Georgia defensive back Rasean Dinkins may only be a freshman, but he’s managed to flash over the course of his first season. Dinkins was called on to play a bigger role in the SEC title game, and he soon proved he was up for the challenge.
Dinkins started in place of injured STAR Joenel Aguero and rose to the occasion against Alabama. His stat line doesn’t pop off the page — he had just 1 tackle — but he held his own as part of a secondary that mostly kept the Crimson Tide in check in a 28-7 victory.
“Dink has been practicing really well. If you go back, we got him a series against Charlotte. We considered getting him a series against Georgia Tech,” Kirby Smart said. “Joenel is dealing with a wrist. He practiced all week. Joenel practiced and was good to go.
“We were like, ‘Look, if Joenel is going to have this glove on, maybe we should give Dink a series or two.’ Dink went one series, another series. Things were going our way.”
What started as a series or two turned into 39 snaps for the true freshman.
Dinkins’ game didn’t feature a ton of highlight reel-worthy plays, but he was steady in coverage against an Alabama team that tried in vain to move the ball. Dinkins was part of a Georgia defense that held the Crimson Tide to 209 total yards, 91 of which came on the team’s only touchdown drive. Alabama punted seven times, had just 12 first downs, and went 3-of-13 on third down.
According to Pro Football Focus, Dinkins earned a grade of 71.2, the fourth-highest among Georgia defenders in the victory.
“He had an opportunity to step up. I feel like he handled that the right way,” Georgia cornerback Daylen Everette said. “He didn’t really go out there and make it bigger than what it was. He just went out there and played ball. I’m proud of him for how he stepped up.”
Saturday’s performance was the newest peak for a player who is well on his way to being a regular contributor.
Dinkins joined Georgia’s 2025 class fairly late thanks to flipping from Georgia Tech in November 2024. He didn’t arrive at UGA until the summer, but he quickly went to work to prove he could hang in a secondary full of standouts.
Dinkins has appeared in 12 of Georgia’s 13 games this season, the only one he missed being Tennessee. He recorded at least 1 tackle in seven of those games, which included a 3-tackle performance against Charlotte in Week 13. He has 9 tackles in total this season.
“He’s a good football player,” Smart said. “He’s got some safety characteristics from his high school. He reminds me a little bit of Bullard. He’s got a potential to be able to move to safety and play. He’s got a really good skill set.
“He is the greatest kid. I’m so hard on him at practice at times he gets quiet. I appreciate the way he takes hard coaching because it has not affected him. It paid off tonight.”
Dinkins stepped in when the Bulldogs needed him, and the true freshman showed he was ready for the moment. While Aguero should be available for the Sugar Bowl, the Bulldogs know they can count on Dinkins if he’s needed.
