Georgia's Greatest "Junkyard Dawg" Defense of All-Time

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Through the years the University of Georgia has produced some of the greatest defensive players of all-time. They have produced quality players at each position, unlike most schools who produce quality players at just a single position.

I have put together a defense that would have been dominant during any era or against any offense. It would be a defense that former coach Erik Russell would have been proud to call a “Junkyard Dawg” defense.

Defensive End - David Pollack 2001-2004

Pollack helped lead the Dawgs to the 2002 SEC championship, the first in 20 years. He finished his career 16th on Georgia’s career list with 283 tackles with 58 tackles for loss.

Pollack is currently Georgia’s all-time leader in sacks with 36. He also finished with 4 interceptions, with the most memorable one being against South Carolina in 2002 that proved to be the only touchdown of the game.

Pollack will go down as one of the most decorated Dawgs in Georgia history.

He joins Herschel Walker as the only two players to garner All-American honors three consecutive years.

Pollack was also a three-time All-SEC selection, a two-time Ted Hendricks Award winner (Top Defensive End), 2004 Lombardi Award winner (Top Lineman), 2004 Chuck Bednarik Award winner (Top Defensive Player), 2002 and 2004 SEC Player of the Year as voted by the coaches, and the 2004 AP SEC Defensive Player of the Year.

Defensive Tackle - Bill Stanfill 1966 to 1968

Stanfill was a member of two SEC Championship teams, 1966 and 1968. He was a All-American in 1968, as well as a three-time All-SEC selection.

Stanfill is currently the only player in Georgia history to win the Outland Trophy (Most Outstanding Lineman) in 1968.

Defensive Tackle - Richard Seymour 1997 to 2000

Seymour finished his career with 223 tackles, 10 sacks, and 26 tackles for loss. Seymour was an All-American in 2000, as well as a 2-time All-SEC selection in 1999 and 2000.

Defensive End - Freddie Gilbert 1980 to 1983

Gilbert was a member of the 1980 National Championship team and three SEC championship teams from 1980 to 1982.

He was an All-American in 1983 and a two-time All-SEC selection. Gilbert finished his career with 26 sacks which is currently fifth on Georgia’s career list.

Outside Linebacker - Jimmy Payne 1979 to 1982

Payne played both Defensive Tackle and Linebacker during his years at Georgia. He was a member of the 1980 National Championship team, as well as three SEC Championship teams from 1980 to 1982.

He was an All-American in 1982 and also a three-time All-SEC selection. Payne’s 28 career sacks currently rank third on Georgia’s all-time list.

Middle Linebacker - Ben Zambiasi 1974 to 1977

Zambiasi was a member of the 1976 SEC championship team. He was an All-American in 1976 and a three-time All-SEC selection.

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