CJ Allen, Raylen Wilson taking next step as young veterans of Georgia defense

ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia’s linebacker room wasn’t in the best of spots late last season with the Bulldogs in the thick of a College Football Playoff push. UGA lost Jamon Dumas-Johnson for the season to a shoulder injury in early November. Smael Mondon was playing through pain with his own bumps and bruises. It put pressure on a pair of freshmen, CJ Allen and Raylen Wilson, to play more snaps than they likely ever imagined in their first season.

Yes, they were talented, but the lack of experience showed at times. Just turn on the tape from the SEC Championship Game against Alabama, and you’ll see.

Now though, the experiences of being on the field as a freshman have the sophomores ready to shine. According to Kirby Smart, they’re more comfortable, while position coach and defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann is seeing confidence. Both believe that they’ve grown up because of their early opportunities.

“More comfortable. They’ve been thrust into the limelight and had to play earlier — probably before they were ready, to be honest. You grow up when you have to do that,” Smart said.

“CJ and Raylen, they really benefited from this spring, having the opportunity to take over heightened leadership roles and in bowl prep,” Schumann added, speaking on the fact that Mondon missed the Orange Bowl and spring practice, resulting in more reps for Allen and Wilson. “They’ve only grown from that. I think you’ve seen increased confidence in them … They’ve been growing every day, and I’m excited about how they’re going to play this year.”

Schumann described his linebackers as “mature beyond their years,” and while Smart didn’t use those same words, he does find himself forgetting just how young the two stars actually are. Because they started games as freshmen and played a combined 567 snaps, Smart looks as them like they’re upperclassmen instead of second-year players.

“I think you forget sometimes, like, what year they are. It happens to me all the time,” the head coach joked. “I think Raylen and CJ are, like, experienced vets on our team because they’re in the upper echelon of play time and upper echelon in terms of years here because the majority of your team is young … You’ve got to grow up fast with the way this thing is now because young players have to be ready to play.”

Their teammates see it too. Tight end Oscar Delp must line up opposite of Allen and Wilson every day while linebacker Jalon Walker gets to play beside them. They’re noticing the sophomores stepping up as leaders despite their youth.

“Those two are brothers to me. They’ve grown tremendously throughout the spring and I can’t wait to watch them throughout the season,” Walker said. “I feel like we’ve taken great strides in the inside backer room of focusing and honing in on our details throughout the spring and fall camp.”

“They’re picking things up too. They’re starting to recognize things more on offense. They’re playing fast and making plays. They’re not scared to stick their face in there,” Delp added. “They’re going to be two really good guys to help us this year. They’re making us better every day too, just how fast they react to things and how well they disguise things.”

Allen and Wilson combined for 56 stops last season including 2.5 for loss. It’s not out of this world to think that each of them will hit those numbers individually this season – especially with the possibility of playing more games in an expanded College Football Playoff.

Georgia kicks off its 2024 campaign as the top-ranked team in the country per both the AP and Coaches Poll with a neutral site matchup in Atlanta against No. 14 Clemson (12:00 p.m. ET, ABC). The Bulldogs and Tigers together claim four of the last eight national titles and renew a rivalry that’s seen 65 meetings and dates back to 1897.