One of Georgia’s advantages entering the 2017 season will be that it only has to replace one starter on defense.
But that starter, defensive back Maurice Smith, played a lot of snaps at the star position, which is the inside nickel cornerback. Smith spent the majority of preseason practice with the second team before earning the starting nod in the 2016 season opener against North Carolina. He never relinquished his spot.
It won’t be easy to replace Smith, who finished last season fifth on the team with 50 tackles and recorded a key pick-six against Auburn. But it’s a spot where head coach Kirby Smart will eye a few young defensive backs to step in and fill.