After getting 12 invitees into the NFL scouting combine in 2018, UGA has 10 guys at this year’s iteration of the scouting combine, three of which were the key cogs in the so-called Great Wall of Georgia.
I’m taking a closer look at each: Solomon Kindley, Isaiah Wilson and Andrew Thomas. First up, Mr. Kindley.
Surprising to many, Kindley actually appeared in the first round of a recent mock draft because of his prototypical NFL guard qualities. Although tackle is the premium line slot, since they protect the quarterback’s blindside and the outside edge, solid guard play is crucial to interior running, a Georgia specialty in the Kirby Smart era.
Nov 30, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Solomon Kindley (66) and offensive lineman Andrew Thomas (71) celebrate with fans after a victory against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
The NFL guard that always comes to my mind is Dallas Cowboy Nate Newton, a stalwart of their Super Bowl teams. He may not be destined for such lofty greatness, but Kindley has the potential to develop into a strong NFL guard. He was well coached at UGA.
Controlling dominant middle defenders on running plays is one key next level skill set, and another is pass protection. In his time at UGA, Kindley was able to keep guys off of Jake Fromm from up the middle of the pocket. Though, they did have some interior line trouble in the 2017 SEC championship game. Overall, this allowed a not that mobile three-year starter at quarterback, who measured in at just under 6-2, to convert the highest percentage of completions in UGA history.
Kindley started 10 games in 2017 and started throughout 2018, grading out highly as junior. Georgia was a very competitive team as he started.
Like offensive line classmates Andrew Thomas and Isaiah Wilson, he opted early for the NFL, as line coach Sam Pittman also left Athens, to be the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Kindley is fleet enough of foot to pull when called on to do so and plenty big for a guard, though shorter than a tackle. That can actually be an advantage, as modern quarterbacks are not consistently tall. They could still see over him. He will remain inside in the NFL and be a strong addition to a team, if he continues to improve his craft.
When they are good, NFL guards can more easily have long careers than edge blockers, because the sheer speed of upcoming young defenders is less of an issue in there.
Kindley is generally viewed as a third or fourth round pick, at 6-3 and 337 pounds. The guard position is not seen as the highest need for most NFL teams, and college tackles can also be moved inside at times with success.