Georgia LB Chris Cole taking multiple roles in stride

Sophomore linebacker Chris Cole is the next jack-of-all-trades defensive player in line for a big role for Georgia. Cole found snaps as a true freshman in 2024. He tallied 16 total tackles for Georgia last season. He’s added more jobs to his plate for 2025.

Cole has spent time this offseason working on his ability to rush the passer.

He began his high school career as a safety. He came to Athens as a linebacker. Cole will line up in at least four different positions for Georgia on Saturday and for the rest of 2025.

It’s a role that fits Cole. Head coach Kirby Smart praised Cole’s astuteness.

“He’s just a joy to work with,” Smart told reporters on Tuesday. “He’s a note-taker, student of the game. When you talk about successful people, they have pride in their performance. He has a lot of pride in his performance, and I respect that.”

Cole’s week is a full one. He has to learn the roles of a few different players. Cole makes sure he knows the job in and out.

“It’s definitely a lot of film, and just tying down on what my job is, depending on if I’m playing Jack, star, money, just any position, anytime I’m on the field, just knowing my job, what I’m supposed to do,” Cole said.

Butkus Award winner passing the torch to Chris Cole

Georgia was home to Jalon Walker in 2024. Walker won the Butkus Award while playing multiple roles in Georgia’s defense. Walker has said in the past that he had to spend extra time outside of practice learning his different roles and also learning to rush the passer.

Cole watched Walker a lot last year. He watched how he prepared. Walker was able to impart some pass-rushing tips on Cole.

The rising sophomore credits Walker for teaching him how to rush the passer.

“He was a great player,” Cole said. “He honestly taught me how to give effort every single day. I’ve seen him play every position you could think of. And just seeing him every day, he tried to be his best. Then, when I first got here, I didn’t even know how to pass rush. That was my first really time playing Jack. He honestly taught me how to pass rush. I also still talk to him, too, and try to kind of ask him questions. How do you feel about this? I send him videos of myself, just trying to help me out.”