ATHENS, Ga. Aaron Davis, Tyrique McGhee and DeAngelo Gibbs are competing this year to man the position that got its name because ofBill Belichick.

At least thats how the story goes, as told a few years ago by Nick Saban, who in the 1990s was an up-and-coming assistant on Belichicksstaff with the Cleveland Browns. Back then, and for many to this day, the third cornerback spot is called the nickelback. But Belichick, the defensive genius, wanted to use it in a bit of a different way.

The nickelback would also have some linebacker duties. It would be a hybrid. So Belichick wanted to call it something else, and wanted a term that started with an S, because it was basically the Sam linebacker. (For the same reason, the Money position the cornerback in a dime started with an M, because it was akin to the Mike linebacker.)

Everything that Bill Belichick does has some purpose, Saban said during a press conference in 2012.

So at some point somebody came up with star, and through the years that hybrid spot gained that moniker, and was used earlier this decade at Georgia with Leonard Floyd and Josh Harvey-Clemons.

But the proliferation of up-tempo, spread-out offenses has gradually led to teams simply using it as a third cornerback, the original use of the position, just a better tackler, blitzer and cover guy in the middle of the field. The nickel defense is basically the base defense. But the use of the term star remains.

In his first year as Georgias coach, Kirby Smart imported Alabamas Maurice Smith to be the star, and he excelled. He also had one year of eligibility, and his backup Rico McGraw transferred. That left a gaping hole the only open starting position on Georgias defense.

In the old days of football, this one open spot wouldnt be that big a deal. In these days, it is.

New starting center Lamont Gaillard was No. 12.

Wide receiver (it appears) Mecole Hardman came in at No. 11.

No. 10 was defensive lineman Trent Thompson.

No. 9 was underappreciated safety Dominick Sanders.

No. 8 was the kicker, whoever it ends up being.

And now

Sophomore/Senior/Freshman

Star (nickelback)

WHY HES IMPORTANT: Georgia has everything else set on defense. It has a deep and talented defensive line. It has four established linebackers who are so good their backups could start on many SEC teams. Most of the secondary is set as well, from Dominick Sanders at free safety to cornerbacks Malkom Parrish and Deandre Baker. The only remaining questions are whether Davis will again start at safety or move down to the star. Davis, a fifth-year senior who has been a starter the past three years, brings experience wherever he goes. But if hes the star, will he be as consistent and effective as hes been at cornerback and safety? What if the coaches go with McGhee or Gibbs, either of whom would be a first-time starter?

FACTOID: McGhee was given the defensive Hugh Hendrix Award, of the player who most strains his potential. The winners on offense were receiver Terry Godwin and offensive lineman Pat Allen.

BEST CASE: Whoever gets the job keeps it the entire season, as Smith did, bringing stability to this lone open spot on defense. As for who wins it, Davis staying at safety would bring the most stability, because if he moves to star that essentially means two new starters.

WORST CASE: No one grabs the job during the preseason, the star becomes a revolving door, it has a domino effect on the rest of the secondary and the defense, and costs the Bulldogs big plays and big games.

FINAL WORD: Davis is the savvy veteran, McGhee is the young kid whos gotten his feet wet, and Gibbs is the high-upside rookie. It presents an interesting choice for Mel Tucker and Smart to make.

See more here:
Georgia's most important players of 2017: Anatomy of the star - DawgNation