Who Will Land the Star LB? Oregon, Alabama, Georgia, or Michigan?
The battle for the nation’s top linebacker prospect in the 2025 recruiting cycle has taken center stage this summer, with four powerhouse programs—Oregon, Alabama, Georgia, and Michigan—locked in a high-stakes fight for a game-changing defender. The player in question: five-star linebacker Malik Spencer, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound force of nature out of Buford High School in Georgia. Ranked as the No. 1 linebacker and a top-10 overall player nationally, Spencer is the kind of recruit who doesn’t just fill a need—he redefines a defense.
Spencer has become the most sought-after defensive player in the country, and his recruitment is playing out like a high-profile chess match among four of college football’s biggest names. With elite athleticism, freakish range, and a football IQ far beyond his years, Spencer has all the tools to become an immediate impact player at the next level—and maybe a future first-round NFL Draft pick.
So the question is: Who will land the star linebacker? Let’s break down where things stand for each contender, and what might ultimately tip the scale in their favor.
When you’re talking about linebacker development, it’s hard to compete with Alabama. Under Nick Saban, the Tide produced a litany of elite linebackers—C.J. Mosley, Reuben Foster, Rashaan Evans, Dylan Moses, Will Anderson Jr., and more. Even with Saban now retired, the legacy still looms large, and new head coach Kalen DeBoer has made Spencer a top priority.
Alabama was one of the first schools to offer Spencer during his sophomore season, and that early attention helped build a strong relationship. Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack has personally overseen the recruitment, flying out multiple times and emphasizing how Spencer would be used as a hybrid playmaker in Bama’s evolving 4-2-5 scheme.
Spencer visited Tuscaloosa in June and came away impressed, particularly with the facilities, the culture of competition, and Alabama’s player development approach.
“It’s a different kind of intensity there,” Spencer said in a post-visit interview. “Everything is about excellence. There’s a real sense of accountability and tradition.”
But the key challenge for Alabama? Convincing Spencer that the post-Saban era will continue to produce the same defensive dominance. While DeBoer has proved he can win—coming off a College Football Playoff appearance with Washington—there’s still uncertainty about whether Alabama can remain the premier program without its iconic leader.
Still, the Tide remain firmly in the mix, and if Spencer wants to become the next great linebacker in a long legacy of legends, Alabama might be the ideal destination.
It’s hard to imagine a better fit than Georgia. Not only is Spencer from the Peach State, but Kirby Smart has turned the Bulldogs into the new gold standard of defense in college football. With three straight College Football Playoff appearances, two national titles, and an assembly line of defensive draft picks, Georgia is now the program that every elite defender has to consider.
Linebacker U? Georgia might be it. Nakobe Dean, Roquan Smith, Quay Walker, Nolan Smith—all recent first-rounders. And with co-defensive coordinators Glenn Schumann and Will Muschamp, Georgia continues to build versatile, fast, and ferocious defenses. The Bulldogs have sold Spencer on being the centerpiece of their next wave.
Georgia has hosted Spencer multiple times, and the staff has rolled out the red carpet on each visit. He’s tight with several current players, and there’s no doubt the hometown pull is real.
“Coach Smart doesn’t promise anything,” Spencer said after an official visit to Athens. “He just shows what they’ve done, and it speaks for itself. They want me to come in and compete. That’s what I love.”
Still, proximity and prestige don’t always guarantee a commitment. Spencer has said he wants to be “uncomfortable” during his college years—pushed, challenged, and exposed to new environments. That mindset may work against Georgia’s home-field advantage, but if development and winning matter most, the Bulldogs are arguably in the strongest position.
Of all the finalists, Oregon might be the biggest surprise—but they’re no underdog in this fight. Head coach Dan Lanning, the architect of Georgia’s 2021 national championship defense, has used his SEC pedigree to build a top-tier unit in Eugene. And he’s pitched Spencer on being the face of the Ducks’ defensive evolution.
Oregon has recruited nationally under Lanning, and they’ve spared no expense in making Spencer feel wanted. The Ducks flew him out for an extended official visit in early July, where he toured campus, met with academic advisors, and spent significant time with defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi—who has deep roots in SEC recruiting.
The biggest appeal for Spencer at Oregon? Opportunity and branding. He would be the clear alpha in a system built around his versatility, with the freedom to roam sideline to sideline, rush off the edge, or drop into coverage. Add in Nike’s involvement, the program’s aggressive NIL structure, and a rising Pac-12 turned Big Ten stage, and you’ve got a compelling package.
“Oregon isn’t just flash anymore,” Spencer told 247Sports. “They’re building something real. And I’d be one of the guys leading that.”
Oregon may not have the rings that Alabama or Georgia boast, but what they lack in history, they’re making up for with vision, investment, and energy. Lanning has been relentless in this recruitment, and Oregon’s momentum can’t be ignored.
Jim Harbaugh may be gone, but the Michigan Wolverines haven’t slowed down. New head coach Sherrone Moore is building on the foundation Harbaugh left, and Michigan is still a top-tier defensive destination. With three straight wins over Ohio State and a national championship under their belt, the Wolverines are selling Spencer on legacy—and elite development.
Michigan doesn’t always recruit five-star flash, but when they land elite talent, they maximize it. Just look at players like Aidan Hutchinson, David Ojabo, and Junior Colson. Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, with years of NFL experience, has presented Spencer with a pro-style blueprint—an NFL training ground disguised as college football.
“They’re really about football,” Spencer said of Michigan. “No distractions. Just work. And that’s how I’ve always approached the game.”
Spencer also connected with Michigan’s culture during his visit. He bonded with players, spent time in the weight room, and was impressed by the program’s strength and conditioning structure. Academically, Michigan also ranks among the best, and Spencer’s family has emphasized education throughout his recruitment.
The question for Michigan is whether they can match the NIL and branding appeal of other contenders. While Michigan has made strides in the NIL space, they’ve prioritized development and draft positioning more than flashy deals—and Spencer may want a blend of both.
As of now, Spencer has no public commitment date, but he’s hinted that a decision could come before the high school season kicks off in early September. He’s completed all his official visits and has reportedly narrowed it down to the four finalists. Sources close to his camp suggest that the decision may come down to “structure versus spark”—the proven blue bloods vs. the rising programs with high-ceiling potential.
For Alabama and Georgia, this recruitment is about legacy, development, and staying atop the college football mountain. For Oregon and Michigan, it’s about presenting a bold new path—either by becoming the next face of a rising power or being developed like a future pro in a disciplined machine.
Spencer’s decision will not only shake up the 2025 class rankings but will also serve as a defining moment for one of these programs. Land him, and you’re getting a generational defender. Miss out, and you’ve got to game plan against him for the next three years.
No matter where he ends up, Malik Spencer is about to change a program’s future—and everyone is watching.
Let the countdown begin.
