Associated Press, Walter Camp, AFCA, Sporting News, USA Today, ESPN, The Athletic, CBS ***. Skip to main content . Hes heard so many calls of Nakobe making the call in the huddle and him executing the call.. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. After Georgia won its national semifinal matchup over Michigan to advance to the national title game, Dean was asked what it would be like for a boy from Horn Lake to play for a national championship. Neketta Dean, Nakobe's mother, rewarded him $100 each semester for every perfect transcript. As Dean got older, he realized that they too had been the beneficiaries of other people's service when he was younger. 1 state ranking and the 2018 MHSAA Class 6A State title, the first in Horn Lakes history2018 Mississippi Mr. Football for Class 6A2018 National Lineman of the Year by the Touchdown Club of Atlantahad 175 total tackles, along with 26 tackles for loss, seven sacks, three INTs and two forced fumbles as a senioralso had nine TDs as an RB for the Eaglesselected to represent the Team Elite team in Nikes The Opening 2018 Finalstallied 147 total stops, 25 TFLs and nine sacks as a juniorracked up 438 total tackles, 61.5 tackles for loss, 18 sacks, six INTs and 12 total TDs in his Horn Lake careeralso competed on varsity baseball, basketball and track teams at different points in high school. As a senior, Dean racked up 175 tackles, seven sacks, three interceptions, and scored nine touchdowns at running back. Oh, and that straight-A streak? "I know. Competed in football, baseball, basketball and track in high school. Keyontae Johnson 'thanking God every day' for second chance at Kansas State after collapse. "Because we only went over it one time.". Make sure to follow along onTwitter(@DawgsHQ), onFacebookand onYouTubefor all the Dawg news you need now! You can adjust all of your cookie settings by navigating the tabs on the left hand side. I have the passion to learn new things daily. It's going to mean a lot. When the Philadelphia Eagles drafted Nakobe Dean, they knew about his hard-nosed playing style and confident leadership. There are hundreds of canned goods sprawled out on a table outside of the Boys & Girls Club in Athens from the watch party the night before. Please check your email for a confirmation. After all, the junior linebacker has a 3.5 GPA while majoring in mechanical engineering for a reason. Dean is majoring in mechanical engineering, but that did not stop him from picking an Alabama hat after the national championship. A lot a lot. Within that, there would well be at least five first-rounders. When Horn Lake made it to the state title game that season, Dean was reading opponents' plays to perfection. Rookie Numbers#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/iV7TAxXVba, Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) May 6, 2022. No matter what kind of resources their family had, her grandmother used to make them donate their time, at the very least. Dean will fall below some of the size thresholds that certain teams have at linebacker, especially with a linebacker in the first round, but his key, read and flow skills are outstanding with the open-field instincts to impact the game in different ways, said The Athletics NFL draft analyst Dane Brugler. To watch him play football is to understand that though the grass under his feet is the same as his opponents, and even his teammates, he is operating on a different plane altogether. Preparing for an SEC opponent like Kentucky or Florida the . One of my dreams was to be successful in the NFL so I feel like we'll be more proud than it being a weird feeling (being on different teams).". After the game ended, Dean took a knee and bowed his head on the field. I even wrote that his leadership skills and engineering prowess made him the Tony Stark of Georgia footballs National Championship defense. The award honors faculty who have demonstrated an outstanding record of research achievements and publications during academic year 2021-2022 . (Dean) ran with him stride for stride and then makes the tackle in open space. From figuring out where the money is coming from, to where it's going and how it'll be taxed, to balancing it with all other requirements, football or not, players have realized they need a plan. Anytime somebody asks me that I kind of just talk about the passion I have for the game. Along with his smarts, Dean believes he can bring plenty more to an NFL locker room. Dean became the first ninth-grader Boyette ever started on varsity. . Members of the Bulldogs defense put on a dazzling display, from 304-pound Devonte Wyatts blazing 4.77 40 to 6-foot-5, 272-pound fellow defensive lineman Travon Walker running a 4.51 40, vertical jumping 35-5 inches, and timing a 6.89 in the 3-Cone, to 230-pound linebacker Channing Tindall running a 4.47 40 and vertical jumping 42 inches, to 6-foot-6, 341-pound behemoth Jordan Davis clocking an unbelievable 4.78 40 with a 32-inch vertical and a 10-3 broad jump. Then you decompress, watch film, and then, you have to go do something hard like that math. Schumann returning to Georgia, Georgia's Nakobe Dean, Jordan Davis can transform Eagles' defense, Barnwell: Georgia just produced the most valuable college draft class ever. The Butkus Award winner (best linebacker in nation) was also a finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, which goes annually to college football's defensive player of the year, but also gives equal weight to personal character. But Dean does not need to tell you that. The Georgia Bulldogs have been nothing short of magnificent on the defensive side of the ball this season. As Dean stands at the advent of a new era for college athletes, he is playing out an ideal year in Athens. This meant every time there was a community event, everyone knew Neketta's kids would be there. He has been privy to the evolution of the off-ball linebacker and the added necessity to be able to join the line of scrimmage, operate off the edge, or retreat into coverage. And listen to the DawgsHQ crew on our podcast Dawg Walk Talk onSpotifyandApple Podcasts. It's why he eventually wants to start a scholarship at his high school, and use his engineering degree to make prosthetics for athletes who need them. "You're not getting rich off community service," Neketta says. Classes are harder. Heisman finalist C.J. Daily Devotional: Tuesday, February 28 - How Bright Do You Shine? Youre running and hitting for two or three hours. For players like Dean, NIL has added another dimension to their college experience. "So I used that, I actually wanted to go into the field of prosthetics with it. Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 6, 2022. Dean could miss the entire 2022 season, but the risk was worth the reward for the Eagles. currently has a 3.55 grade-point average in mechanical engineering at . It's unmatched not just on the field, but in life. He had a script out there every day, wearing his helmet and shoulder pads. Sign up for daily stories delivered to your inbox. Nakobe is different in general. Both his parents are Gulf War vets, he. Alabama QB Bryce Young wins Heisman, thanks his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. His versatility will be attractive to NFL teams, and he may be a highly touted prospect in the 2022 NFL draft. The New England Patriots have multiple needs heading to this month's NFL Draft, inside linebacker perhaps chief among them. https://ugawire.usatoday.com/2021/06/26/uga-football-linebacker-nakobe-dean-georgia-bulldogs/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Now, though, Dean can do all of those things and actually start and help fund internships for student-athletes right away, while also discussing the possibility of investing in the company in the near future. I'd get his exams back and it would be 27 out of 27 correct. Young threw for 369 yards and a touchdown, but he also tossed two interceptions his first collegiate game with multiple picks the second of which was returned 79 yards for a touchdown to seal the victory for the Bulldogs. He sees that part of his skill set translating to the gridiron. "But as far as everything in the classroom translating to everything on the field, I feel like the study habits and retaining information helps me because it's just like me trying to study certain equations and everything or how to do a certain problem. "My mom said I would have loved it.". #Eagles rookie LB Nakobe Dean said he will be a full participant during the team's rookie minicamp this weekend. He was inspired and wanted to help make prosthetics for veterans in need. At 8 years old, he was already thinking in percentages. Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba praises God after record-setting Rose Bowl UGA Football Star Nakobe Dean - 4.0 GPA, Mechanical Engineering Major. Through Neketta's experience and their planning, the Deans have been able to establish a synergy between the NIL deals and the things they want to do with the money. Deans presence is critical for Georgias defense. * 15 Tackles vs. Florida, 2020 Smartville is a rapidly growing renewable energy company located in sunny Carlsbad, CA. But the player who was the best on that defense, middle linebacker Nakobe Dean, didnt work out in Indy although according to sources, he still wowed some NFL coaches. Was the team captain for the national champs. He thrives off a regimented schedule and loves to learn. Can counter negative plays on film with splash plays. Listing for: L3Harris. But Georgia stood above the rest. Every step of the way, I thanked Him for putting me in this position, putting my team in this position, and I just thank Him for everything.. His reward was the Butkus Award as the best linebacker in college football. So, when Dean arrived in Athens and the time came to pick his major, he wanted to maximize his educational experience. With the help of scholarships, students can cut their tuition and other expenses.Newcastle upon Tyne, where Newcastle University is located, has a superb quality of life, and it is easy to find affordable accommodation. "I have had no D1 athletes on that side of my family, nobody go to school or college to play sport so it was all education growing up, it was never the thought of getting school paid for through sports. A mechanical engineering major, Dean carries a 3.55 grade point average. Nakobe Dean still has a couple semesters left to complete his mechanical engineering degree at Georgia.He still has a desire to finish it and maybe even pre-med for all the right reasons.Deans mother is a veteran of the United States military.While Dean grew up, he saw how often she visited the VA and spoke with disabled veterans.Those interactions shaped what Nakobe Dean wants to study and build a career around even, potentially, while he plays football in the NFL.Growing up, it was going to be engineer, doctor or architect. The jump from no compensation to millions was, at times, a culture shock. Georgia stifled Alabama and Heisman-winning quarterback Bryce Young, collecting a 33-18 victory for Georgias first football national championship since 1980. Dean played the most snaps (76%) of any linebacker on Georgias roster last season. Dean had a 3.5 GPA at Georgia in mechanical engineering, but he remains about two semesters shy of his degree, which he has said he intends to complete. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. The Dean kids would not only shadow their mom through her endeavors, but get involved, too. Hes a versatile man both on and off the field. From providing food to the homeless, to street cleanups and more, Georgia LB Nakobe Dean, with the help of his mother, has made it a priority to give back to Athens and his hometown of Horn Lake, MS. Giving back has always been something near and dear to me.@sportsiren pic.twitter.com/YU4wwIM4rA, ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 10, 2022. His priority is to be the best player he can possibly be and to be the best student. Dean underwent surgery for his labrum injury following the Peach Bowl in early January. Those two soldiers have been through quite a few wars together. Three trades in a chaotic top five, The new law changing service academy football, and the coaches pushing back, Realignment chatter: How the Pac-12 holds the key to it all. "Growing up, I was always able to understand the little stuff coaches wanted me to do on certain plays quicker than most.". . "None of this would have been possible or as impactful without the five to 10 NIL deals he has," Neketta says. 17 would have been able to visit the engineering facility, make informal connections and even get the ball rolling on the idea of an internship program once he made it to the NFL. It was kind of my thing. Linebacker Nakobe Dean is one of the primary reasons the Georgia defense has been a brick wall. I think thats just one less thing, with Nakobe behind Jordan, helping him get lined up and making the call in the huddle, there are so many new things that they are trying to get used to right now. So shes always going to the VA and everything. Coach Lanning used to always say, if youre good enough, youre old enough, Dean said. The science subjects studied include thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, dynamics and electro-mechanical systems. He boasts the best speed among linebackers in the 2022 class, and that's a quality New England certainly could use on the defensive side of the ball. The first two years provide a good grounding in the broad fundamentals of mechanical engineering science and engineering design. He tackles with perfect form. "And so I wanted them to see each other in a different environment.". He plans on majoring in either chemical or mechanical engineering in college. . Georgia junior inside linebacker Nakobe Dean was the surprise recipient of the 37th Butkus Award on Sunday. He narrowed his choices to engineering and pre-med because of his interest in prosthetics. Stroud keeps God first as he leads Ohio State. As the Deans walk outside, the woman from the shelter turns to another man who's standing by the door. A day later, another NFL coach gushed about Dean, describing him as everyone youre looking for mentally in a linebacker., You can tell hes really been well-coached, said the coach, but you can also tell hes just a super bright kid, and it really translates on the field for him. @NakobeDean decided to to study engineering in college after visiting VA hospitals with his mother, who is a veteran. The defense that ranked first in the country in points allowed (9.5) and second in the nation in yards allowed (253.9) held the reigning national champs to just one touchdown. "I feel like in high school they kind of asked that of me, to be able to cover running backs, to be able to cover receivers and stop the run and things of that sort, so when I got to college I got the same thing, but amplified, and I feel like in the league it will be the same thing," he said. Sometimes youre around a player that is book smart but maybe not football smart. "That instinct is just in me now.". Sports was just a hobby growing up until I got to high school. Dean reported for Eagles rookie minicamp on Friday with a wide smile on his face. On a particular key play in that game, he recognized the motion the quarterback made and broke from his position to cover a surprise wheel route pass perfectly. The 2020 Butkus Award semifinalist was the Bulldogs' leading tackler last season with 71 stops, including a team-high seven tackles in the win over No. Jelani Woods is an athletic marvel - can he succeed in the NFL? With serving others being a regular occurrence during his childhood, Dean continued serving others even when the NCAAs new name/image/likeness deals allowed him to earn money. Most definitely, Sirianni said of their relationship helping with the NFL transition. Listed on 2023-02-18. Football . "But towards the end of my senior year (in high school) I wasn't leaning towards being a doctor as much as I was engineering, because that was numbers and math and putting things together, things like that. The day of the watch party, while Dean was busy with practice and film sessions, Neketta was cooking up her own plan, trying to figure out how they could squeeze every bit out of their resources. I feel like I bring that winning mentality and that leadership to whatever team, and that passion and that energy that I play with.". The defending Super Bowl champions Los Angeles Rams have released a Hollywood-style trailer ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft. Dean valued academics as much as competing for a national championship when choosing his college destination. "Growing up, my mother, it was always education, education, education. MechSE professor Katie Matlack was named one of this year's recipients of The Grainger College of Engineering Dean's Award for Excellence in Research. He is expected to return for the start of summer practice and the 2021 season. 2020: Semifinalist for the Butkus Award, which recognizes the nations best linebackermade great progress in his second seasonstarted all 10 games and played 76 percent of Georgias total defensive snaps in the regular season, tops among linebackersthe Bulldogs' leading tacklerwith 71 total stops and 13 QB pressurescareer-high 15 tackles vs. Florida, 14 stops in the Bulldogs' win at Kentucky and 12 more in victory over Mississippi Stateteam-high seven stopsin Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl win over Cincinnatialso had four QB pressures vs. the Bearcatsone of his seven tackles was a key 2nd-down stop on UC's final drivehad four tackles and a QB pressure in win over Auburnthree solo stops and a QB pressure vs. Tennesseeled team in tackles with a then-career-best seven stops, including an assisted tackle for a 2-yard loss vs. Arkansasalso credited with two QB pressures vs. the Razorbackshad five stops, including a QB sack for a 7-yard loss, and three QB pressures vs. Alabamaearned a spot on the SEC Academic Honor Roll for Fall 2020. 6 Cincinnati in the 2021 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Job specializations: Engineering. It's just like trying to learn the playbook. Regardless, he knows it it just the start. Dean, a mechanical engineering major with a 3.5 GPA, was the first name mentioned when I asked one coach what was the most impressive interview hed done at the combine. My mom is a big Belichick fan," Dean said. Would love your thoughts, please comment. Georgia's Nakobe Dean breaks up a pass, Jan. 10, 2022. Those doubled once Georgia got to No. (Links below Apple listeners tap here)He practically gave his body to help Georgia win the title last season.I even wrote that his leadership skills and engineering prowess made him the Tony Stark of Georgia footballs National Championship defense.But I had no idea how accurate those passions are. Going to the DawgsHQ crew on our website a brick wall off community service, '' Neketta says got high! It. `` vs. Florida, 2020 Smartville is a rapidly growing renewable energy company located in sunny,... 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