Has there been a time in Kirby Smart’s previous nine years as head coach where his inside linebacker room has not been a position of strength?
Players like Roquan Smith, Nakobe Dean, and Jalon Walker, among many others, have been some of the best Bulldogs in recent history. This year’s group has the potential to etch their names alongside those greats before their careers are done.
Rising junior CJ Allen is the leader of the group.
Allen finished second on the team last year in tackles with 76, starting 12 of the 14 games he played.
The former Lamar County standout is the quarterback of defense, calling the defensive signals from his position at Mac.
There’s plenty of talent alongside and behind him.
Fellow junior Ralyen Wilson is expected to be the starter at Money. The Tallahassee native has a penchant for big plays, as he finished fifth on the team in tackles for loss with seven.
There’s some significant talent waiting in the wings.
Chris Cole flashed in a major way when the Bulldogs began using him in their third-down rush packages.
At 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, Cole went on to be named to the SEC All-Freshman team after making 16 tackles, including two for losses of four yards with a pair of key fumble recoveries. He also broke up a pass.
There’s more.
Former five-star Justin Williams appeared in 12 games as a true freshman and is expected to work primarily behind Allen to give the Bulldogs another excellent plug-in piece to count on during games.
Redshirt freshman Kris Jones, along with true freshmen Zayden Walker and AJ Kruah, assures that the position will remain one of the strongest on the entire team.
