Around the Dawghouse will bring you daily updates from what people and publications are saying about Georgia, from inside and outside of Athens. 

Kirk Herbstreit thinks highly of two D’Andres

Kirk Herbstreit might be the most recognized face/voice in all of college football. And ESPN published Herbstreit’s list of “The Herbie’s” were he picks some of his favorite players for the upcoming season. And under the “Breakout stars” category both D’Andre Walker and D’Andre Swift made the cut.

Walker figures to take on a much bigger role in the defense due to the departures of Lorenzo Carter and Davin Bellamy at the outside linebacker position. Last season, Walker ranked second on the team in sacks with 5.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss. If he can improve on those numbers he could be talked about in a similar light to Roquan Smith.

As for Swift, most Georgia fans remember his huge touchdown run against Auburn in the SEC Championship game. Despite backing up Sony Michel and Nick Chubb last year, he averaged 7.6 yards per carry while also hauling in 17 passes.

Like Walker, a larger workload could turn Swift into one of the most well-known stars in college football.

Herbstreit isn’t alone in raving about Swift, as former Arkansas and Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt listed him as a top Heisman Trophy candidate.

Some other notes and tidbits from Herbstreit’s preseason predictions.

  • Said Monty Rice had the biggest shoes to fill
  • Gave Demetris Robertson the “Welcome Back” award, due to his injury from last year
  • Said the Georgia RB is a question that isn’t really a question
  • Called Sanford Stadium one of the “Best-looking fields”
  • Predicted Alabama to beat Georgia in the SEC title game

Aaron Murray has high expectations for the Bulldogs

Aaron Murray is one of the most beloved Georgia players in recent memory. And the former quarterback has very high expectations for the Bulldogs in 2018.

How high? Well he expects them to beat Alabama, as he said in a video for CBS Sports.

“I gotta go with the Bulldogs, and that’s not just because I went there. With what Kirby has done in recruiting and building this roster. I’m anticipating Georgia to win the East, Alabama to win the West and they’ll see each other in Atlanta.”

Murray gave another big reason why he thinks the Bulldogs can take down the Crimson Tide.

“These guys feel like they can compete with Alabama, which is sometimes the hardest thing to do in your mind.

The last time Georgia beat Alabama came all the way back in 2007, but Murray is very confident that the Bulldogs can accomplish said feat this season.

Dawgs figure to dominate draft

We’ve touched on the NFL draft a few times this week already but ESPN’s Todd McShay released his position rankings for the 2019 NFL Draft and there were three Bulldogs who all made the cut.

McShay had Walker rated as the No. 2 outside linebacker and he could eventually become No. 1 if he makes the most of this upcoming season.

Senior linebacker Natrez Patrick was rated on the No. 3 inside linebacker in the class. While he does have some off-the-field questions to answer, Patrick has been a steady linebacker for Georgia and worked very well in tandem with Roquan Smith last year.

Finally, cornerback Deandre Baker is rated as the No. 2 cornerback and as of right now is the only Georgia player who will almost assuredly be drafted in the first round. Earlier in the week, McShay rated Baker as his No. 17 overall player.

Georgia great calls it a career

On Wednesday, one DGD decided to call it a career, as former Georgia defensive end Charles Johnson announced his retirement from the NFL.

Johnson spent his entire NFL career with the Carolina Panthers and ranks second in franchise history in sacks and in forced fumbles. From 2010-13, Johnson had at least 9.0 sacks a year, and in 2012 racked up a career best 12.5.

In Johnson’s final season at Georgia, he racked up 9.0 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss for Georgia and received second team All-SEC honors.