Tag: ben cleveland uga

Georgia football’s Ben Cleveland wants to break NFL combine record

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Ben Cleveland will try to break the NFL combine bench press record at Georgia’ 2021 pro day.

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Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Ben Cleveland is an incredible athlete and will try to break the NFL combine bench press record at Georgia’ 2021 pro day. Cleveland has been preparing for the 2021 NFL Draft after he opted out of the Peach Bowl against Cincinnati.

Ben Cleveland, who attended Stephens County High School, started at offensive guard for Georgia this season. Ben Cleveland dominated as a run blocker during the 2021 season. He’s one of the strongest players to ever come through the University of Georgia football program and should test well on all athletic tests on pro day.

Cleveland should have a legitimate chance to break the combine bench press record of 49 reps of 225 pounds. Former Oregon State defensive tackle Stephen Paea (2011) currently holds the NFL combine bench press record.

While Ben Cleveland wouldn’t officially set the record, it would still be an impressive accomplishment and help boost his NFL draft stock.

Ben Cleveland played for the University of Georgia from 2016-2020. Cleveland made an immediate impact as a freshman and played in every game during Georgia’s SEC Championship season in 2017.

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UGA football OL declares for NFL Draft, opts out of Peach Bowl

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Ben Cleveland has declared for the 2021 NFL Draft and is opting out of the Peach Bowl against Cincinnati

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Ben Cleveland has declared for the 2021 NFL Draft and is opting out of the Peach Bowl against Cincinnati. Cleveland is a senior, so he had the option to stay in Athens for yet another year.

Ben Cleveland, who attended Stephens County High School, started at offensive guard for Georgia this season. Now, he’ll likely be replaced by Warren Ericson. The Peach Bowl will give Georgia fans an opportunity to see what the offensive line will look like in the future.

Last season, both Isaiah Wilson and Andrew Thomas opted out of the Sugar Bowl against Baylor. The duo ended up as first round picks in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Ben Cleveland dominated as a run blocker this season. He’s one of the strongest players to ever come through the University of Georgia football program and will be a treat to watch in the NFL and at the NFL Combine (look for him to put up freak numbers there).

Ben Cleveland thanked Georgia Bulldogs fans, his coaches, and his teammates in a message via his Twitter account:

Georgia Bulldog fans should be grateful for all the years Ben Cleveland spent in Athens from 2016-2020. Cleveland made an immediate impact as a freshman and played in every game during Georgia’s SEC Championship season in 2017.

Ben Cleveland is set to be among the numerous Georgia football participants in the 2021 Senior Bowl.

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Pro Football Focus tabs UGA’s Trey Hill as highest graded interior lineman in CFB

UGA center Trey Hill was named the highest-graded interior offensive lineman in college football for week 13 by Pro Football Focus (PFF).

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Georgia’s offensive line turned heads in their performance vs. South Carolina on Saturday night.

The Bulldogs rushed for 336 yards and four touchdowns on the way to a 45-16 win in Columbia.

Senior guard Ben Cleveland was named SEC Lineman of the Week while senior center Trey Hill was named the highest-graded interior offensive lineman in college football for week 13 by Pro Football Focus (PFF).

It should be noted that the Gamecocks were down several defensive starters, including Kinsley Enagbare, the SEC’s leader in sacks, but the way Hill played from his center position was awesome to watch and it should boost his NFL Draft stock.

Watch Hill blow a couple of South Carolina defenders off the line to spring running back James Cook for a long run.

It was great to see this Bulldogs offensive line get back on track after just eight yards rushing vs. Mississippi State in week 12.

The No. 9 Bulldogs (6-2) are back in action this Saturday in Athens vs. Vanderbilt (0-8). Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET on SEC Network.

 

UGA football player card: OL Ben Cleveland

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Ben Cleveland is among the most experienced returning members of UGA’s talented offensive front.

Ben Cleveland, Offensive Line (#74):

Class: Senior

Height: 6-6

Weight: 335 pounds

Hometown: Toccoa, Georgia

High School: Stephens County High School

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Ben Cleveland is among the most experienced returning members of UGA’s talented offensive front. Cleveland has played in 36 total games over his three seasons in Georgia. Cleveland redshirted as a freshman back in 2016. Cleveland started at right guard in seven games last season.

Cleveland will be the strongest player on Georgia’s team next season. He’s a player to watch at the 2021 NFL Combine. Cleveland is a freak athlete and will be worth watching on the bench press, where he should crush it.

Cleveland will compete with Xavier Truss, Jamaree Salyer, Warren Ericson, Justin Shaffer, Warren McClendon, Broderick Jones, and more for a starting role in 2020. Fans should expect Cleveland to be a starter next season. The main question is where?

Georgia Bulldogs offensive line coach Matt Luke isn’t short on talent despite losing three players to the 2020 NFL Draft. Cleveland will help Georgia fill in the experience lost from last season. He missed the 2020 Sugar Bowl against Baylor due to academic issues, but he gave the Dawgs a big boost with his return for his senior season.

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Georgia can dominate the offensive trenches in 2020

The University of Georgia football team lost an abundance of talent in the offensive trenches this off-season.

Kirby Smart and the University of Georgia lost an abundance of talent in the trenches this off-season. Georgia is losing four starting offensive linemen from the 2019 season. Kirby Smart recruits aggressively so the Dawgs can reload and not rebuild.

Center Trey Hill will be the only returning start from 2019’s line. That doesn’t mean UGA will lack talent in 2020. The Bulldogs return numerous offensive linemen  (in addition to Hill) with valuable experience including: Justin Shaffer (now healthy), Ben Cleveland, and Jamaree Salyer. Georgia will need each of their experience in the week three trip to Tuscaloosa to face Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide.

In fact, Georgia’s returning linemen are among the best in the SEC, per PFF’s Brent Rollins:

Georgia will have three of the top-graded returning nine offensive linemen in the SEC. The Dawgs additionally added five-star offensive tackle Broderick Jones, four-star Tate Ratledge, top-rated center Sedrick Van Pran, four-star offensive tackle Chad Lindberg, and a pair of three-star linemen in the class of 2020.

One of the talented newcomers will likely work their way into the line-up, possibly two. Georgia also returns Warren Ericson, who started at right guard in the Sugar Bowl against Baylor, 2019 five-star center Clay Webb, Warren McClendon, Xavier Truss, Owen Condon, and more.

The biggest question mark for UGA is who will replace stud left tackle Andrew Thomas? That may be too big of an adjustment for five-star freshman Broderick Jones, but he’s the best bet to take over that position. Aside from left tackle, quality depth is the second biggest concern along Georgia’s offensive line. Kirby Smart will rely on new offensive line coach Matt Luke to get the most of the talented group.

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UGA’s Ben Cleveland reaches NFL Draft decision

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Ben Cleveland is returning to UGA for his senior season

The Georgia Bulldogs have lost numerous starters along their offensive front heading into the 2020 season. The Dawgs have lost four of their previous five starting offensive lineman from the 2019 season: LT Andrew Thomas (NFL), LG Solomon Kindley, RG Cade Mays (transfer to Tennessee), and RT Isaiah Wilson (NFL). UGA need all the help they can get at offensive line with the line only returning starting center Trey Hill.

Fortunately for Georgia, offensive lineman Ben Cleveland is returning to Athens for his senior season. Cleveland is projected to start at right guard for UGA this season. Cleveland returns as a key lineman with sixteen games of starting experience.

Cleveland announced his decision to return on the last day to declare for the 2020 NFL Draft. DawgNation’s Jeff Sentell initially reported Cleveland’s return:

Georgia additionally got good news earlier this week: lineman Justin Shaffer has been cleared following a neck sprain. Ben Cleveland missed the Sugar Bowl due to an academic issue, but will look to get that sorted out ahead of the 2020 season opener against Virginia.

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Three Georgia Bulldogs go in first round of 2020 NFL mock draft

Three Georgia Bulldogs go in the first round of the 2020 NFL Mock Draft : D’Andre Swift, Solomon Kindley, and Andrew Thomas .

Three Georgia Bulldogs went in the first round of USAToday’s 2020 NFL Mock Draft. The mock draft is for the first four rounds of the draft. UGA’s D’Andre Swift, Solomon Kindley, and Andrew Thomas all went in the first round.

4. New York Giants: Andrew Thomas, left tackle

Nov 30, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Andrew Thomas (71) prior to the game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

27. Seattle Seahawks: Solomon Kindley, left guard

Dec 1, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Solomon Kindley (66) blocks against Alabama Crimson Tide defensive linemen in the SEC championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.  Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

28. Baltimore Ravens: D’Andre Swift, running back

Nov 18, 2017; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back D’Andre Swift (7) straight arms Kentucky Wildcats safety Darius West (25) during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

46. Denver Broncos: Isaiah Wilson, right tackle

Dec 1, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Isaiah Wilson (79) and Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Raekwon Davis (99) at the line of scrimmage during the first quarter in the SEC championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

91. Oakland Raiders: Jake Fromm, quarterback

Jan 1, 2020; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm (11) throws as Baylor Bears linebacker Blake Lynch (2) pressures during the first quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

110. New York Jets: Ben Cleveland, offensive line

 

Apr 16, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs guard Ben Cleveland (74) during the Dawg Walk before the spring game at Sanford Stadium. Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

With six Georgia Bulldogs going in the first four rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft, it’d be a great showing for Kirby Smart and all of the talented players he’s coached. The biggest question mark of this mock draft is Ben Cleveland, who may or may not be returning to school. Cleveland was academically ineligible for the 2020 Sugar Bowl.

Solomon Kindley going in the first round is another big surprise. Kindley played excellent as a sophomore, but battled some injury issues this season. The Seahawks are known to be unconventional in the first round and need offensive line help.

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