Andy Harrison | The Red & BlackGeorgia inside linebacker Monty Rice (32) during the Bulldogs’ game against Samford at Sanford Stadium in Athens on Sept. 16, 2017. 

Each week, The Red & Black’s sports desk will break down Georgia football’s position groups. This week is a deep dive of the linebacker position.

It’s no secret that one of Georgia’s best players last season, Roquan Smith, is irreplaceable. The sentiment when this years linebackers like Juwan Taylor and Monty Rice spoke to the media during spring practice is that there is no way to truly replace Smith.

But what Georgia hopes to do this season is find guys at the position that can step up and produce collectively. Here is a look at the depth of Georgia’s linebacking corps. 

Leaders (inside linebacker): Coach Kirby Smart indicated that there will be competition at various positions in fall camp, and the inside linebacker spot could be one of those spots. 

There are a few players returning this season with game experience, including Taylor, Rice and Patrick. Patrick has the most experience, but will have to work his way back into a starting role after his off the field issues in 2017.

Look for Rice to compete for the job that Smith had last season. The rising sophomore had 14 tackles at the G-Day game April 21, and will hope to continue that success when practice starts on Aug. 3.

Leaders (outside linebacker): This position is another spot where since players like Davin Bellamy and Lorenzo Carter left, there are opportunities for new leaders to emerge. 

The biggest name that comes up in discussion is senior D’Andre Walker. Walker had 5.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss in 2017. He is expected to take on a bigger role his senior year and hopes to lead the younger players at the outside linebacker position.

Next man up (inside linebacker): Nate McBride has yet to make an impact on Georgia’s defense since he arrived last season as a freshman, but with so many leaders gone and spots up for grabs, McBride has a chance to make an impact on the inside. 

He primarily has played on special teams but hopes to compete for a bigger role this fall.

Next man up (outside linebacker): The next man up at this position could be a number of guys, but for this breakdown, it’s rising sophomore Walter Grant. Grant played sparingly last season, but Georgia hopes to see more out of the native from Cairo, Georgia. 

In 2017, Grant played in all 15 games and had nine tackles.

Freshman to watch (inside linebacker): One of the freshmen for Georgia at the inside linebacker position that Georgia fans should keep an eye on is Channing Tindall. Tindall is native of Columbia, South Carolina, and chose to play for the Bulldogs. 

At 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, Tindall is a big body and if he has an impressive fall practice, don’t be surprised if the freshman finds a way onto the field in 2018.

Freshman to watch (outside linebacker): Just like the inside linebacker position, there are several younger guys that can make an impact at the outside linebacker spot. 

One of those guys is former Rome high school star Adam Anderson. Anderson played defensive end at Rome High School, but is capable of playing the outside linebacker position.

Rome was a two-time state champion with Anderson there, playing against tough competition including fellow teammate Justin Fields when Fields was at Harrison High School.

His size (6-foot-5, 210 pounds) is similar to that of Carter and former Bulldog Leonard Floyd, making him a viable option to carry on Georgia’s tradition of having long outside linebackers that can rush the passer.