"You're not getting rich off community service," Neketta says. I had to thank God, he said in his postgame press conference. Preparing for an SEC opponent like Kentucky or Florida the same week as an engineering test gives me a headache just thinking about it. And while it marks the end of an era, Dean insists the overwhelming emotion will be pride. They noted beyond him having great intelligence that Dean also thinks incredibly quickly on his feet and can process information at an extremely high rate. That gave them confidence that he could handle anything they challenged him with, and better still they say, that he would also use his aptitude to impact those around him. He was inspired and wanted to help make prosthetics for veterans in need. Alabama averaged 494.6 offensive yards per game this season, and in the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 4 against Georgia, it gained 536 total yards. He sends shivers down the quarterback's spine when he pursues a sack. For players like Dean, NIL has added another dimension to their college experience. Dean is majoring in mechanical engineering. Forget his 40-time and bench press. His versatility will be attractive to NFL teams, and he may be a highly touted . Nakobe is both of those, said former Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning, now Oregons head coach. Dean's performance on the field is All-American worthy. He's a versatile man both on and off the field. One of the sports leading voices, he also is a sideline reporter for FOX College Football. "He's a great player, I like the way he was versatile, he's got the size to be an outside backer and rush off the edge, but also take a step back and be a middle linebacker, so his versatility speaks volumes," he said. He smiles. In 13 games this season, he has recorded 61 tackles, five sacks and two interceptions, including a pick-six. (Links below Apple listeners tap here)He practically gave his body to help Georgia win the title last season.I even wrote that his leadership skills and engineering prowess made him the Tony Stark of Georgia footballs National Championship defense.But I had no idea how accurate those passions are. Dean was a Mechanical Engineering major at the University of Georgia with a 3.55 GPA. Thats not something he would shy away from. You can adjust all of your cookie settings by navigating the tabs on the left hand side. Dont be surprised if Dean is running someones defense as a rookie. Nakobe Dean (17) LB - *** 2021 Butkus Award Winner *** *** All-America First Team - Associated Press, Walter Camp, AFCA, Sporting News, USA Today, ESP. Ready to get all your latest Georgia recruiting news in one place? Soon, in the middle of a play, he catches himself telling the linebacker where to go. Dean took that, and decided to build a career on both. The Monday night game in late November is on every screen, but tonight Dean's the main event, the reason everyone is there, wearing Georgia red, dropping off canned goods at the front of the store before coming up to say hello and take a picture. * 2.0 QB Sacks vs. Clemson, 2021 Thats definitely one less thing. Try a week on us. Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports, Sign up for the University of Georgia Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Thibodeaux had numerous NIL deals including his own NFT and cryptocurrency. Defeat to Alabama in the SEC Championship was softened not only by his individual accolade but also a standout semi-final performance in which he logged seven tackles, two for loss, one sack, five pressures and a forced fumble against Michigan. The Bulldogs' defense was arguably the best in the nation in 2021, led by Dean as the leader of the unit. One of my dreams was to be successful in the NFL so I feel like we'll be more proud than it being a weird feeling (being on different teams).". Heisman finalist C.J. Would love your thoughts, please comment. One prospect who could be the perfect fit in Foxboro is Georgia's Nakobe Dean. Dean sizzled in a Georgia defense arguably consisting of seven or eight first-round-worthy prospects last season as he collected 72 tackles, a team-high 10.5 tackles for loss, a second-most six sacks, 31 quarterback hurries, six pass breakups and a second-most two interceptions. Dean enrolled early in Athens and had an outstanding freshman season, despite being part of a deep linebacker corps. 225-pound junior who is majoring in mechanical engineering, Dean has started all 13 . "This is a kid who won a math competition in sixth grade that I didn't even know he had entered. When Nakobe Dean was being recruited to @GeorgiaFootball, he met all sorts of important people. I feel like I'll do whatever I need to do to be great and be one of the greatest ever to do it. The Butkus Award winner (best linebacker in nation) was also a finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, which goes annually to college football's defensive player of the year, but also gives equal weight to personal character. It wasn't about the money; Dean simply wanted to be the best in every avenue of his life. They won this game for us.. Where is Georgia? Was the team captain for the national champs. Dean's mother once referred to him as a "math wiz," recalling a time when he entered a math competition and won it. At both the homeless shelter and the Boys & Girls Club, staff members are quick to point out how, in the past, athletes from the area have been able to volunteer their time but not their resources in this fashion. Stroud 2023 NFL Draft profile, scouting report, Jalen Carter 2023 NFL Draft profile, scouting report, Bryce Young 2023 NFL Draft profile, scouting report, Hunt Report: Small-college players to watch at combine, Eagles select Nakobe Dean: Three things to know, Bubble Watch: It's late, but they have a shot, Top DL prospect Carter tied to crash that killed teammate, Morant accused of punching teen, threatening security, NFLPA team report cards: Commanders fail; Vikes No. His pressure to the quarterback is excellent, generating 31 of them in 2021 -- sixth among linebackers in the nation. The guy works extremely hard and watches a lot of film, asks a lot of questions, but its truly the way the guy has been wired since his recruitment, said Lanning. Our back is really fast and that play shouldve gone for at least 20. I really growing up it was like I was going to be an engineer or doctor or architect, those were kind of my things. Life is busier. From figuring out where the money is coming from, to where it's going and how it'll be taxed, to balancing it with all other requirements, football or not, players have realized they need a plan. High School: Horn Lake HS, coached by Brad Boyette2018 High School Butkus Award winner as the nations top prep LBselected for the 2019 Under Armour All-America Gamechosen as the 2018-19 Gatorade High School Football Player in Mississippi USA Today All-USA first team and listed at No. Its also going to be such an added luxury to have Dean going through the whole NFL experience with Jordan Davis, his good friend and former college teammate at Georgia. Dean was the only player in the nation with five sacks (had six sacks), two forced fumbles, and two interceptions in 2021. The junior has established himself as the leader on the best defense in college football by making plays all over the field. Why is NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks is looking forward to watching Georgia CB Kelee Ringo and Georgia TE Darnell Washington? Full name NAKOBE RASHOD DEAN.major: Mechanical Engineering.recipient of the Ken and Jody Jackson Family Scholarship, as well as the Ramsey Scholarship for Academic . You have to remember, he didnt even go through spring ball with us this past year because of injury. "My mom said I would have loved it.". First-round defensive tackle Jordan Davis will wear No. "Nakobe is 20 and has no kids," Neketta said. But Georgia stood above the rest. Coach Lanning used to always say, if youre good enough, youre old enough, Dean said. NEKETTA IS IN her element. NFL If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. "But towards the end of my senior year (in high school) I wasn't leaning towards being a doctor as much as I was engineering, because that was numbers and math and putting things together, things like that. Navigating it has been both a challenge and an opportunity. 6 Cincinnati in the 2021 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Welcome to the team !. Dubbed the "field general" by Georgia, the Bulldogs led the country in scoring defense (9.5 points per game) and red zone defense (60% of possessions resulted in scores) in the regular season. . A lot a lot. "Growing up, my mother, it was always education, education, education. He's the extra blitzer needed in Jonathan Gannon's defense. * 15 Tackles vs. Florida, 2020 >> Subscribe to Sports Spectrum Magazine for more stories where sports and faith connect <<. Within that, there would well be at least five first-rounders. Second-round center Cam Jurgens will wear No. Can the Lions fix their defense? Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba praises God after record-setting Rose Bowl The science subjects studied include thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, dynamics and electro-mechanical systems. Scout after scout raved about his instinctive play at the second level, which allowed him to move a tick faster than most to the ball. . The 21-year-old said he is two semesters away, about 33 more credit hours, from getting his degree. The Georgia Bulldogs have been nothing short of magnificent on the defensive side of the ball this season. I think thats just one less thing, with Nakobe behind Jordan, helping him get lined up and making the call in the huddle, there are so many new things that they are trying to get used to right now. He can be found with a book in his hand before going to bed, too. They'd go to nursing homes and bring gifts and spend time playing games with those there. 47. Not amazing. Chris Simms' 2022 NFL Draft top five quarterbacks. The original plan was to get 10 meals from the restaurant that was going to host Monday night's watch party and take them to the shelter. "Words can't describe how proud I am, just coming where I come from, growing up that's all we talked about, being able to make it out and then come back and give back to my community so I do look forward to going back whenever I can," he says. Kirby Smart's squad has surrendered just 53 points and 1,813 yards through eight games. It was a tall task, but the Bulldogs chances rode on their top-ranked defense and how well it could slow the Crimson Tides high-powered offense. Through Neketta's experience and their planning, the Deans have been able to establish a synergy between the NIL deals and the things they want to do with the money. The 2021 Butkus Award winner led the Bulldogs in tackles for loss with 10.5 and was second on the team in sacks with six. Linebacker Nakobe Dean is one of the primary reasons the Georgia defense has been a brick wall. "I hope to bring the winning mentality," he said. Associated Press, Walter Camp, AFCA, Sporting News, USA Today, ESPN, The Athletic, CBS ***.