Georgia's top-ranked defense won't look the same next season, but it will feature the return of gifted pass-rusher Nolan Smith, who announced on Monday that he plans to come back for his senior season.
The former No. 2-ranked player in the class of 2019, Smith had 55 tackles, 3.5 sacks and an interception this past season.
Smith's sack of quarterback Bryce Young was the final play of Georgia's win over Alabama in the College Football Playoff National Championship earlier this month.
Fresh off the program's first national title in 41 years, the Bulldogs have lost several key players from their defense, which ranked first in points per game (10.