Three Georgia Bulldog LB Commits Named Butkus Award Finalists
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ATHENS - If you didn’t know by now, Glenn Schumann and the Georgia Bulldogs have three of the best high school linebackers on the way next year.
Raylen Wilson, a high-four star from Tallahassee, FL, four-star CJ Allen out of Barnesville, GA, and four-star Troy Bowles out of Tampa, FL, will keep the “Linebacker University” culture alive and well in Athens. With those three on board, expect Kirby Smart’s defense to continue to thrive at the linebacker position over the next several years.
That’s because all three have been named finalists for the 2022 High School Butkus Award.
Wilson, a 6-foot-2 220-pounder from Lincoln High School, is extremely athletic with elite instincts for the position. As a senior this fall, Wilson made 120 tackles, averaging 20 tackles per game, and got to the quarterback 11 times. He’s ranked as the 2 LB prospect, the No. 11 player in Florida, and the No. 51 overall prospect in the country.
Lincoln linebackers coach Eli Will spoke with Dawg Post about what makes Wilson such a special player.
“I would say his maturity, and knowledge of the game for someone is age is astonishing. I think that’s one piece of his game that makes him special. To add what he does on the field, and to be able to move sideline to sideline at any given time to make plays, is at an elite level. You don’t see too many high school players that’s NFL ready and he’s NFL ready. That great staff in Athens is only going to add more tools to his arsenal.”
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Allen, one of the top two-way prospects in Georgia, is a tough, physical linebacker with size at 6-foot-1 225-pounds. He’s one of three Georgia linebackers up for the prestigious award this year. Ranked as the No. 10 LB, the No. 6 prospect in Georgia, and the No. 105 prospect in the country according to the 247 Composite Rankings, Allen made 84 tackles on defense while rushing for 1,628 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Then there’s Bowles, another instinctive linebacker and one of the hardest hitters in the area. He’s quick, he’s a consistent tackler, and has SEC-level size at speed at 6-foot-1 205-pounds. He’s ranked as the No. 4 LB, the No. 14 prospect in Florida, and the No. 63 overall prospect in the 2023 class.
Here are the 2022 High School Butkus Award Finalists:
C.J. Allen, Lamar County (Barnesville, Ga.)
Jamal Anderson, Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.)
Jaiden Ausberry, University Laboratory (Baton Rouge, La.)
Drayk Bowen, Andrean (Merriville, Ind.)
Troy Bowles, Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.)
Malik Bryant, Jones (Orlando, Fla.)
Lewis Carter, Tampa Catholic (Tampa, Fla.)
Tackett Curtis, Many (Many, La.)
Grant Godfrey, North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.)
Derion Gullette, Marlin (Marlin, Texas)
Anthony Hill, Ryan (Denton, Texas)
Ben Kueter, Iowa City (Iowa City, Iowa)
Suntarine Perkins, Raleigh (Raleigh, Miss.)
Arvell Reese, Glenville (Cleveland, Ohio)
Raylen Wilson, Lincoln (Tallahassee, Fla.)
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