Position By Position Breakdown: Notre Dame vs. Georgia
By Matt Clark
Secondary
Georgia Bulldogs Cornerback-Eric Stokes 6’1″, 175 pound, sophomore, 3 star recruit out of Covington, GA.
Seven tackles and three passes defended in three games in 2019.
Georgia Bulldogs Cornerback-DJ Daniel 6’1″, 185 pound, freshman, 4 star recruit out of Griffin, GA.
Three tackles in three games in 2019.
Georgia Bulldogs Safety-JR Reed 6’1″, 200 pound, senior, 3 star recruit out of Plano, TX.
Eleven tackles and one fumble recovery in three games in 2019.
Georgia Bulldogs Safety-Richard Lecounte 5’11”, 180 pound, junior, 5 star recruit out of Riceboro, GA.
Ten tackles in three games in 2019.
Notre Dame Irish Cornerback-Troy Pride Jr. 5’11”, 195 pound, senior, 4 star recruit out of Greer, SC.
Three tackles and one pass defended in two games in 2019.
Notre Dame Irish Cornerback-Shaun Crawford 5’9″, 180 pound, graduate student, 4 star recruit out of Lakewood, OH.
Six tackles, one pass defended and one interception in two games in 2019.
Notre Dame Irish Safety-Jalen Elliot 6’1″, 210 pound, senior, 3 star recruit out of Richmond, VA.
Six tackles, two passes defended and one interception in two games in 2019.
Notre Dame Irish Safety-Alohi Gilman 5’10”, 205 pound, senior out of Laie, HI.
Thirteen tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one pass deflection in two games in 2019.
Advantage-Notre Dame
Both JR Reed of Georgia and Alohi Gilman of Notre Dame were featured on the preseason watchlists for the Bronco Nadurski Award, as well as the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the best defensive back in the nation.
Reed was also featured on the watchlist for the Bronco Nagurski Award. While Reed may be the most talented player on either secondary, the Irish have a more talented group of players in their secondary.
Led by Gilman and his ability to make big hits, while flying all over the field, the Irish have big play ability from a finally healthy Crawford, as well as Pride Jr. and Elliot. Also, freshman phenom Kyle Hamilton provides as much big play ability on defense as any player on either team.
They will need solid tackling and big play ability against a very athletic receiving group from Georgia. The ability of the Irish secondary to pick off passes and force fumbles could result in a critical play in the game.