Young Georgia linebackers generating buzz, getting better this spring
Kirby Smart has never expressed, at least on the record, any disdain for simplicity. As far as we know, he’s okay with it but there’s no thing simple about the systems Georgia employs on either side of the ball.
That’s definitely the case on defense and its even more of a truism for those who play inside linebacker. That position is expected to quarterback the front seven. One mistake and a crease could form that hampers the abilities of other players’ to do their jobs.
Thats why Smael Mondon is happy for stud 2023 signees Raylen Wilson and CJ Allen. Those two have generated all sorts of buzz since arriving in Athens. The chatter started a day or two after they began practicing with the team
They’re making a name for themselves already, without even knowing it, but they’re also making valuable strides in the process.
“You kind of get a head start with the playbook going into summer and going into fall camp so you’re not really going to be as confused really,” Mondon said while also praising the newcomers’ work habits. “It’s kind of like a practice fall camp really for a lot of the freshmen, so like whenever they get there and things really get rolling again, they’re going to kind of really know what’s going on and they’re not going to be as lost.”
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Allen is a bit of a small-school product who put his talents on display by doing it all. He was a standout running back at Lamar County High School while also starring on defense. When the dust settled on the 2023 class, Allen was ranked as the nation’s No. 76 overall prospect according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average of the ratings from all four recruiting coverage outlets. He was the No. 6 linebacker in America.
Wilson made Georgia work for it. He was committed to Michigan for about six months before Georgia finally got him to open things back up. The Bulldogs reeled him in soon after he de-committed and he finished the cycle ranked No. 29 overall and No. 4 at his position. That earned him the elusive five-star status.
Their raw talent is going to give them a chance to be quite successful at the college level but the fact that the learning process is underway will only serve to accelerate their growth. It certainly helped Mondon a couple of years ago.
“Yeah, I was kind of nervous before spring practice my freshman year just ’cause, I don’t know, I didn’t really know what to expect,” Mondon said. “Yeah, it’s been a long time since then.”
