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In an unexpected move, senior linebacker Tim Kimbrough, Georgia’s top returning tackler from 2015, is finished as a member of the Bulldogs.
Kimbrough was notably missing from the team’s practice Wednesday, and Smart revealed that the linebacker was on a “leave of absence” at his post-practice news conference.
Following that announcement, the story continued to develop. Kimbrough’s father indicated that his son would be leaving the program, and the senior linebacker backed those statements on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/TK42_GTL/status/763517931980324864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
I Love the UGA Fans! I do everything for y'all
— Tim Kimbrough Jr. (@TimKTheRace) August 10, 2016
https://twitter.com/TK42_GTL/status/763730586787655681
I had 4 different sets of coaches while I was there and I was good with each coaching staff.. Idk what happened this year
— Tim Kimbrough Jr. (@TimKTheRace) August 11, 2016
The move leaves Georgia precariously thin at the inside linebacker position. Primarily a backup his first two seasons, Kimbrough started seven games last season and finished third with 67 total tackles.
Despite the experience that comes from playing for several coaching staffs, Kimbrough looked to be further down the depth chart entering this season. During fall practices, he had been working with the second-team unit while junior Reggie Carter and sophomore Natrez Patrick ran with the first team.
Kimbrough’s tweets about the staff only support the belief that there was tension with the new regime. It’s not uncommon for a new staff to shake things up at various positions and value different qualities.
Still, losing a proven player like Kimbrough is never a good thing. Carter has started only one game in his Georgia career, as a freshman in 2013, and Patrick started twice last season.
Behind those two, the Bulldogs are left with sophomores Roquan Smith and Juwan Taylor, senior Ryne Rankin and freshman Jaleel Laguins.
Three starts between the team’s six inside linebackers is not the most comforting thought for Bulldogs fans, but there is hope.
Carter was in line to play a big role last season before an injury ended his campaign. He’s shown flashes of potential, and should be able to produce at a rate similar to Kimbrough if he remains healthy in 2016.
Patrick, a talented 4-star recruit from 2015, came on strong at the end of last season. Earning his first career start against Georgia Tech, the true freshman tallied four tackles, including a sack and two tackles for a loss. He then started the Bulldogs’ bowl game against Penn State and racked up another four tackles.
Another highly-touted linebacker prospect from 2015, Smith looks to be the primary sub for Georgia this season. Like Patrick, Smith also registered four tackles against Penn State, included 1.5 tackles for a loss. The duo of Patrick and Smith could be in line to man the interior linebacker positions moving forward. Both will gain significant experience this season.
Behind those three, however, Georgia could be in a bit of trouble. Rankin has been primarily a special teams player during his career in Athens, and it’s too early to tell what will become of Taylor and Laguins.
This, ultimately, is how Kimbrough’s departure will have the biggest effect on the defense. Attrition is not a matter of “if” but “when” in SEC football, and Georgia is now without a veteran player at an important position.
Sure, entering the season with two veteran players like Carter and Kimbrough at the inside linebacker position would have been ideal, but it’s also apparent that the staff had a different plan in place. It’s telling that Patrick was getting starting reps in practice ahead of Kimbrough, and even more telling that Smith took a share of the first team reps when Patrick missed some practice time Tuesday.
That moment might have been the writing on the wall for Kimbrough, but makes it evident that Georgia plans to move forward with Patrick and Smith at the position. The two are certainly talented enough to compete in the SEC, but that isn’t the problem.
The Bulldogs are about to enter a season-long battle without an experienced backup.
It’s possible Kimbrough wouldn’t have received much playing time, but now Georgia doesn’t have the luxury of calling upon a player who has proven his worth in college football’s toughest conference.
William McFadden covers the University of Georgia for Saturday Down South. For news on everything happening between the hedges, follow him on Twitter @willmcfadden.
