Four Georgia Defensive Players Who Will See Increased Playing Time in 2025
Kirby Smart has established a program known for its dominant defense, and in 2025, Georgia will look to continue that tradition with a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging stars. As the Bulldogs look to reload and continue their dominance, several defensive players are poised to take on more significant roles, with increased playing time being a key factor in their development.
Smart’s defensive schemes have been lauded for their ability to create pressure up front while maintaining solid coverage in the back end. The Georgia defense has consistently been one of the best in the nation, and the 2025 version is expected to be no different. With key departures from the 2024 season, several young or previously underutilized players are set to step up and fill major roles.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at four Georgia defensive players who are expected to see an increase in playing time in 2025 and how they could impact the team’s defensive success.
1. Michael Williams – Defensive Line
One of the most exciting players on Georgia’s defense entering 2025 is Michael Williams, a young defensive lineman who has been making waves since stepping onto campus. Williams was an immediate impact player in 2024, showing flashes of greatness as a rotational piece. However, with the departures of some key players along the defensive line, 2025 is the year he is expected to take over a more prominent role.
Why He’s Set for Increased Playing Time:
Williams is a physically gifted player with an impressive blend of size and athleticism, making him a nightmare for offensive linemen. Standing at 6’5” and weighing around 300 pounds, he has the size to clog up running lanes and the quickness to get after the quarterback. With Jalen Carter’s departure, a void has opened in the defensive interior, and Williams has the potential to fill that gap and then some. His ability to push the pocket and disrupt plays behind the line of scrimmage makes him an essential part of Georgia’s defense in 2025.
As Georgia continues to prioritize its dominant defensive front, Williams will be a central figure in the defensive line rotation. Expect him to be one of the players Smart leans on to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks and stop the run. With a year of experience under his belt, Williams will be a force both as a pass rusher and as a run defender, and his increase in playing time is expected to be a key factor in Georgia’s defense remaining one of the most elite in the nation.
2. Malaki Starks – Safety
As one of the rising stars in the Georgia secondary, Malaki Starks is another player who is poised for a significant increase in playing time. After a strong freshman campaign, Starks is ready to take the next step in his development and become one of the top safeties in college football.
Why He’s Set for Increased Playing Time:
Starks is an exceptional athlete with outstanding coverage skills and a nose for the football. His ability to cover ground quickly and make plays on the ball makes him a valuable asset in Georgia’s defensive backfield. In 2024, Starks showed his versatility, playing both as a safety and in a cornerback role when needed. His ability to excel in both man and zone coverage schemes will allow Smart to use him in various defensive packages, giving him more opportunities to make an impact.
The Bulldogs will need Starks to step up as a leader in the secondary with the departures of some key veterans. He has the athleticism and intelligence to become one of the most well-rounded defensive backs in the SEC, and with increased playing time, Starks will have the chance to develop into a game-changing force in the secondary. His ability to play both safety positions, as well as his proficiency in coverage, will give Georgia the flexibility to use him in multiple ways, increasing his role and his playing time.
Expect Starks to be a key figure for Georgia in 2025, especially in passing situations where his ball-hawking skills and ability to read the quarterback will be crucial to the Bulldogs’ defensive success.
3. Jamon Dumas-Johnson – Linebacker
Another player poised for more playing time in 2025 is linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson. Dumas-Johnson was already a key contributor in Georgia’s defense in 2024, but with more opportunities on the horizon, he is set to emerge as one of the Bulldogs’ defensive leaders in the middle of the field.
Why He’s Set for Increased Playing Time:
Dumas-Johnson is a highly skilled linebacker with a great combination of speed, instincts, and physicality. His ability to cover ground quickly and make tackles in the open field has made him a standout for the Bulldogs. While he has been effective in a rotational role, Georgia’s defense is likely to rely on him even more heavily in 2025 as they look to replace several key departures from the linebacker corps.
With Trezman Marshall and Nolan Smith heading to the NFL, the Bulldogs will need a reliable and dynamic player to take on a bigger role at linebacker. Dumas-Johnson has shown the ability to be a versatile linebacker, capable of both defending the run and dropping into pass coverage. His speed and ability to read the play make him an ideal candidate to lead Georgia’s defense in 2025.
His increased playing time will be crucial for the Bulldogs, as he will be tasked with not only stopping the run but also covering tight ends and running backs in the passing game. Dumas-Johnson’s ability to be a complete linebacker will allow him to be a key cog in Georgia’s defense, and he will likely become one of the most important players on that side of the ball.
4. Nyland Green – Cornerback
With the Bulldogs’ defense continuing to develop under Kirby Smart’s watch, Nyland Green is another player who is poised for a breakout season in 2025. Green has shown flashes of potential in limited opportunities but is expected to take on a larger role in Georgia’s secondary, particularly as the Bulldogs look to replace a few key players in their cornerback rotation.
Why He’s Set for Increased Playing Time:
At 6’2” and with great length, Green has the physical tools to be a shutdown cornerback at the college level. His ability to match up with wide receivers of all sizes and his ability to press at the line of scrimmage make him a valuable asset for Georgia’s defense. Although Green has not been a full-time starter, he’s been effective in his limited snaps, often impressing with his ability to challenge receivers and contest passes.
In 2025, Georgia will need Green to step into a more significant role in their secondary, as they look to replace some veteran cornerbacks who have gone to the NFL. With more playing time, Green will be asked to cover opposing teams’ top wide receivers and provide solid support in the passing game. His long reach and ability to read the quarterback will make him a vital asset in both man and zone coverage schemes.
If Green can continue to develop his skills and refine his technique, he will be one of the top cornerbacks in the SEC, and his increased role in Georgia’s defense will give them another weapon in their already formidable secondary.