UGA football recruiting profile: Smael Mondon, a dynamic in-state linebacker

UGA football is the favorite to sign five-star linebacker Smael Mondon. The Paulding County product is announcing his commitment in June.

In the UGA football defense, one of the most important positions is inside linebacker. Head coach Kirby Smart and the defensive staff love inside backers who can play sideline-to-sideline, backfield-to-downfield.

One of the best such linebackers in the 2021 recruiting class is Smael Mondon, hailing from Dallas, Ga. in Paulding County. He is 6-3 and weighs 220 lbs. without any bad weight. Mondon has a frame that can carry even more muscle weight.

247Sports Composite lists Mondon as the No. 2 outside linebacker in the nation and he also plays running back for Paulding County. In Georgia’s 3-4 base defense, he fits in better as an inside linebacker where he can see more of the field.

Mondon is a natural second-level linebacker, that’s where his instincts are. Mondon always knows where the ball is at, where its heading and the best route to get to it. On his route to the ball, Mondon uses some impressive speed when unimpeded and displays equally impressive power when shedding blockers.

He isn’t just fantastic in pursuit of ball carriers, Mondon is a solid player in pass coverage downfield. Collegiate passing games are vastly superior to what he’s used to at high school, but Mondon has a great base to start from in pass defense.

Mondon is near the top of Georgia’s 2021 recruiting wishlist and the Bulldogs won’t have to wait long to find out if he’s a member of the class. Mondon recently told 247Sports he plans on making his commitment in June, though he hasn’t set an exact date.

Inside linebacker is a position of need for Georgia. The Bulldogs are looking for new talent in the front seven and already have some commitments to plug into outside linebacker and defensive end. Mondon could clear the last need in Georgia’s front seven.