Raylen Wilson

NFL Draft Profile: Raylen Wilson

Position: Inside Linebacker | School: Georgia | Class: Junior

Height: 6'1" | Weight: 235 lbs | Archetype: Hybrid (Coverage / Blitz Specialist)

College Career Summary

Raylen Wilson arrived in Athens as one of the most athletic linebacker prospects in the 2023 recruiting class. A former track star with sub-11.0 second 100-meter speed, Wilson spent his freshman year (2023) as an SEC All-Freshman rotational piece before exploding into a key role in 2024. As a sophomore, he recorded 47 tackles and 7.0 TFLs, earning SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors for a dominant performance against Kentucky.

In 2025, Wilson ascended to a full-time starter alongside CJ Allen, forming arguably the nation's fastest linebacker duo. He co-led the Bulldogs in tackles across multiple games and served as a high-motor disruptor in Kirby Smart’s complex 3-4 front. His senior-level processing combined with "freakish" GPS-tracked speed (hitting nearly 23 MPH in pads) makes him a modern-day prototype for the position.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 39

• Total Tackles: 132 (70 in 2025)

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 12.5 (5.5 in 2025)

• Sacks: 4.5 (2.5 in 2025)

• Pass Breakups: 2 (1 in 2025)

• Forced Fumbles: 1

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
vs. Marshall	7 Tkl, 2.0 TFL, 1.0 Sk	A	Total backfield disruption; showed elite Acceleration.
vs. Austin Peay	7 Tkl, 0.5 TFL	B+	Clean tackling; co-led team in stops.
@ Tennessee	9 Tkl, 1 QBH	A-	Mental Toughness. Stood tall in a hostile environment.
vs. Alabama	6 Tkl	B	Worst Game. Struggled slightly with gap discipline early.
vs. Kentucky	3 Tkl	B-	Quiet stat sheet but sound in Play Recognition.
@ Auburn	6 Tkl	B+	Sideline-to-sideline Pursuit was on full display.
vs. Ole Miss	2 Tkl	C+	Minimal impact against high-tempo spread.
vs. Florida	8 Tkl, 0.5 TFL	B+	Physical presence in a rivalry win.
@ Miss State	6 Tkl, 1.0 TFL, 1.0 Sk	A	Star impact; sack and PBU at critical junctures.
vs. Texas	5 Tkl	B	Sound in coverage; limited yards after catch.
vs. Charlotte	6 Tkl	A-	High Motor; was everywhere despite the blowout score.
@ GA Tech	4 Tkl, 1 QBH	B+	Disciplined against the triple-option/run-heavy look.
SEC Champ vs Bama	5 Tkl	A-	Leadership; directed a unit that held Bama to 7 pts.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• World-Class Speed: Wilson is a track athlete in pads. His ability to close distances and hawk down ball carriers from the opposite hash is elite.

• Versatility: Equally comfortable knifing through a gap for a TFL as he is mirroring a running back 20 yards downfield.

• Football Pedigree: The son of former NFL WR Robert Wilson; he displays a professional approach to film and preparation.

• Technical Growth: Shows significant improvement in block deconstruction, using a violent punch to keep offensive linemen off his chest.

Weaknesses

• Lack of Length: At 6'1", he doesn't have the massive wingspan of a Suntarine Perkins or Lander Barton. This can occasionally limit his tackling radius against powerful backs.

• Over-Aggression: His elite speed sometimes leads him to overrun plays or bite too hard on play-action, though his recovery speed often masks this.

• Weight Ceiling: Hovering around 235 lbs, scouts will watch to see if he can maintain his 4.4-level speed if he tries to bulk up to 245+ for the NFL.

Scheme Fit: Ideal WILL Linebacker in a 4-3 or an Inside Linebacker in a 3-4 who is allowed to roam and blitz.

NFL Comparison: Roquan Smith (Ravens) / Devin White

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

Intangibles: 18/20 | Physical Tools: 19/20 | Attributes: 17/20 | Athleticism: 20/20 | IQ: 17/20

Final Grade: 91/100

Raylen Wilson is an "eraser." In an NFL that is increasingly horizontal and focused on explosive plays, Wilson is the antidote. His speed is a rare commodity at the linebacker position, and his development under Glenn Schumann at Georgia suggests he is ready for the mental rigors of a pro defense. While QBs and Edge Rushers will go higher due to positional value, Wilson is a Blue Chip off-ball linebacker who will likely be one of the first 40 players taken.

Draft Projection: 1st - 2nd Round