Breaking into the Georgia Bulldogs’ linebacker corps is one of the toughest challenges in college football. Head coach Kirby Smart consistently fills the lineup with talent destined for the NFL. With Smael Mondon Jr. and Jalon Walker’s departure, rising sophomore Chris Cole stands to gain in a big way.
Remarkably, Smart holds high expectations for Cole and believes he has the potential to offer much more and emerge as a top player.
Kirby Smart’s High Praise for Former 5-Star LB Chris Cole
Filling Mondon Jr. and Walker’s shoes is no small feat, but with the expected starters CJ Allen and Raylen Wilson, the team is in good hands. Behind them, the depth has a pool of talent, including Cole. Expectations for the former five-star LB are high, and Smart had plenty to say about this promising young defender last season.
It’s clear Kirby Smart has high expectations for one of his young defenders in 2025.
“He has size, he can run, but he’s really intelligent as well as very conscientious. We’ve been very impressed with him, the way he’s kind of grown up and gotten better.”https://t.co/guUGh9lCVw
— DawgPost (@Dawg_Post) February 24, 2025
“He has size, he can run, but he’s really intelligent as well as very conscientious. We’ve been very impressed with him, the way he’s kind of grown up and gotten better.”
The young LB from Virginia made his presence felt in all 14 games last season. He racked up 16 tackles, two tackles for loss, and two fumble recoveries. Standing at 6’3″ and weighing 235 pounds, Cole embodies the modern era of football with his great speed, size, and range.
As a true freshman, the former No. 29 overall recruit in the 2024 class and the third-ranked linebacker made impactful plays, particularly on third downs.
Smart can deploy him on the edge to hunt down quarterbacks, or he can seamlessly transition inside to team up with Raylen Wilson. Cole can do it all, which is why head coach Smart described his potential as limitless.
KEEP READING: Kirby Smart Gets Honest On Georgia’s Approach in 2025
This standout linebacker is gearing up for a possible breakout in 2025. With a starting position on the horizon, Cole is surely ready to show his incredible talent. Buckle up for a great season from this rising star.
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