5 Georgia stars who won’t be back and their replacements for 2023
By John Buhler
Kelee Ringo can head to the NFL as a two-time champion and Georgia legend
Like Stetson Bennett IV, defensive back Kelee Ringo will forever have a place in Georgia football lore. His national title-clinching pick-six of Bryce Young last year made him a UGA football legend. While Ringo did have a proclivity of drawing flags from the officials, he played his best football when it was required. Ringo can turn his attention to the NFL as a two-time champion in 2023.
Though he has an outside shot of being a top-10 pick, Ringo is almost certainly coming off the board inside of the top 20. His talent in the defensive backfield is simply undeniable. Given all that he has gone through as a young man, mental toughness is something he possesses that will make whatever NFL team that drafts him even better. Ringo can be a multi-time Pro Bowler in the NFL.
Of all the great defensive backs who have played for Kirby Smart, Ringo may be the most talented.
Georgia replacement for Kelee Ringo: Nyland Green
As it is with the defensive line, it is not going to be a quid pro quo replacement in the back-end of Georgia’s defense. One would expect for Javon Bullard and Malaki Starks to see their roles in the secondary expand even more. All the while, keep an eye on Nyland Green getting more run outside the numbers with Ringo turning pro. Replacing a legend is never easy, but it must be done, alright.
Given that Smart is a former defensive back himself, Green should be put in a position to succeed.