Georgia Recruiting: The Status of Major 2021 Linebacker Targets
Linebacker is a key position for the Georgia Bulldogs in the class of 2021. Jermaine Johnson, Nate McBride, and Monty Rice are all seniors and Azeez Ojulari could be in a good position for the NFL Draft. Losing this amount of talent from the linebacker core isn't easy for any program, but the Dawgs are already off to a good start in their attempt to replenish their depth. Jamon Dumas-Johnson, an inside linebacker from Baltimore, Maryland, and Chaz Chambliss, an outside linebacker from Carrollton, Georgia, are both Si All-American Candidates and were prospects that were highly coveted.
Today, we examine the remaining major 2021 linebacker targets for UGA and the status of their recruitments.
SMAEL MONDON
Smael Mondon is a native of Dallas, Georgia, and the Paulding County standout outside linebacker is regarded by many as the best OLB in the country. However, at 6'3" 220, Mondon could easily move inside as well, and according to our sources, that's exactly where he will be playing if he ends up at Georgia. Overall Mondon is a tremendous athlete and a natural star. Also, he is of the absolute highest priority to Glen Schumann, Dan Lanning, Kirby Smart, and the Georgia program.
Mondon has solidified himself as a national talent in a way that is different than basically any other in history. Mondon has never been to a prospect camp or a college showcase. Smael simply loves the game of football and has grown where he was planted, so to speak, at Paulding County. It's a rare approach, but one to be commended, especially since Mondon has not bolted for greener pastures as Paulding County has a record of 3-17 over the past two seasons.
If we at Dawgs Daily on SI.com had to summarize Mondon's recruitment status now in one word, it would be 'uncertain'. The nation's No. 6 overall prospect on the SI All-American's SI99, led everyone to believe back in July that a decision was imminent via his social media accounts. However, the month came and went with no announcement and the same for August. It's been our position from the start that Mondon will ultimately be a Georgia Bulldog, but the longer the recruitment drags on, the more opportunity there is for Auburn and Tennessee to close the gap and potentially steal the Peach State product.
XAVIAN SOREY
If Mondon is 1A for Georgia, Xavian Sorey is 1B. Sorey, like Mondon, is a very versatile linebacker that could be used in a variety of ways at the next level. At 6'3 215, Sorey has the frame to allow him to move to inside backer, if needed, and the athleticism to wreak havoc on opposing offenses. Sorey is very instinctive and seems to do everything with ease on the gridiron. Whether he is in pursuit of a quarterback or ball carrier, or dropping back into pass coverage, the IMG academy prospect does so very fluidly.
Sorey has the frame and the speed necessary to be an early contributor wherever he ends up. With Georgia losing Monty Rice in the middle after 2020, and Nakobe Dean likely to be on his way to the NFL after 2021, Georgia is in need of a prospect at linebacker that can provide immediate depth and ultimately be the next signal-caller and producer in the middle of the Bulldog defense. Sorey certainly seems capable of doing both. He's also athletic enough to be a terror off the edge.
Georgia's main competitors for Sorey at present time seem to be Florida and Alabama.
TERRENCE COOKS
Admittedly Terrence Cooks is not a name that for the longest time most would associate with Georgia in terms of recruiting. It was somewhat surprising when Georgia made his top six, but in a previous interview, Cooks explained what has him seriously considering playing his college ball in Athens.
Discussing his relationship with Georgia, Cooks shared, "It's good. I've talked a lot with Coach Glenn (Schumann) and he does a good job of laying things out and breaks down how they would use me and stuff like that, he did that with me and my dad. They have a good strategy and a good program. I also talked to Coach Nick Williams at one point too. So it's good. Now really I just have to get down there and visit."
Just like Mondon and Sorey, Cooks stands tall at 6'3" and he is very physical and a true edge setter. Also, Cooks possess true 4.5 speed and has a tenacity about his and always sprints to the football in pursuit of the ball carrier. The Shadow Creek High School star is also very good as a zone dropper in the pass game and breaks on the ball quite well. It will be interesting to see his recruitment play out this fall and if a visit to Athens can impress Cooks enough to pull him away from the likes of Baylor, Texas, A&M, and Oklahoma. Washington also made the top six for Cooks and since releasing that Cooks has received an offer from LSU.
This recruitment seems to be far from over. If Georgia can end up landing two of these three prospects, they have a legitimate shot to take home their second straight SI All-American Recruiting title.
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