasons as mainly a reserve LB and a special teams player. Smith went down with a torn pec during the annual rivalry against Florida. That game and the next against Tennessee, Chambliss racked up seven tackles, one and a half TFL, two quarterback hurries, and a sack. Then against LSU, Ohio State, and TCU, he had six tackles, one sack, one and a half TFL, and four QB hurries against LSU. 

Glancing at the stats may not impress many at first glance, but they tell a bigger story than what is seen. Those games would be considered the most important games from the 2022 season for the Dawgs, and these were also Chambliss' best games from 2022. Chambliss stepped up in the biggest moments and impacted the game's trajectory. A player who can step up in these games is essential, but to be a solid starter for Smart, you have to be consistent. 

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Chaz Chambliss (32) against the TCU Horned Frogs during the CFP national championship game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Outside these games, Chambliss had just three tackles and two QB hurries. In both Smith and Ojulari's junior seasons, they completed every game they played with at least one tackle and nearly every game with a quarterback hurry. One of the keys to their success was consistency, which is now the moral of the story for Chambliss as he enters his junior year. 

Aside from what Smith did on the field that made him a leader, his character and leadership were something all his teammates looked up to, freshman or senior. Chambliss is an unproven leader thus far. With a lack of seniority and leadership at the JACK position, Chambliss must step up as the unit leader. 

Things don't come easy at the University of Georgia, as many know. This won't change for Chambliss as he will compete with Marvin Jones Jr. for the starting JACK role. Jones Jr. suffered an injury during spring practices but should be fresh for the season and bring a ton of athleticism for Chambliss to compete with. Damon Wilson Jr., a 6' 4" freshman, will likely back the two up and see some playing time throughout his freshman year. 

He will have plenty of time to prove these things as the team's summer workout begins, leading into fall camp and another football between the hedges. 

Other Georgia News:

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• 2023 Season Preview: Can South Carolina Pull Off the Upset?
• Brock Bowers Slotted as Mid First-Round Pick To Start Season

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