New Georgia linebackers have already 'bonded' over Bulldog 'brand'
ATHENS, Ga. — If you’re looking for a class of linebackers better than Georgia’s, you’re not going to find it. You won’t find it in the Class of 2023, recent years and probably history. That’s because it’s not often that you see a group of guys decide to go to one place like Raylen Wilson, Troy Bowles and CJ Allen did.
Wilson was the No. 3 linebacker in the country according to the On3 Consensus. The in-house On3 rankings had him even higher at No. 2 where he’s on pace to be a five-star, coming in at No. 28 overall. But he’s not the only top-10 linebacker that’ll be headed to Athens. Both Bowles and Allen also have that accolade attached to their name at No. 5 and No. 9 in the nation respectively for the position.
“Well, a really talented group in terms of speed, athleticism. In the day and age that we are in right now where the guys are fast, athletic, have got to play in space, got to be able to strike and play with toughness,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said when asked about the linebackers. “Also high character. Those three guys bonded, got to be good friends, have connected.”
Glenn Schumann says he’s proud to call himself their coach, and he should be. After all, we’ve already discussed the kind of talent that they bring to the table. He also should be proud of the brand that he’s built with the success he’s had in Athens. Georgia’s been referred to as ‘LBU,’ and it’s easy to see why with the players that have come through Schumann’s position group in recent history.
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“I think Schumann and the defensive staff have done a tremendous job kind of selling the brand, but these three guys all came out and did. Look what these two guys are currently doing. Look what the guys we’ve signed last year that are here and playing roles on special teams,” Smart said. “You’ll develop here. You’ll become better, and you’ll have fun doing it. That group is tight. I think it kind of recruits itself when you talk about Nakobe, Quay, and Channing, what they’ve done. These guys, they want to emulate guys like that.”
Smart certainly is right. Georgia’s current linebacker group has spoken about wanting to carry on the legacy of Nakobe Dean, Quay Walker and Channing Tindall – just like that trio did for others that came before them. Then, when Wilson, Bowles and Allen step foot into the room, they’ll have their own guys – Jamon Dumas-Johnson and Smael Mondon – to emulate themselves after too.
So, keep searching for that linebacker class that’s better than the Bulldogs’. You won’t find it, and it’s no coincidence. The ‘LBU’ lineage is one everybody wants to be a part of thanks to Glenn Schumann, the guys in his room and those that came before them.
