DawgNation now has five staffers who cover the Georgia football team from every angle: Beat, live streams, photos, podcasts, recruiting, etc. The “Nickel coverage” aim is simple: 1) Present a topic; 2) Offer a reasoned response; 3) Share a brisk statement to support the informed opinion. 

DawgNation is growing.

It means the staff here has amplified the “Cover 4” concept which was in regular rotation for this feature in 2018. We now have five staffers who cover the UGA athletics program on a full-time basis and that means the focus shifts from a “Cover 4” to a nickel look with five guys now manning the secondary here.

The name has changed but the quick in-and-out game here still remains with this feature.

The first “DawgNation nickel coverage” question of 2019: What is the biggest “Wow” moment so far during spring drills? 

These takes are designed to come out quicker than former Bulldog Mecole Hardman Jr. ran the 40 earlier this year at the NFL combine.

Brandon Adams: Early reviews on early enrollees

Jermaine Johnson-Nolan Smith-Georgia football-UGA football” width=”1920″ height=”1200″ /> DawgNation Daily has liked what he has heard so far about all of the early enrollees, including Jermaine Johnson and Nolan Smith. (DawgNation photo illustration)/Dawgnation)

The why from Adams: “It seems based on Kirby Smart’s comments that Nolan Smith, Jermaine Johnson, Nakobe Dean and others have seemingly been as good as advertised so far.”

Chip Towers: Kirby Smart’s belief in the secondary

Chip Towers feels that DawgNation has heard some good things about the back end of the Bulldogs defense so far this spring. (Jeff Sentell/DawgNation)/Dawgnation)

The take from Towers: “The defensive focus this year is on “creating havoc plays” and Smart has mentioned a couple of times that he believes the Bulldogs’ accumulation of talent in the “back end” might allow the defense to do more things to create pressure and negative-yardage plays.”

Mike Griffith: Demetris Robertson stepping it up 

Mike Griffith feels that Bulldogs fans should be encouraged by the practice reports coming out regarding the play of former 5-star WR Demetris Robertson in spring drills. (Jeff Sentell/DawgNation)/Dawgnation)

The why from On the Beat: “Georgia lost 4 of its top 5 pass catchers, and Robertson has game-breaking ability on the perimeter the Bulldogs will need to beat elite competition.“

Connor Riley: Optimism on replacing Deandre Baker

The Bulldogs will need a strong 2019 campaign from Eric Stokes to help to replace the plays made and plays eliminated by Deandre Baker over the last three seasons in Athens. (Jeff Sentell/DawgNation)/Dawgnation)

The why from Good Day UGA: “Baker was the best defensive back in college football last season. Replacing him won’t be an easy task. But based off what Smart had to say about Eric Stokes, Tyson Campbell, D.J. Daniel and even Tyrique Stevenson, fans should feel comfortable about Georgia’s secondary post-Baker.”

Jeff Sentell: 5-stars Nakobe Dean and Nolan Smith living up to the hype

Nolan Smith was the nation’s No. 1 prospect on the 247Sports Composite ratings for the 2019 cycle. (Jeff Sentell/DawgNation)/Dawgnation)

The why: “The practice reports I’ve picked up on Dean and Smith fulfill the hype of why they were rated so highly. Guys like that should create a buzz, turn heads and push for reps. Dean and Smith are doing that for a group of ILBs and OLBs that can go head-to-head with any unit in the nation. They will just keep getting better over the next three years.”