Three Georgia LB commits make high school Butkus Award watchlist

Georgia is no stranger to the Butkus Award in recent years, with Roquan Smith and Nakobe Dean both pulling down the honor.

In fact, Dean was a two-time winner, having won both in high school and at the collegiate level.

Today, all three of Georgia’s 2023 inside linebacker commits found themselves on the watch list for the prestigious award, which will be presented to the nation’s best high school linebacker.

Lincoln (Tallahassee, Florida) linebacker Raylen Wilson, Jesuit (Tampa, Florida) linebacker Troy Bowles, and Lamar County (Barnesville, Georgia) linebacker CJ Allen made the cut, along with 48 other standouts from across the country.

Per the press release:

“The Butkus Award® honoring the nation’s best linebackers continued its annual selection process today by announcing its high school preseason watch list. The watch list features 51 linebackers, mirroring the legendary “51” pro jersey associated with the award’s namesake, Dick Butkus, who was recognized by NFL Films as the best defensive player in football history. The high school Butkus Award watch list includes candidates from 21 states, including 11 players from Florida, eight from Georgia, four from Texas, and three from Mississippi and Pennsylvania.”

The Butkus Award made mention of Nakobe Dean’s distinction in the release, as well.

“Nakobe Dean, the 2021 winner of the collegiate Butkus Award while playing for National Champion Georgia, was just the third player to win both the collegiate and high school Butkus Awards. The Horn Lake, Miss., product, now with the Philadelphia Eagles, joined Jaylon Smith (Bishop Luers, Fort Wayne, Ind., and Notre Dame) and Manti Te’o (Punahou School, Honolulu, Hawaii, and Notre Dame) in that distinction.”

On3 scouting report on Raylen Wilson

“One of the more athletic linebackers in the 2023 cycle who looks to be an ascending prospect after continued physical development. Measured around 6-foot-1.5, 215 pounds prior to his senior season. Grew over an inch and added over 10 pounds during his junior season. Also saw improvement on the track, cutting several hundredths off his 100-meter time running a personal best 10.91 mark during the spring. Flashes that top-end speed on the field, where he is an eraser in space with sideline-to-sideline ability. Excels in pursuit where he shows the ability to close very quickly. Can track down plays from the other side of the field. A natural in space and shows the ability to cover. Often plays in the box and has experience reading and reacting as a run defender. A high-volume tackler with 139 tackles and 16 tackles for loss as a junior. Physical in taking on blocks. Looks to have improved his play strength a bit, but will need to continue progressing in that regard. Father was a wide receiver in the NFL for five seasons and has several siblings who were high-level college athletes. Younger for the class, not turning 18 years old until the July before his freshman season in college.” – Charles Power

On3 scouting report on Troy Bowles

“Box linebacker that has the ability to key and diagnose as good as anyone in the country. Son of NFL coach Todd Bowles. Jumped a 5’06” high jump in 2022 and ran 11.73 in the 100m in 2021. Striker that sees the field extremely well and triggers to the ball quickly. Instinctive player that will lay the wood consistently. Plays faster than a watch will have him in the 40 or on the track. More of a box player that can thump and be disruptive in the run game. Lacks size and stature for the position, measuring around 6-feet, 205 pounds going into his senior season. Has some hip stiffness and will need to prove his overall ability to play sideline to sideline at the next level. With his physicality and field awareness he has a high floor and will always be around the football.” – Charles Power

On3 scouting report on CJ Allen

“Explosive linebacker who wins with processing and ability to sort through the trash to bring down ball carriers. Good tester in the combine setting who jumped a 30-inch vertical and 9’7” broad jump in 2022 as well as an electronically-timed 4.62 second 40 in 2021. A three-sport athlete that ran a 23.72 200m in 2022 and 11.18 100m in 2021. Also plays basketball. A two-way player on Friday nights, playing running back and linebacker. Rushed for 1,080 yards and 16 touchdowns along with 91 tackles and 3 interceptions as a junior. Shows excellent field vision and awareness. Rarely caught out of position and quick to trigger and come downhill. Efficient tackler that gets his face across ball carriers consistently. Lacks Ideal length for the position, but is always around the football and should be productive at the next level.” – Charles Power