ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia is losing one of its key defensive pieces. Safety Javon Bullard has declared for the NFL Draft, ending a surprisingly strong career for the former three-star recruit.
The news means there will be three new starters in Georgia’s secondary, with junior cornerback Kamari Lassiter having declared for the draft and nickelback Tykee Smith announcing Sunday afternoon that he will not use his final season eligibility.
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Bullard was the defensive MVP of both of Georgia’s College Football Playoff games last season. His hit on Marvin Harrison Jr. to prevent a touchdown may have been the deciding play of the Peach Bowl. Then he had two interceptions in the national championship win over TCU.
This year, Bullard moved from nickel back to safety, finishing third on the team in tackles and teaming with Malaki Starks as the Bulldogs limited explosive plays (allowing an SEC-low 42 plays of 20-plus yards).
Bullard was also in a leadership role and was named one of the four captains for the Orange Bowl.
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Where is Bullard projected to go?
Right now, the best bet is a second-day pick, potentially early on that second day. Bullard was No. 38 on The Athletic’s big board in mid-December.
Bullard’s versatility will be a plus, having played well at safety and nickelback. It is possible that another year at safety could have improved his stock, but that’s no sure thing, so Bullard decided now was the right time.
It was a remarkable career for Bullard, who was lightly recruited out of Milledgeville, Ga. He was the second-lowest ranked member of Georgia’s 2021 signing class and the 52nd-ranked player in the state of Georgia in the 247Sports Composite. But he ended up being a great find for Kirby Smart and his staff.
Where does Georgia turn at safety?
There are a few veteran options. David Daniel-Sisavanh, a junior, and JaCorey Thomas, a freshman, were Bullard’s top backups this year. Dan Jackson, the veteran walk-on with lots of experience, would also be an option if he returns for another year.
But the most intriguing possibility is KJ Bolden, the five-star recruit who flipped from Florida State to Georgia during the early signing period. Georgia would prefer not to start a true freshman, but Starks moved into the starting lineup midway through the 2022 season.
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There’s also a chance Georgia reaches into the transfer portal to get a veteran. The team got a visit from safety Trey Jones (Central Michigan), but he committed to Texas A&M.
At cornerback, Georgia returns sophomore Daylen Everette, who started this season but had some big plays against him as teams threw away from Lassiter. The Bulldogs should also bring back redshirt freshman Julian Humphrey, who subbed in for Everette before suffering a season-ending injury. Daniel Harris, a freshman, will also be a candidate at safety or cornerback. Harris announced on Christmas that he would be entering the portal but never did so.
There’s also another five-star candidate at cornerback: Ellis Robinson. That’s not a position Georgia wants to put a true freshman on the field, but Robinson could be an exception.
And at nickel, if Smith does leave, freshman Joenel Aguero was his top backup this season. Aguero came in as a safety and could also get a look there, especially if Smith returns.
Required reading
- The next Georgia defense: Younger, more dynamic and better?
- Georgia took the Orange Bowl seriously, but it was embarrassing for college football
- Georgia-Florida State Orange Bowl lacks juice: 12-team Playoff should’ve come year earlier
(Photo: Jeffrey Vest / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
