With Ohio State and Georgia pushing for a fall visit, Top247 defensive lineman Chase Linton decommitted from Rutgers. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Linton — the class of 2025‘s No. 191 overall prospect and No. 24 defensive lineman — committed in early June at the end of an official visit.
However, Georgia kept pushing for the in-state prospect from North Atlanta High. The Buckeyes also are in involved.
Linton informed Rutgers of his decision Saturday and then announced.
“My family and I had amazing experiences at @RFootball and met great coaches and athletes,” he wrote. “So it’s very difficult to post this but at this time I’m re-opening my recruitment.”
Linton, who visited Georgia following his Rutgers commitment, is slated to visit the Bulldogs in October. Meanwhile, Ohio State is also recruiting Linton.
Linton camped with Georgia in late May but was not offered because he left early to head to Rutgers for his official visit. He wound up committing at the end of that visit, but Georgia continued to recruit him and extended an offer when he was on campus in late July.
Bulldogs outside linebackers coach Chidera Uzo-Diribe worked with Linton.
“He’s a good coach,” Linton told 247Sports previously. “He gave me some good tips to take back with me and to focus on my own. He was firm, but not too firm. It was just really helpful.”
Scouting report from Linton’s 247Sports profile: Ascending pass rusher with some of the best multi-sport athletic markers in his position group for the cycle highlighted by a staggering 44-8.5 triple jump personal best pushing 6-foot-4, 215 pounds. Checks every box physically with an explosive lower half that can generate plenty of power paired with a nearly 80-inch wingspan and elite arm length measurements.
Could easily stick at edge rusher long-term but owns the physical clay to spin down and find a home on the defensive line after time in a collegiate strength and conditioning program. Put together a solid junior campaign that showcased flashes of dominance, but really caught our eye after complete performances at the Under Armour Charlotte camp and his 2024 spring game in May. An easy bender who can run the arc with ease thanks to superb knee and hip flexibility. Plays with a quick first step backed up by top-tier combine testing data.
Doesn’t own the deepest bag of pass-rushing moves, but plays with fantastic effort and should be able to easily add more to his game as his body develops. Linton has started to put the pieces together ahead of his senior season and could shoot up the board with a productive final prep campaign. Should be viewed as a highly athletic pass rusher who will likely need some time before he’s ready to compete at the P4 level, but could develop into a game-wrecker with colossal NFL Draft upside.