Georgia inside linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson is one of the top returning linebackers for the 2023 season, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Johnson comes in at No. 4 after exceeding expectations as a first-year starter as the Bulldogs secured their second consecutive national title.
Top 10 returning Linebackers for the 2023 season, via @Chad_Maxwick pic.twitter.com/cT90ED0xiU
— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 15, 2023
Johnson earned Butkus Award semifinalist and All-SEC second team honors after a season in which he totaled 70 tackles (second on the team), four sacks (second on the team), nine tackles for loss (led team), with three pass breakups and one forced fumble in 15 games.
“Dumas-Johnson is the next great Georgia linebacker, following past Bulldog greats such as Roquan Smith and Nakobe Dean. In fact, over the past two seasons, the only SEC linebacker with a higher grade than Dumas-Johnson is Dean. The sophomore led the SEC this season with a 79.9 run-defense grade.” – PFF
Johnson was asked to the fill the void after 2021 Butkus Award winner Nakobe Dean was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles and quickly became one of the Bulldogs defensive leaders in 2022.
Georgia should be in good hands at inside linebacker with rising juniors Johnson and Smael Mondon entering their second season as starters in 2023.