Three of the top five linebackers in the 2026 high school recruiting class are from Georgia. Xavier Griffin landed with Alabama, Brayden Rouse chose Tennessee, and after five-star Tyler Atkinson chose Texas over UGA on Tuesday afternoon, the Bulldogs officially struck out on all three.
Of the 29 players who make up Georgia’s 2026 class, which ranks No. 2 in the country, just one, four-star Shadarius Toodle, is a traditional off-ball linebacker.
Kirby Smart has loaded up that position in recent years. This season, 2023 five-star Raylen Wilson will start next to 2023 four-star CJ Allen, and that duo will be backed up by 2024 five-stars Justin Williams and Chris Cole.