Georgia sits in great position with four-star linebacker Ja'Bios Smith
Ja’Bios Smith arrived at Sanford Stadium an hour before recruits usually are welcomed to spend time with Georgia head coach Kirby Smart and defensive coordinator/inside linebackers coach Glenn Schumann.
The four-star linebacker from Swainsboro High School, located less than three hours from Athens, is one of the Bulldogs’ top in-state targets in the 2027 class. He has several reasons for keeping them near the top of his list.
“It was good. I liked the energy around there,” Smith told UGASports about his most recent visit to Athens. “The vibes were good. I got to talk to Coach Smart, Coach Schumann, and sit around and chill for a little bit.”
Smith closely watched how Georgia rotates its linebackers and how they played.
“It was a great game. I watched No. 5 (Raylen Wilson); he made some good plays,” the nation’s No. 110 overall player added. “I also saw No. 3 (CJ Allen), who helped lead. All of the boys were balling. I like how their rotation is. It’s good. I like how they have them rolling and things like that. … I’d be willing to do that.”
Relationship growing with Schumann
Smith feels like he has a close relationship with Schumann, who offered him a scholarship in January.
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound linebacker and Schumann stay in close communication with each other.
“It’s good; we talk every day,” Smith said of his relationship with Schumann. “We talk about stuff on the field, off the field, things in the classroom, things like that. … It’s great that I can do that with him. It’s personal.”
The Bulldogs are recruiting Smith as a middle linebacker. They offered him after his breakout sophomore season, in which he totaled 88 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, a pass breakup, and three forced fumbles.
Smith mentioned that Schumann likes how he never comes off the field.
Smith is also a utility player on offense for his high school team, lining up at quarterback and running back at times. He totaled 334 rushing yards on 60 carries with three touchdowns during his sophomore season.
“He likes that I’m fast, explosive, and can get going downhill,” Smith said.
Smith is also aware of how Schumann has already coached three Butkus Award winners while in Athens.
“We talk about both life and football, it’s like I’m already in his linebacker room at times,” Smith said. “I enjoy every time we get to talk because I feel like I’m learning. He’s developed some of the best linebackers in college football yearly, so I’m always looking to learn from our conversations.”
Catching up with an old teammate
Swainsboro gifted Georgia four-star defensive back Demello Jones, who signed with the Bulldogs in 2024.
Jones is now a redshirt-freshman, getting snaps at cornerback. He is expected to be a rotational piece this year.
Smith and Jones played together for one season for the Tigers of Emanuel County. They both helped lead their team to a second consecutive state championship game in 2024. Smith and Jones are really close.
Smith got a chance to catch up with Jones on his most recent visit to Athens.
“He’s just like, ‘Come over here and we’ll treat you good,'” Smith stated. “He said that he loved it there.”
Smith said Jones was honest with him about how tough it is to play at Georgia under Smart, but he embraces the challenge. He doesn’t mind the tough and physical practices, noting that he’s accustomed to them.
Smith has visited a Georgia practice before and has seen how it operates.
“I’ve been to a practice before and followed the (linebacker) group around. (Coach Shumann), he was coaching me up and quizzing me the entire practice,” Smith said. “I really enjoyed being around those guys.”
Bulldogs are a top team for Smith
Georgia and South Carolina sit in pole position for Smith, but Florida, Tennessee, and others are pushing hard.
Smith said it helps the Bulldogs that he has a strong relationship with Scumann and a former teammate in Athens.
Smith can envision himself playing between the hedges one day, running out of the tunnel in the red and black.
“When I was younger, I wasn’t big on (watching) football. But when I’m bored, I get on my phone, and just go over old things at UGA,” Smith said. “It’s things they’ve done and things that they’ve done in the past. I click on videos. I’ve seen (highlights of) Nakobe Dean. I can see myself on that field one day making plays.”