Sports

5 Greatest Defensive Players in Georgia Football History

By Eric W. Bolin Athlon Sports

Updated May 31, 2026 10:03 AM

One of the most interesting facts about the list of the five greatest Georgia defensive players in history is that no one decade makes the list more than once.

Make no mistake, it could have. And the same list written by others may not have that designation. After all, with three national championships and 16 conference titles, the Bulldogs are one of the most successful teams in college football history.

Such success brings superstardom. On this list, you'll find sack leaders, interception leaders, and two-way phenoms. And while it's easy to disagree with some slots, we're betting you have the same No. 1 and No. 2.

Honorable Mentions

DE Vernon "Catfish" Smith (1929-1931)
DL Bill Stanfill (1966-1968)
LB Ben Zambiasi (1974-1977)
CB Scott Woerner (1977-1980)
DL Richard Seymour (1997-2000)
S Thomas Davis (2002-2004)
LB Roquan Smith (2015-2017)

5. LB Jarvis Jones (2010-2012)

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jarvis Jones fights off a block against the Buffalo Bulls at Sanford Stadium. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

With two of the three all-time highest single-season sack totals and the accomplishment coming in just two seasons on campus, period, it's hard to leave Jones off this list.

Jones began at Southern California but left after medical issues. Georgia cleared him and Jones racked up 28 sacks in 2011 and 2012, earning All-American honors both times. In his second, and last, season, Jones won the Jack Lambert Trophy as the nation's top linebacker and still ranks third in Georgia history in sacks.

4. S Jake Scott (1966-1968)

A College Football Hall of Famer who played for the Bulldogs from 1966 to 1968, Scott still ranks tied at the top of Georgia's all-time interceptions ranking.

He was named a first-team All-SEC defensive back in 1967 after picking off six passes, but one-upped things the next year, intercepting 10, setting the school record. Scott was named a consensus All-American that season and SEC Player of the Year.

3. S Terry Hoage (1980-1983)

Hoage's career at Georgia is probably too long ago for a lot of readers of this list. But he finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting as a safety in 1983 en route to earning SEC Male Athlete of the Year honors in 1984.

That didn't come out of nowhere. He was a key player for the Bulldogs immediately, blocking a kick in the 1980 national championship as Georgia beat Notre Dame for the title, 17-10. By his junior season, Hoage was an All-American, and he was named such again his senior season.

Few stats were kept for defensive players in those days, but his 12 interceptions in the 1982 season remain a Georgia record.

2. LB David Pollack (2001-2004)

It's almost easier to name the trophies and honors Pollack didn't earn at Georgia than to go through his list of accomplishments.

He's a two-time consensus All-American, two-time Ted Hendricks Award winner, three-time first-team All-SEC selection, and one-time winner of the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Lott Trophy, the Lombardi Award along with first-team All-American honors in 2003. And no player in UGA history has more than his 36 sacks.

1. CB Champ Bailey (1996-1998)

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Champ Bailey in action against the Florida Gators at Alltel Stadium. RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports

If you want to argue for dropping Bailey on this list because of a lot his legacy has to do with his offensive and special teams abilities, fine. We can't talk you out of that.

Make no mistake, though, that the Bronko Nagurski Award isn't given to the nation's best all-around player. It's given to college football's best defender. Over three seasons with the Bulldogs, Bailey logged 147 tackles, eight interceptions, 27 pass break-ups, and two fumble recoveries. The Associated Press named him a second-team all-time All-American.

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This story was originally published May 31, 2026 at 9:49 AM.