The Georgia defense in recent years has been known for its big hits and even bigger plays.

While that may continue to be the case this year, the players will be a bit younger and the names will be less well-known.

The defense returns just three starters from last year’s team, including strong safety Kelin Johnson, cornerback Bryan Evans and defensive tackle Jeff Owens.

The Bulldogs will need to develop some continuity, especially up front. The loss of defensive ends Charles Johnson and Quentin Moses and cornerback Paul Oliver to the National Football League will be felt. If Georgia can’t find ways to put pressure on the quarterback, their inexperienced secondary will be exposed.

The youth will continue to be a question as the season goes on but the talent and ability will not.

Head coach Mark Richt has brought in some of the top recruiting classes in the nation the past couple of years, and those players are getting their chance. Last year alone, nine freshmen defensive players redshirted.

One of last year’s best defensive players was Oliver. While some expected him to go pro after last season, he decided to stay for his senior season.

However, after spring practice, the team was shocked to learn he would not be returning due to academics.

With Oliver’s departure, true sophomore Asher Allen and senior Thomas Flowers will split time at the position. Allen played in every game last season and recorded 24 tackles behind Oliver at corner.

“I had a great time last year soaking in everything he did out here at practice. Hopefully we can all benefit off each other this year,” Allen said.

On the other side, Bryan Evans returns to start at cornerback. The Jacksonville, Fla. native is entering his redshirt sophomore season after starting four games at corner last year, recording 26 tackles and one sack.

“We have a lot of young guys in the secondary, but we’re more together than we were last year,” Evans said.

Sophomore Prince Miller and true freshman Vance Cuff also will get playing time at corner.

At strong safety, Kelin Johnson is returning for his senior season and is a vocal leader of the inexperienced defense.

He will be in for most of the plays, but there is plenty of young talent behind him on the depth chart in Quintin Banks and Antavious Coates.

C.J. Byrd is listed as the starter at free safety. Byrd will share time with Reshad Jones, a redshirt freshman who was a five-star prospect coming out of high school.

When Oliver left the team, there was talk of moving Jones to corner to get him in the game, but the coaches and Jones alike prefer him to stay at free safety.

“I think they prefer to keep me in the middle of the field because I’m a ball hawking safety. I like to go get the ball where ever the ball is,” Jones said.

Linebacker this year is a position with some veteran players but very young backups. Brandon Miller, Darius Dewberry, and Dannell Ellerbe will be the starters, but they are backed by six freshmen and a junior.

Miller started five games last season, Dewberry started one and Ellerbe has never started.

If the linebacker corps is going to be successful, the guys will need to have some big games to help out an equally green defensive line.

If there’s one group that may have the biggest shoes to fill this year, it is the defensive line.

Jeff Owens is the lone returning starter on the line and looks to have a big year, as he made the Bednarik Award watch list.

Surrounding him on the line will be Marcus Howard and Rod Battle on the ends, with redshirt sophomore Kade Weston likely filling the other defensive tackle spot.

While two junior college transfers, Jarius Wynn and Corvey Irvin, will help provide some depth to the line, very few others have any experience.

As a defensive leader, Johnson knows the talent this group has, and he is ready to prove the critics wrong.

“We believe in ourselves and we know how hard we worked this summer and in the spring and the mat drills and the spring game. That started the season right there. That’s key,” Johnson said.