ATHENS, Ga. (AP) - Jarvis Jones, Alec Ogletree and seven other former starters are likely to be in NFL camps this summer, leaving Georgia with nine big holes to fill on its defense.

Coach Mark Richt, however, was hardly concerned after the Bulldogs began spring practice on Saturday.

Richt says that Georgia, which was ranked No. 5 in the final Associated Press poll, can withstand the departure of so many starters because of strong recruiting classes over the last couple of years.

An All-American linebacker like Jones is hard to replace, but Richt already projects that defensive end Garrison Smith and cornerback Damian Swann will emerge as leaders.

Richt added that linebackers Jordan Jenkins and James DeLoach, defensive linemen John Taylor and Mike Thornton and cornerback Devin Bowman are ready for more responsibility.