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Starting Georgia DL leaves the program days ahead of season opener
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- Starting Georgia DL leaves the program days ahead of season opener
Starting Georgia Bulldogs defensive tackle Xzavier McLeod is no longer with the Georgia football program. It is unclear why McLeod is off the team. Georgia coach Kirby Smart did not mention McLeod's departure during Monday's press conference, which took place before the departure was confirmed.
McLeod's departure leaves a void in the middle of Georgia's defensive front. The 6-foot-4, 315-pound defensive tackle recorded 17 tackles, two pass deflections and no sacks last season. McLeod's departure comes days before Georgia's season opener against the Tennessee State Tigers .
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McLeod began his college football career with the South Carolina Gamecocks . He appeared in four games before he was dismissed from the Gamecocks in 2023. McLeod reportedly wanted to maintain his redshirt at South Carolina .
"Collectively as a defensive line, we're striving for that each day in practice just to become better than we were before," Georgia defensive lineman Elijah Griffin said on McLeod's departure. 'We're just trying to go with the process and take it day-by-day."
McLeod's exit comes as a surprise. The Dawgs have no time to find a replacement and will have to give more snaps to other players that are already on the roster. McLeod appeared in all 14 games last season and was expected to play a significant role for Georgia.
In his absence, Georgia is expected to play Jordan Hall and Nnamdi Ogboko more snaps. Defensive linemen Nasir Johnson, Valdin Sone and Josh Horton should all see more action too along with starters Elijah Griffin and Gabe Harris.
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This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Starting Georgia DL leaves the program days ahead of season opener
