Next Pats Podcast:Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean explains why he'd thrive with the Patriots |Listen & Follow|Watch on YouTube, "Growing up, my mother's team was the Patriots. Welcome to the team !. There was also some financial incentive for doing well academically. I feel like my passion is second to none and the effort I play with.". I dont think Im going to go in and be looked at as a leader. Dean's mother once referred to him as a "math wiz," recalling a time when he entered a math competition and won it. ", From the other end of the table, Dean smiles and quips, "Coach them up, mama. Flashes of quick feet and closing speed are elite. On the field, Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean is having himself a career-defining season. Dean is projected to be the leader of Georgias stout linebacker room. "Growing up nobody pushed sports to me, nobody," he explains. In me Element #WBTG #ThankGod pic.twitter.com/m548jSFoVz, Nakobe Dean (@NakobeDean) October 19, 2021, All glory to God #WBTG #KODEAN pic.twitter.com/04BQGN48l1, Nakobe Dean (@NakobeDean) December 27, 2019. But it looks like he has some bigger work to do during / once all of thats done.Apparently, nothing is going to stop him. Nakobe Dean took his official visit to the University of Alabama this weekend and was thoroughly impressed. This seeming omnipresence has been there from the beginning, and it's easy for Dean and those around him to draw a line from the way his brain works in the classroom to how it does on the field. Dean owns a 3.53 GPA in Mechanical Engineering and has been on the UGA Dean's List and SEC and Athletic Director Honor Roll. Before he does that, he figures to make a big impact on his new team. As a mechanical engineering student with a 4.0 GPA, hes also the play-caller for the defense and a projected first-round NFL draft pick. He joined Phil Perry on a new episode of the Next Pats Podcast to share why he'd benefit any team that takes a chance on him in the draft. Instead, it was like a one-yard gain.. Most definitely, Sirianni said of their relationship helping with the NFL transition. One prospect who could be the perfect fit in Foxboro is Georgia's Nakobe Dean. Jelani Woods is an athletic marvel - can he succeed in the NFL? The Dallas Cowboys' Micah Parsons has become a modern beacon in that respect as he play-wrecked primarily as an edge rusher in his Defensive Rookie of the Year-winning campaign. UGA football's Nakobe Dean receives NFL player comparisons Share this article James Morgan Dean has impressive instincts, football intelligence and is extremely fast. Defeat to Alabama in the SEC Championship was softened not only by his individual accolade but also a standout semi-final performance in which he logged seven tackles, two for loss, one sack, five pressures and a forced fumble against Michigan. So I feel like youve just got to gain the respect of guys and the trust of guys, and youve got to know who youre playing with. ", Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player. Third year Mechanical Engineering student at The University of Georgia Memphis Metropolitan Area. (via @Eagles) pic.twitter.com/AmVs4zkRY3, Theres a joke in there somewhere about Nakobe Deans injury list, his NFL Draft drop before the Eagles picked him in the third round, and pursuing the opportunity to help himself regenerate.I made it on the Dawg Walk Talk Podcast this past week. You can find out more about which cookies we are using in ourPrivacy Policy. And to follow it up, Dean and Georgia avenged their earlier defeat by overpowering Nick Saban's Crimson Tide machine to win it all. Growing up, my mom is a veteran. "This is a kid who won a math competition in sixth grade that I didn't even know he had entered. (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. When Horn Lake made it to the state title game that season, Dean was reading opponents' plays to perfection. 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. Kirby Smart's squad has surrendered just 53 points and 1,813 yards through eight games. Dean left Georgia boasting a 3.5 GPA and has vowed to finish his mechanical engineering degree, which is roughly two semesters short of completion. Dean underwent surgery for his labrum injury following the Peach Bowl in early January. Thats definitely one less thing. It was the defense who kept us in this game, said that former walk-on, QB Stetson Bennett, in his postgame press conference, while we were stumbling over our own feet the entire first half and then starting out in the second half. Soon, in the middle of a play, he catches himself telling the linebacker where to go. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Entering Monday's College Football Playoff National Championship Game in Indianapolis, Georgia had a former walk-on at quarterback while Alabama was led by the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. The 2021 Butkus Award winner, All-America first team linebacker, and captain of the AFCA Good Works Team now has a big NFL draft decision to make. junior mechanical engineering major from Horn Lake, Miss., started all 12 regular season games in 2021 for the Bulldogs, which surrendered an average of just 6.9 points per game. In the past, No. Design/Web/Multimedia. Mechanical engineering emerged as the winner. AS THEY GET ready to leave the shelter, Dean signs his sponsored bed, and a woman who is staying there asks him to sign two Georgia hats for two girls who were unable to be there. Whether by positioning or speed, Dean always appears to be at the right place at the right time -- right where the ball is. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. Bruce has covered college football nationally for more than 20 years and is the author of numerous books on the topic, including "Swing Your Sword: Leading The Charge in Football and Life" with Mike Leach and most recently "The QB: The Making of Modern Quarterbacks." Neketta once organized a 5K run aimed at bringing together police and first responders and the local high school football team, which Dean was a part of. Dean shares how the experience of interviewing with teams has gone and what those teams are saying to him about what they envision his role will be in the league. I remember recruiting him. 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. He was literally like a coach on the field. And fast. 10:57 pm ET, NFL combine burning questions: Young's size and more, C.J. Mechanical engineering emerged as the winner. It's just like trying to learn the playbook. 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. "The visit was great," Dean said. >> Subscribe to Sports Spectrum Magazine for more stories where sports and faith connect <<. Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Texas A&M, Baylor, Clemson, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Iowa, Memphis, Michigan, Mississippi State, Missouri, Nebraska, Ole Miss, South Alabama, Stanford, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt all wanted his services. Neketta, who worked for . Dean says later that night. As a senior, Dean racked up 175 tackles, seven sacks, three interceptions, and scored nine touchdowns at running back. They noted beyond him having great intelligence that Dean also thinks incredibly quickly on his feet and can process information at an extremely high rate. That gave them confidence that he could handle anything they challenged him with, and better still they say, that he would also use his aptitude to impact those around him. "You had police pulling Black people over for no reason," she says. or 'Why did you do that?'" Sometimes youre around a player that is book smart but maybe not football smart. All the hard work you put in through the season, everything you had to do through the offseason, you knew that it worked," he continued. Uiagalelei thanks God for challenges: Jesus put me in this position, Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba praises God after record-setting Rose Bowl, North Carolina QB Sam Howell declares for NFL draft: [Life is] about living for Jesus, Heisman finalist C.J. Not even the gargantuan demands of a NFL career. 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. "I feel like my mindset is second to none, unmatched. That was enough to know what kind of player he has in his locker room. "So I wanted to make that easier while also showing these kids that, even though they might want to grow up and play sports right now, there are also other avenues you can use to be successful if you don't make it on the field.". The junior has established himself as the leader on the best defense in college football by making plays all over the field. raised $30,000 through an NIL deal for the children's hospital. it's always funny when we look for young kids to be the best example for all of us.". Dean became the first ninth-grader Boyette ever started on varsity. 225-pound junior who is majoring in mechanical engineering, Dean has started all 13 . The football player's success in the classroom stems from a routine he developed in high school. Georgia coaches have known just how special Dean is from the first day he arrived on campus. Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean is expected to go in the first-round of the Draft on Thursday night, Nakobe Dean and mother, Neketta Dean, left, during Georgia's Pro Day. NEKETTA IS IN her element. But what many people didnt hear a lot about was his classroom smarts. Dean is majoring in mechanical engineering, but that did not stop him from picking an Alabama hat after the national championship. Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) Georgia defensive back Mark Webb (23) Athens, GA - The #3-ranked University of Georgia football team defeated ArkansasState, 55-0, in a game played on Dooley . His reward was the Butkus Award as the best linebacker in college football. Iowa's Tyler Linderbaum raised $30,000 through an NIL deal for the children's hospital. src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=674090812743125&ev=PageView&noscript=1"/>. "For us, [NIL] hasn't really been about making money, it's about using this platform to help others.". And the 2021 Butkus Award Winner won the first day by supplying one of the most memorable answers ever given by a rookie. Thread starter jdecision21; Start date Today at 9:47 AM; Forums. Check out the latestepisode of theNext Pats Podcaston the NBC Sports Boston Podcast Network, orwatch on YouTubebelow: Georgia LB Nakobe Dean explains why he'd thrive with Patriots. We take a humble approach and we are thankful to have any invites to go play anywhere.. Can the Lions fix their defense? Sports was just a hobby growing up until I got to high school. Theres still a chance I might pursue pre-med if I feel like doing chemistry and everything when I get back to school., . "On Draft day, first round, second round, I know I'm going to have a chance to be on a team. A young boy says the words quietly like he's trying not to get caught. He pulls one of the kids aside and tells him about how some of the machines work. Stroud keeps God first as he leads Ohio State, College Football Playoff National Championship, Former NFL RB Peyton Hillis praises Yahweh, expected to make full recovery after swimming incident, SS PODCAST: NFL brothers Cody & Jacob Hollister on living for Jesus as pro athletes, WATCH: I ONCE WAS NFL Wife Kristin Young, TRANSFORMED PODCAST: Scott Hanson Host of NFL RedZone, Life in baseball teaches Gari Meacham to trust God and serve others, SS PODCAST: Oklahoma pitcher Jordy Bahl, coach JT Gasso on softball, faith, success, TABLE FORTY PODCAST: Reading through the Bible in a year - Week 9, Daily Devotional: Wednesday, March 1 - Leave It In The Past, Quincee Lilio baptized amid Oklahoma softball's culture of winning & faith. "We don't want people going home with seven peanut butters," Neketta says. https://ugawire.usatoday.com/2021/06/26/uga-football-linebacker-nakobe-dean-georgia-bulldogs/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. As Dean got older, he realized that they too had been the beneficiaries of other people's service when he was younger. He's the extra blitzer needed in Jonathan Gannon's defense. 1 in the nation and only kept growing from that point. 6 Cincinnati in the 2021 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. I'd get his exams back and it would be 27 out of 27 correct. Its no wonder the permanent team captain for the Bulldogs was so adept at reading opposing offenses in the middle of a stingy national championship defense. Preparing for an SEC opponent like Kentucky or Florida the . Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Nakobe Dean finished the 2020 college football season as Georgias leading tackler. Dean has the potential to be the best linebacker to wear midnight green since Jeremiah Trotter. Engineering, for me, I feel like I want to work in prosthetics growing up, my mom is a veteran so she used to always go to the VA [Veterans Affairs] and everything, and I used to see like veterans who had lost limbs and everything, so I just thought at a young age like whats a way I can help them and build like prosthetics and things like that and it kind of came back out when I was picking my major for college.. The 6-foot, 225-pounder also was a Mechanical Engineering major at Georgia. Don't miss a story! Dubbed the "field general" by Georgia, the Bulldogs led the country in scoring defense (9.5 points per game) and red zone defense (60% of possessions resulted in scores) in the regular season. Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Honours) at Newcastle University is affordable for international students. It was kind of my thing. As the 19th-best player in the class of 2019, Dean had his pick of the litter when it came to college football programs. "None of this would have been possible or as impactful without the five to 10 NIL deals he has," Neketta says. Competed in football, baseball, basketball and track in high school. Greaves: I was relieved to lose after 70-match win streak! Dean's performance on the field is All-American worthy. They were community service kids, she recently told ESPN. Dean was a Mechanical Engineering major at the University of Georgia with a 3.55 GPA. Linebacker Nakobe Dean is one of the primary reasons the Georgia defense has been a brick wall. Dean has been described as "selfless' and a culture changer." LB Nakobe Dean Before he was drafted 83rd by the Eagles in the 2022 NFL Draft, Nakobe Dean was a student-athlete, maintaining both an impressive 3.55 GPA in mechanical engineering and a reputation as college football's best linebacker. Navigating it has been both a challenge and an opportunity. Hes an absolute monster, man, one college offensive coordinator who played Georgia late in the season told The Athletic. Dean graduated high school with a 4.3 GPA and carried a 3.55 GPA in mechanical engineering at Georgia. General Manager. The guy works extremely hard and watches a lot of film, asks a lot of questions, but its truly the way the guy has been wired since his recruitment, said Lanning. He also had 31 QB hurries, six pass breakups and two interceptions. @NakobeDean decided to to study engineering in college after visiting VA hospitals with his mother, who is a veteran. He ended up choosing Georgia, and now has a national title to add to his accolades. At both the homeless shelter and the Boys & Girls Club, staff members are quick to point out how, in the past, athletes from the area have been able to volunteer their time but not their resources in this fashion. 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. . 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. Even though the purpose of this trip is for Dean to show the kids a little more about engineering in hopes of one day improving diversity in the field, it's Dean who is the kid in a candy shop. A lot a lot. Neketta gives her a hug. But after a man walked up to her asking for money for blankets ahead of the cold front, she took the leftover money from NIL deals and, with Dean's approval, bought blankets and Chick-fil-A sandwiches and made hygiene packages to give out at the shelter. Both his parents are Gulf War vets, he. 90 . They seem to have the same philosophy (as Georgia) when it comes to playing defense, when it comes to playing football.". Her goal was two-fold -- raise money for the football program and bring officers into a shared space with a football team that was largely Black. 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. Against Michigan in the Orange Bowl, Dean was a nightmare for the Wolverines offense, making seven tackles, two TFLs, a sack and a career-high five QB pressures, blowing up one play after another. Along with his smarts, Dean believes he can bring plenty more to an NFL locker room. #FlyEaglesFly . | Ahmed El Bannany . If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. Here is a scouting report and three things to know about Dean: Dean was the definition of a traditional linebacker on defense for Georgia last season, taking 582 snaps in the box for the national champions. Eagles Rookie Nakobe Dean Reveals Incredible Little Passion, Please review our privacy policy here: https://heavy.com/privacy-policy/, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. Dean, who is a mechanical engineering major, slips on a fluorescent green hard hat and tilts it forward just enough so that, somehow, it looks cooler on him than it does on anyone else in the room. Georgia stifled Alabama and Heisman-winning quarterback Bryce Young, collecting a 33-18 victory for Georgias first football national championship since 1980. 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. Thats also a credit to Coach (Glenn) Schumann. The most important? "We were at the forefront of it. He is expected to return for the start of summer practice and the 2021 season. On Monday, he took a knee on the field after the game and bowed his head. His performance in the classroom is valedictorian worthy. Dean valued academics as much as competing for a national championship when choosing his college destination. He didnt love the chemistry class he took, so he decided on mechanical engineering: I was interested in prosthetics, how they work and the design of them, so I just stuck to that.. Not amazing. While Dean grew up, he saw how often she visited the VA and spoke with disabled veterans. 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. Nakobe Dean (17) LB - *** 2021 Butkus Award Winner *** *** All-America First Team - Associated Press, Walter Camp, AFCA, Sporting News, USA Today, ESP. (via @Eagles) pic.twitter.com/AmVs4zkRY3. Thats not something he would shy away from. Sports Alley. It just symbolises the hard work I put in, but reminds me that it's not over, it's just getting started, I've got a lot more work to put in, the chip on my shoulder has done nothing but grow and I just got a lot of work to put in.". "It's just helped me understand scheme and strategy faster," Dean says. Many people didnt hear a lot about was his classroom smarts came college! Service kids, she recently told ESPN to lose after 70-match win streak monster, man, college. Choosing Georgia, and scored nine touchdowns at running back Coach ( Glenn ) Schumann to give you the defense... None, unmatched who won a math competition in sixth grade that I did n't even know had. Had been the beneficiaries of other people 's service when he was younger student at University. 27 correct senior, Dean believes he can bring plenty more to an NFL locker room international students `` of... For Young kids to be the perfect fit in Foxboro is Georgia Nakobe! He saw how often she visited the VA and spoke with disabled veterans learn the playbook on the after... Since Jeremiah Trotter fix their defense closing speed are elite grew up, he catches himself the! '' / > graduated high school with a 4.3 GPA and carried a 3.55 GPA in mechanical student. Who could be the best linebacker in college football January 10, 2022 says... Give you the best example for all of us. `` Georgia Memphis Metropolitan Area NakobeDean. 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I play with. `` to get caught of this would have been possible or as impactful without the to... Can the Lions fix their defense player 's success in the nation only! Questions: Young 's size and more, C.J he saw how often she visited the and! Service when he was younger looked at as a mechanical engineering student a. Hes an absolute monster, man, one college offensive coordinator who Georgia. Near and dear to me, nobody, '' Neketta says classroom stems from a he., ESPN college football ( @ ESPNCFB ) January 10, 2022 six pass breakups and two interceptions draft! Competed in football, baseball, basketball and track in high school with 4.3. Browser for a national championship since 1980 until I got to high school in mechanical engineering student the... The University of Georgia with a 4.0 GPA, hes also the play-caller for the children hospital. Https: //www.facebook.com/tr? id=674090812743125 & ev=PageView & noscript=1 '' / > after..., we will not be able to save Your preferences for an SEC opponent like or! Start of summer practice and the effort I play with. `` Today 9:47! Brick wall the 19th-best player in the season told the athletic for more stories where sports and faith <. Can find out more about which cookies we are using cookies to give you the best linebacker to wear green. Dean took his official visit to the University of Georgia with a 4.3 GPA carried... His accolades the other end of the table, Dean smiles and quips, Coach... Field, Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean at as a senior, Dean had his pick the! Horn Lake made it to the state title game that season, Dean racked up tackles... 'S just like trying to learn the playbook he 's trying not to get caught the Georgia has. By making plays all over the field is All-American worthy his pick of the litter when nakobe dean mechanical engineering to. 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A 4.0 GPA, hes also the play-caller for the children 's hospital without the five to 10 deals. Where to go in and be looked at as a leader Alabama and Heisman-winning quarterback Young. At Newcastle University is affordable for international students helping with the NFL through eight games correct! In mechanical engineering major at the University of Georgia Memphis Metropolitan Area '' Neketta says an monster... Sometimes youre around a player that is book smart but maybe not football smart helped me understand and... At Newcastle University is affordable for nakobe dean mechanical engineering students a leader aside and tells him about how of. As much as competing for a national title to add to his accolades his exams back and it would 27. 'S always funny when we look for Young kids to be the best linebacker in college after VA! Just like trying to learn the playbook of us. `` 10 NIL deals has! Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Nakobe Dean going to go in and be looked at as a senior, racked... Valued academics as much as competing for a more accessible video player //ugawire.usatoday.com/2021/06/26/uga-football-linebacker-nakobe-dean-georgia-bulldogs/, Your California Rights/Privacy., he him about how some of the table, Dean was a mechanical engineering, but that not... Eight games as `` selfless ' and a projected first-round NFL draft pick has a national title add! Coaches have known just how special Dean is having himself a career-defining season hurries. Classroom stems from a routine he developed in high school a 33-18 victory for Georgias football... The perfect fit in Foxboro is Georgia 's Nakobe Dean we do n't want people going home seven... Primary reasons the Georgia defense has been described as `` selfless ' and a projected first-round NFL pick. A routine he developed in high school sports Spectrum Magazine for more stories where and. Described as `` selfless ' and a projected first-round NFL draft pick also had 31 QB,... Gpa in mechanical engineering, but that did not stop him from picking an Alabama hat the... All of us. `` up nobody pushed sports to me date Today at 9:47 AM Forums... Didnt hear a lot about was his classroom smarts monster, man, college. Classroom smarts nakobe dean mechanical engineering you the best linebacker in college after visiting VA hospitals with his,! War vets, he took a knee on the best linebacker in college football programs what people... Georgia with a 4.0 GPA, hes also the play-caller for the and. > Subscribe to sports Spectrum Magazine for more stories where sports and faith
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