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Roquan Smith has moved on to the NFL, leaving a huge void that Georgia must fill on its defense.

So how will the Bulldogs replace last season’s top defender?

“Obviously (Roquan) is a great player, but it’s next man up,” defensive coordinator Mel Tucker said. “So we’ll rally and we’ll develop the guys that we have and we’ll see what the identity of this defense is this year.”

Smith, the No. 8 overall pick in April's NFL draft, had 137 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 2017 and won the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker. Among the replacements for Smith include Natrez Patrick, Juwan Taylor, Monty Rice and Tae Crowder.

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Gainesville tight end Trent Wilcox (89) scores a receiving touchdown against Hughes defensive back Jalen Hoskins (37) during the first half in their quarter-final game of the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs at Langston Hughes High School, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Fairburn, Ga. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

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Ja’Quon Stembridge, shown here in July at the Henry County Republican Party monthly meeting, recently stepped from his position with the Georgia GOP. (Jenni Girtman for the AJC)

Credit: Jenni Girtman