Nick Abrams, the standout linebacker from McDonogh School in Owings, Maryland, is the kind of prospect that gets defensive coordinators excited - and for good reason. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound four-star committed to Georgia back in July, choosing the Bulldogs over a loaded offer sheet that included Oregon, Michigan, Alabama, and more than two dozen other programs. His commitment gave Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann another high-upside piece in a growing 2026 linebacker class that already includes Elijah Littlejohn and Terrence Penick.
Abrams isn’t just a name on a rankings list - though he’s ranked No. 22 among linebackers nationally and No. 10 overall in Maryland, according to 247Sports. He’s a tone-setter on the field, a player whose production backs up the hype.
During his senior season, Abrams helped guide McDonogh to an 8-3 record and an MIAA Class A runner-up finish. His stat line was as complete as it gets: 84 total tackles (27 solo), 13 tackles for loss, nine sacks, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery.
That kind of impact earned him a spot on the 2025 All-MIAA Football Team.
What’s impressive is that this wasn’t a one-year breakout. Abrams has been a difference-maker for McDonogh since his sophomore season.
That year, he posted 36 tackles and two tackles for loss. As a junior, he took a big leap, registering 77 tackles (26 solo), nine tackles for loss, four sacks, an interception, and a blocked punt, once again helping his team reach the MIAA Class A title game.
That’s three straight seasons ending with McDonogh as league runners-up - and Abrams was in the thick of it each time.
Recruiting-wise, Abrams took a midseason visit to Michigan, but it was Georgia that clearly left the strongest impression. He made two trips to Athens last season, catching the Bulldogs in action against Alabama and Texas. And when it came time to make a decision, the message from Georgia’s staff resonated.
"It's just, you want to be a Georgia Bulldog," Abrams said. "You're going to come here, and you're going to have to work.
So that's really their message. So I'm up for the challenge."
That mentality fits right in with what Georgia builds on defense - tough, smart, versatile players who embrace competition. Abrams checks every one of those boxes.
According to 247Sports national analyst Hudson Standish, Abrams is a “well-built sideline-to-sideline thumper” with long arms and a broad frame, especially for his height. He diagnoses the run quickly, takes excellent pursuit angles, and brings real pop when he gets downhill.
He’s not just a run-stopper, though. Abrams shows real flexibility as a pass rusher, whether he’s coming off the edge, spying the quarterback, or green-dog blitzing when his man stays in to block.
He’s also comfortable in space, a key trait in today’s game, where linebackers are asked to do more in coverage than ever before.
Standish also notes Abrams’ ability to redirect and close quickly, which helped fuel his high tackle-for-loss numbers as a junior. And here’s the kicker - Abrams is still young for his class, turning 17 just a month before his senior season. That means his physical and mental ceiling is still rising.
At this stage, Abrams projects as a well-rounded off-ball linebacker with the tools to become a quality starter for a playoff-caliber program. Georgia’s track record of developing linebackers is well documented, and Abrams looks like the next in line to benefit from that pipeline.
Bottom line: Georgia didn’t just land a talented linebacker - they landed a worker, a leader, and a player who’s already shown he can produce at a high level. If his growth continues on this trajectory, Abrams could be a name SEC offenses have to account for sooner rather than later.