Georgia has recently enjoyed incredible success recruiting linebackers. The Bulldogs signed nine recruits rated four stars or better at those positions for the 2018-19 classes.

The depth gained from those signings meant linebacker wasn’t a position of need for the last cycle. Four-star Mekhail Sherman was the only player at that position signed by the Bulldogs for 2020.

It’s time for UGA to load up on linebackers again for 2021, and at least one player at that spot is already earning a lot of attention.

Four-star recruit Barrett Carter — from Suwanee, Ga. — is the nation’s No. 4 outside linebacker, and the No. 54 player overall. He recently released his top 11 — which included UGA — and the only Crystal Ball prediction recorded so far at 247Sports.com has Carter landing in Athens.

If that happens, UGA fans will have a lot to celebrate.

Former Atlanta Falcon and Tennessee Vol defensive end Chuck Smith joined DawgNation Daily this week and offered an interesting comparison between Carter and one of the hottest names ahead of this year’s NFL draft.

“Let me tell you who he is, he’s [like] Isaiah Simmons from Clemson,” Smith said. “He’s not as tall obviously, but he’s a linebacker you can literally play everywhere. He’s going to be 235 pounds, and he’s lightning fast — a former receiver.”

That’s a projection bound to get people talking.

Simmons was one of the most heralded performers at the recent NFL scouting combine — running a 4.39 40-yard dash — a performance that ESPN analyst Todd McShay described as being on “a different level.”

Could Carter one day also achieve Simmons’ level? Possibly.

He’s already following Simmon’s path in at least one respect. Carter is expected to visit Simmons’ former school, Clemson, this weekend. Those kinds of visits should be expected. If UGA wins this recruitment, it won’t do so without a fight.

However, this is apparently a fight worth being in for the Bulldogs because Simmons isn’t the only player Smith used as a comparison for Carter.

“The difference I’ll say between [Carter] and Simmons is that he’ll have the ability to be a Mike linebacker like another great former Bulldog, Roquan Smith,” Chuck Smith said. “He has those kinds of qualities.”

Carter’s qualities also extend beyond the field as well. A video of him demonstrating a tackling technique to a young boy during an elementary school visit recently got a lot of attention. It showed Carter in a generous light — happily sharing his time with a huge smile on his face.

It’s seemingly the kind of personality that will make Carter sought after by all the top programs — especially when it’s paired with his expansive talent.

“There’s a lot to like about him,” Chuck Smith said. “He’s a special kid.”