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The X factor that helped Georgia land four-star LB
Georgia Bulldogs defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Glenn Schumann. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The X factor that helped Georgia land four-star LB over Michigan, Oregon and Alabama

This will go down as a massive recruiting win for Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs.

Nick Abrams II is a four-star linebacker from Owings Mills, Maryland. He's ranked as the No. 14 linebacker in the 2026 class, according to 247Sports, and the No. 6 player from his state.

He's an elite linebacker recruit, and he has offers to boot. With 30 to his name, Abrams' final four came down to Georgia, Michigan, Oregon and Alabama.

It was a heavyweight recruiting battle, but one that Smart and the Bulldogs ultimately won. He can thank defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach Glenn Schumann for that.

"Coach Schumann [has] three Butkus Award winners [and] the numerous first-round draft picks he put in the league in recent years. He is the best doing it now," Abrams told Brian Dohn of 247Sports "Being coached by him, if you want to be the best, you go and get coached by the best. You want to be the best you have to go and compete with the best."

That's a massive endorsement of Schumann, but his results speak for themselves on the field.  For a linebacker that eventually wants to play NFL football, few schools produce them like they do at UGA.

"Georgia has one of the best linebacker rooms in the country," Abrams said.

The four-star was also effusive in his praise of Smart and what he brings to the table for a young and talented recruit as a head coach.

"The development and the knowledge, going from a high school kid to a young man in college, I think Coach Smart is one of the best to do it," Abrams said. "They check almost every box and I am excited to get right to work when I get there."

A big part of the reason Smart has had so much success at Georgia is because of his abilities on the recruiting trail, and his 2026 class is once again proving those abilities.

UGA now has 29 commitments with Abrams aboard in a class that's ranked No. 2 nationally

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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