It’s no secret at this point that the outside linebacker room isn’t up to past standards. Nolan Smith’s season-ending injury put the position group in a real stalemate, with most of the shots going to Robert Beal and Chaz Chambliss.
Beal and Smith will leave for the NFL next season, which will force Georgia to come out and add high-quality prospects who could both add depth and help immediately.
“When we were at our best, we had a lot of speed and athleticism in this room, and we’re trying to get back to that,” Smart said. “We hope these guys can do that and provide defensive help as well when it comes to going 4-3 and having two guys there.”
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First-year outside linebacker Chidera Uzo-Diribie did just that, as the Bulldogs signed Damon Wilson, Sam M’Pemba and Gabe Harris to the position. Harris can play defensive end, but all three help improve the talent in the room.
“It’s one of those trades where we have to add depth, and we have to have guys who can play early for us at those positions,” Smart said.
Harris and M’Pemba were teammates together at IMG Academy last season, while Wilson played in the highest ratings in Florida. He is the highest rated of the entire Georgia signing class, as Wilson is the No. 1 signing. 17 player overall according to the On3 Consensus rankings.
While being interviewed by ESPN after choosing Georgia over Ohio State and Alabama, Wilson explained that the ability to play early was a factor in his choice of Georgia. Of the signings at outside linebacker, he’s probably the closest to being able to help Georgia next season. Georgia is likely to bring back Chambliss as well as promising rookie Marvin Jones Jr.. MJ Sherman will enter his junior season.
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The Bulldogs have moved Darris Smith around at times this season, sometimes playing rookie with defensive backs. And inside linebacker Jalon Walker picked up reps with the group as injuries mounted.
M’Pemba is on the margins of 5-star status since it is the No. 1. 34 global perspective. He is new to the position, having grown up playing football and spent the early part of high school playing tight end.
He’s raw in Smart’s words but he’s got as much talent as anyone in the class.
“He’s an incredible athletic talent,” Smart said. He’s also going to have to learn how to play in this position because he kind of played everywhere as a football player.
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While many will be eager to see Wilson, Harris and M’Pemba help out in defense next year, Smart was quick to mention that there are other ways to help the team that don’t require significant progress.
All three will be early registrants, with Harris already on campus this week as Georgia goes through bowl practice.
“You know, there was a time when there were three or four really high draft picks in this room,” Smart said. That’s what you want in this skill set. It helps you on the third try. These body types help you on special teams.
“The 6′2″-plus, the 240-plus is a position that can cover kicks, can cover punt returns in terms of holding people up. So much value in this play, packages you can do on defense.
The future of the outside linebacker position is brighter today than it was when Uzo-Diribe arrived in Georgia from TCU. It will take time and growth for Wilson, M’Pemba and Harris to become possible draft picks.
But for the first time since the signing class of 2019 when Georgia brought in Smith and Jermaine Johnson a year after signing Azeez OJulari, Georgia has a very bright future at rusher.
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