Georgia Bulldogs fans have plenty to cheer about lately. Four of their football players just landed spots on the Pro Football Focus (PFF) SEC All-Decade Team.
This recognition comes after a decade of standout performances and big moments. PFF used data and their grading system from the last ten seasons to highlight these Georgia players, really cementing their place in college football history.
Let’s take a look at what sets these Bulldogs apart in the crowded SEC scene.
Brock Bowers: Dominating the Tight End Position
Brock Bowers is the name that jumps off the page at tight end for the SEC All-Decade Team. Honestly, it’s hard to argue against him—he’s led SEC tight ends in just about every category that matters.
Bowers’ numbers are wild. His PFF grade, receiving yards, touchdowns, first downs, and even advanced stats like passer rating when targeted all put him in a league of his own.
Unparalleled Statistics
Here’s a quick rundown of what Bowers has done:
- Leads all SEC tight ends in PFF grade, receiving yards, touchdowns, first downs, passer rating when targeted, explosive receptions, and yards per route run.
- He racked up 1,487 yards after the catch and forced 44 missed tackles—both more than double the next closest SEC tight end.
- In 2023, he hauled in 56 catches for 714 yards and six touchdowns, plus six rushes for 28 yards and another score.
Bowers picked up first-team Associated Press All-SEC honors and first-team Coaches’ All-SEC honors. He was a unanimous AP selection, putting him in the same breath as Georgia greats like David Pollack and Herschel Walker as a three-time All-American.
Oh, and he’s the only player ever to win the Mackey Award twice. Not bad, right?
Andrew Thomas: A Pillar at Offensive Tackle
Andrew Thomas also earned a spot on the PFF SEC All-Decade Team for his work at offensive tackle. He was just rock solid every year.
Thomas’ PFF grade of 88.1 speaks for itself. He lined up against some of the nastiest pass rushers—guys who are now NFL stars—and only gave up 10 sacks on more than 2,300 pass-blocking snaps.
That kind of reliability got him picked in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Georgia’s offensive line owes him a lot.
Roquan Smith and Nakobe Dean: Linebacker Legends
Georgia’s linebacker tradition is alive and well, thanks to Roquan Smith and Nakobe Dean both making the All-Decade Team. These two really helped keep the “Linebacker U” nickname going.
Roquan Smith: The Defensive Dynamo
Roquan Smith tops all SEC linebackers with a 94.5 PFF grade over the last decade. His speed and tackling made him a nightmare for offenses.
- In 2016, Smith had 95 tackles, five tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles.
- He took it up a notch in 2017, piling up 137 tackles, 14 for loss, and 6.5 sacks.
- Smith was named Georgia’s defensive MVP, won the Butkus Award, and took home SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2017.
He was at the heart of Georgia’s big wins, like their 28-7 SEC Championship over Auburn and the wild Rose Bowl victory against Oklahoma.
Nakobe Dean: The Blitzer Extraordinaire
Nakobe Dean’s PFF grade of 91.4 puts him right up there with the best. Dean was relentless on the blitz—44 pressures and nine sacks on just 200 pass-rushing snaps.
- In 2021, he was a unanimous All-American and won the Butkus Award.
- He finished second on the team with 72 tackles, plus 10.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, six pass breakups, five quarterback hurries, and two interceptions.
Dean’s leadership and all-around play made a huge difference for Georgia’s defense.
Georgia’s Projections for the Upcoming Season
Looking ahead, Georgia football is expected to stay near the top. ESPN’s FPI preseason rankings have Georgia at No. 5, with a 63.7 percent shot at making the College Football Playoff.
The Bulldogs are projected to win about 9.9 games, with some big matchups against highly ranked teams on the horizon. Should be another interesting season in Athens.
Key Games to Watch
- Sept. 5: Tennessee State (99% win probability)
- Sept. 12: Western Kentucky (98.1% win probability)
- Sept. 19: Arkansas (90.2% win probability)
- Oklahoma: A crucial early test with a 77% win probability
- Alabama: Georgia faces a tough challenge with a 58.1% win probability
Georgia’s schedule is ranked 20th in strength of schedule. It’s actually the lowest in the SEC, which is kind of surprising.
Even so, the Bulldogs still have a 22.9 percent chance of winning the SEC. Their shot at making the CFP title game sits at 17.3 percent.
If you want to dig deeper, check out the full article on 247Sports.
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