The Georgia Linebacker room will once again be stacked in 2024 as Georgia is returning many contributors from the 2023 season.
Georgia’s Linebacker room heads into the 2024 season as one of if not the most talented group in the country. Headlining that group is Senior Linebacker Smael Mondon Jr., Mondon Jr. is coming off of a 2023 where he recorded 68 total tackles and a career high three sacks as he used his 6’3, 230 pound frame to patrol all areas of the field. Following the 2023 season, many believed Mondon Jr. would forego his Senior season and enter the NFL Draft. Fortunately for Georgia, Mondon Jr. announced he was returning for another season as his Veteran experience will play a huge role on the defensive side of the ball.
Another Veteran standout for this Dawgs’ Linebacker group is Junior, Jalon Walker. The 6’2, 245 pound Walker is coming off of a breakout season in 2023 as he led the team with five sacks along with tallying 20 total tackles as he’s capable of being a real problem for opposing offenses.
Georgia’s Linebacker room has many talented Sophomores as well. Sophomores such as C.J. Allen, Raylen Wilson, and Troy Bowles.
The biggest standout of this Sophomore group would have to be C.J. Allen. Allen turned a lot of heads in his Freshman season as he burst onto the scene with a 9 tackle performance against Ole Miss. In the following weeks, Allen would continue to come into his own and take over the ILB spot as he finished the 2023 season with 41 tackles and one sack as he earned Freshman All-American and SEC honors. Allen is currently listed at 6’1, 235 pounds and when you watch him play you really can’t help but see flashes of Dawg legend Roquan Smith in his game as he has the potential to be another Georgia great.
Raylen Wilson is another highly touted Sophomore who will look to make more of an impact this season. The 6’1, 235 pound Wilson put together 15 total tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss in his Freshman season as he saw limited snaps in 2023. Wilson’s workload will more than likely increase in 2024 though as he is expected to be part of that main ILB rotation alongside Mondon Jr. and Allen.
Troy Bowles’ workload could also increase in 2024 as Bowles heads into his Sophomore season as another very talented and reliable option for that ILB rotation. Bowles’ is the son of current Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coach Todd Bowles as Troy has all the knowledge of the Linebacker position to go along with his physical play within his 6’0, 220 pound frame. Bowles put together five total tackles in his freshman season as he saw the field in three games.
Even with a solid Veteran group and a loaded Sophomore class, the Dawgs are also bringing in an elite Freshmen class at the position.
One of those elite Freshmen happens to be the No. 1 ranked Linebacker from the 2024 class, Justin Williams. Williams is the highest rated Linebacker Coach Smart has signed in his era as his physical intangibles are off the charts. Williams is currently listed at 6’2, 220 pounds as he has elite sideline to sideline speed to go along with his size as it’ll be interesting to see how quickly he can learn the system and see the field.
The Bulldogs also brought in the No. 3 ranked Linebacker of the 2024 class in Chris Cole. Cole is considered to be one of the more athletic Linebackers in this past year’s class as he was a former Safety before putting on size and transitioning to Linebacker. Cole is currently listed at 6’3, 235 pounds as he provides some big time pop at the position to go along with his impressive downhill speed.
From top to bottom this Linebacker room may very well be the best in the country and may also be the best this Georgia program has seen in a while. Which is wild to even comprehend considering this Dawgs’ program puts out NFL caliber Linebackers every year as it certainly doesn’t look like that’ll stop anytime soon.
Go Dawgs!