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Georgia Head Coach Praises Star Linebacker Chris Cole After Huge Performance
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- Georgia Head Coach Praises Star Linebacker Chris Cole After Huge Performance
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
The Georgia Bulldogs are beginning to round into form on the defensive side of the ball, enjoying perhaps their most successful run there since the national title teams at the start of this decade.
Last weekend's victory over the Florida Gators highlighted just how much this unit can control a game and be able to flat out take over. A massive part of the success Georgia has seen in stopping opposing offenses for most of this season has been the emergence of Chris Cole as one of the best linebackers in the country.
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Bulldogs fans were of course already very familiar with Cole and expected this breakout, but he has introduced himself to the rest of the country this season and continues to do so on a weekly basis. Head coach Kirby Smart was asked about the steps Cole has taken to become an elite player this year, and it's clear he thinks extremely highly of him.
Smart Loves What Cole Brings to This Defense
"His intelligence first," Smart said when asked how Cole has taken his game to the next level. "He is very purpose driven...he has all these attributes but he's smart and understands football."
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Smart went on to say that Cole is very different from the long line of elite linebackers who have come through Georgia before him, but that this is a good thing. With a rare blend of speed, athleticism and football IQ, he has a chance to be one of the best to ever play in Athens and will be a star at the next level.
Cole is the straw that stirs the drink for this defense, and nobody knows that more so than Smart. After making contributions early in his career, it was clear to anyone who pays attention that this was due to be the year that he became the guy the Bulldogs have thought he could.
As he continues to rack up tackles, sacks and even touchdowns, Cole has reinforced the fact that Georgia may very well have the best defense in college football, and Smart clearly has a strong understanding of exactly what he brings.
If Cole can keep on ascending and find a way to get even better, not only is he going to impact this unit in significant ways, but he may just find a way to become a very early selection in the NFL Draft next April.
It has become tradition for the Bulldogs to be led by an elite linebacker who is the alpha of this defense, and after watching it for years, Cole has taken on that role with pride.
