Georgia Football: 5 early signees who’ll make instant impact in 2019

5. Nolan Smith, DE

Kicking things off for the Bulldogs we look into IMG Academy’s own Nolan Smith.

The Bulldogs are losing a big playmaker in D’Andre Walker who accounted for 7.5 sacks this season and needs someone to make up the difference. Nolan Smith comes in as a defensive end but is considered one of the better, if not the best, edge rushers in this recruiting class and could see a shift to an outside linebacker spot in the Bulldog’s 3-4 Base Defense.

Smith also mentioned multiple times that he had interest in Alabama and Clemson and spoke about both schools with much respect. His IMG teammate and friend Xavier Thomas saw significant time at Clemson this season but Clemson slowed up recruiting Smith when they felt that they weren’t gaining any ground. The IMG product was the first to fax in his letter this morning and seems to have bought in completely in what Kirby Smart has going in Georgia.

Expect to see Smith out on the field a lot this season alongside former-five stars Adam Anderson and Benton Cox as the Dawgs rely heavily on youth to make up for the tremendous losses they are expecting to have on defense this offseason.