For Georgia linebackers, ‘it starts with us’

Georgia’s linebacker group has seized upon Kirby Smart’s “passion, fire, and energy” mantra.

CJ Allen has been sporting one of the blue guardian caps that signify players who play with Smart’s desired level of PFE. Smart praised Raylen Wilson’s leadership earlier this fall. Second-year players Chris Cole and Justin Williams have been called out as hard, energetic workers by Smart dating back to the spring.

Why has this group been able to answer Smart’s call?

“We know, as an inside linebacker room, it starts with us,” Williams said. “Coach Schumann (Glenn Schumann, defensive coordinator/inside linebackers coach) always reminds us that it starts with us, and just having that in our heads every day, knowing that that’s the standard, and we just play with that every day. We gotta bring the passion, fire, and energy because it starts with us. We’re leaders of the defense.”

Georgia’s top four linebackers are one of the best quartets in the country. The depth goes even deeper than that – walk-on Terrell Foster and freshmen Zayden Walker and Anthony Kruah are quality players behind Georgia’s lead group.

Wilson feels the entire group is embracing Smart’s call for enthusiasm.

“I feel like everybody’s more bought into the fire, passion, energy thing because I feel like nowadays college football, mostly people care more about money,” Wilson said. “Here we make sure that’s not the biggest issue. We focus on the passion and the love for the game.”

For Williams, the example is set by Georgia’s veterans, Allen and Wilson.

“CJ Allen, he’s the epitome of wanting to be great, and Raylen as well,” Williams said. “They both come in, train really hard. They’re doing everything to their max potential. CJ Allen, he’s just always in the film room. Raylen, always in the film room. Those two guys are bound to have a breakout year for me.”

The inside linebacker play will be vital for a Georgia defense looking to get back to championship form. Williams believes the group’s talent will reach its potential thanks to the drive in the room.

“I would say it’s amazing, honestly,” Williams said. “I mean, we go in there every day knowing that we have to compete against each other and just having guys around you that want to compete makes you look better than you can even imagine, and just seeing them push themselves every day makes you want to be better.”