Georgia’s offense has taken strides over back-to-back national title seasons, but defense has always been a focus in Athens, especially during head coach Kirby Smart’s tenure.
Smart brought a defense he helped develop at Alabama with a Nick Saban to Athens and has tweaked it to reflect the ever-changing offensive systems in college football.
Even with massive roster turnover from season-to-season thanks to the transfer portal and NFL draft, Smart and the Bulldogs continue to reload and suffocate opposing offenses.
Outside linebacker Chaz Chambliss will be an important part of a young outside linebacker corps following the 2022 season. A former four-star recruit in the class of 2021, Chambliss saw the most action of his career last season and played extensively after the injury to edge defender Nolan Smith.
According to Chambliss, the Bulldogs defensive mindset is what sets them apart.
“Nobody runs the ball on us, nobody gets past third downs on us. Nobody gets in our end zone. … Anything else is not good enough.”
Chambliss noted the youth at outside linebacker and mentioned a lesson he learned from NFL draft-bound teammates Smith and Robert Beal Jr.
“Just being there for the young guys like they were there for me. They were there for me and were helping me get through all the times I had as a freshman because that’s a long journey to when you get to playing shape. Right now, it’s just embracing that role and trying to help the young guys.”
What’s valuable for Georgia is Chambliss’ growth as a third-year defender.
“I feel like a whole different player from the beginning to the end. From Oregon to Ohio State to TCU, it feels like a whole different game.”
Chambliss is the most senior member among an outside linebacker room that includes rising sophomores Marvin Jones Jr. and Darris Smith, along with true freshmen Samuel M’Pemba, Gabe Harris, and Damon Wilson Jr.
