Kirby Smart highlights the one leader on defense that Georgia Bulldogs might not have been expecting following win over Marshall
The Georgia Bulldogs defense always produces excellent talents, and as Kirby Smart also likes to highlight, it also produces great leaders.Last year it was linebacker Jalon Walker, safety Malaki Starks, and a handful of other stars who now find themselves in the NFL. This year, following SEC media days, everyone expected linebacker CJ Allen to […]
The Georgia Bulldogs defense always produces excellent talents, and as Kirby Smart also likes to highlight, it also produces great leaders.
Last year it was linebacker Jalon Walker, safety Malaki Starks, and a handful of other stars who now find themselves in the NFL. This year, following SEC media days, everyone expected linebacker CJ Allen to be that guy–and he still might be–but in Saturday’s victory over Marshall a different linebacker was the one who stepped up. Kirby Smart couldn’t help but credit him for becoming one of the critical leaders that Georgia’s defense sorely needs in 2025.
Raylen Wilson praised by Kirby Smart for his leadership following hugely productive game against Marshall
Third year linebacker Raylen Wilson has long been considered a phenomenal linebacker talent. He earned five star status as a linebacker recruit in high school way back in 2022 and has slowly but surely been living up to the hype ever since.
Wilson waited his turn to step into a more significant role last season as he tallied around 50 tackles in 2024 as a rotational linebacker for Georgia, but it looks like this year he is going to be an extremely important part of the Bulldogs’ success. Wilson led the Georgia Bulldogs in tackles against Marshall, tallying seven total stops, a huge sack, two tackles for loss, and a handful of pass rush pressures.
When asked about Wilson’s productive night and his overall development following the impressive showing in the victory over Marshall, Kirby Smart had this to say about the third year linebacker:
“The biggest development for [Raylen Wilson] has been leadership. He’s taken on a role of not being afraid to say things–hold people accountable. And he’s in a [linebacker] room with great leadership, with Chris [Cole], Justin [Williams], and CJ [Allen], and [Wilson] doesn’t shy away from that. He holds himself accountable, and others accountable. I’m really proud of who Raylen’s becoming as a player, but probably more importantly as a man and that kid can help us.”
It’s great to hear that even players many fans aren’t necessarily always expecting to step up as leaders are developing into next-level game wreckers, not only on the field, but off it too.
After the game, Wilson talked through his own personal development (as you can see in the post below):
“Freshman year, you’re out there just doing your job, focusing on what you’ve got to do. I feel like the more that I’ve been in the system, the more I’m good to allow everybody around me to do their job, so I can just focus on my job…I feel like all the linebackers try to [take on a more vocal role] because we need it. If it don’t come from us, it’s not going to come from nobody [on the defense], so I feel like we’ve got to bring the fire and have everybody with us.”
That fire, passion, and energy that Kirby Smart has been ranting about all offseason long is clearly alive and well in Raylen Wilson. That showed up on every play. On less than 30 snaps he racked up over a half dozen impact plays and showcased the leadership that he’s been growing into for the last three years. It may just be one game, and it’s a long season, but Wilson might just be the underrated answer for Georgia’s defense if the Bulldogs want to go far this year.
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