As the Texas Longhorns prepare to host the Georgia Bulldogs, they will face a defense returning three standout players who are expected to challenge Texas’ offense in every way possible. While Georgia’s ability to execute on both sides of the ball is a hallmark of their success, their defense has consistently been their dominant force.
In the preseason, ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg ranked Georgia’s 2023 and 2024 defense as the best in college football. Despite several key players departing for the NFL after last season, the Bulldogs have managed to rebuild their lineup with even more talent. During the 2023 season, Georgia outscored opponents 562-219, ending the year with a dominant 16-3 win over then-No. 6 Florida State in the Orange Bowl.
While Georgia’s defense remains strong, they have shown slight vulnerabilities this season, allowing an average of 17 points per game and giving up 103 points total so far. However, as Texas gears up for this marquee matchup, Georgia will be looking to bring its best defensive effort to Austin.
Despite some early season challenges, Georgia boasts six returning defensive starters, including three top performers, along with the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class. Here are three defensive players the Longhorns need to be wary of in their attempt to crack this stout Bulldogs defense.
1. DB Malaki Starks
Malaki Starks is a defensive standout for Georgia, having received multiple accolades in 2023. Starks, who enters his junior season, was a consensus First Team All-American and a finalist for both the Bronko Nagurski and Jim Thorpe Awards. In his sophomore campaign, Starks posted 52 tackles (31 solo) and led the team with three interceptions.
This season, Starks has picked up where he left off, leading the team in tackles with 32 (21 solo, 11 assisted) across six games. He made an immediate impact in Georgia’s season opener against Clemson, registering a diving interception and a quarterback hurry, which earned him Jim Thorpe Award National DB of the Week honors. Starks also had a standout performance against Alabama in Week 4, with two tackles for loss and a team-high eight tackles, proving he’s a key playmaker for the Bulldogs.
2. DL Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
Standing at 6-foot-5, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins has become one of the most impactful defensive linemen for Georgia in 2024. After limited action in 2023, where he had eight total tackles and one sack, Ingram-Dawkins has emerged as a force this season. He’s already accumulated 12 total tackles, including eight tackles for a loss of 28 yards, and has registered three sacks for a loss of 18 yards in six games.
His ability to disrupt the offensive line and collapse the pocket will be critical as Georgia tries to contain Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers and slow down the Longhorns’ offensive attack.
3. DB Dan Jackson
In his sixth year with the Bulldogs, Dan Jackson has evolved into a consistent presence in the Georgia secondary. Already this season, Jackson has registered more tackles than in all of 2023, with 31 total (25 solo), including 1.5 tackles for loss. His best performance of the year came against Alabama, where he recorded a season-high 10 tackles and secured an interception.
Though his stats may not leap off the page, Jackson has also recovered a fumble, broken up two passes, and blocked a kick, showing his ability to disrupt opponents in a variety of ways. His veteran presence and versatility make him a key figure in Georgia’s secondary.
As the Longhorns prepare for this high-stakes showdown, they’ll need to overcome these key defensive players to find success on offense. Whether it’s navigating the hard-hitting coverage of Starks, breaking through the defensive line led by Ingram-Dawkins, or avoiding the playmaking ability of Jackson, Texas will need to be at their best to take down the Bulldogs on Saturday.
