Tag: eric stokes nfl draft

Georgia CB Eric Stokes laughs at NFL draft ranking

Pro Football Focus ranked their top-10 corners in the draft and Georgia cornerback Eric Stokes had something to say. Details here.

Georgia cornerback Eric Stokes is less than a month away from hearing his name called in the 2021 NFL Draft. The junior chose to leave Athens early after a great season as an anchor in the Bulldogs secondary.

Stokes led the SEC in interceptions (4) and returned two of those for touchdowns while racking up 20 tackles, four pass breakups and three quarterback hurries. All which helped the Covington, Ga., native to CBS All-America First-Team and All-SEC First Team honors.

We can’t forget Stokes’ incredible workouts this offseason leading up to the draft. He was clocked at 4.25 in the forty yard dash at Brandon Marshall’s combine event and then ran a 4.28 at Georgia’s pro day in March. Add his size and length (6’1, 185) and all signs point to a top-10 corner prospect.

Well, Pro Football Focus doesn’t think so…

Stokes responded…

Stokes was a 3-star running back at Eastside High School and knows all about being labeled as an underdog.

All things considered, Stokes draft stock has risen with his performances in workouts this season from a second day grade. NFL.com has Stokes going to the New Orlean Saints at pick No. 28 in the first-round in their latest mock draft. 

 

 

A new episode of “UGA Football Live with J.C. Shelton” podcast is streaming now! This week, J.C. talks Georgia spring practice news, new scheduling additions and Dawgs in the NFL free agency updates. Listen here:

Georgia CB Eric Stokes attending former NFL receiver’s combine event

Georgia cornerback Eric Stokes will attend former NFL receiver Brandon Marshall’s combine event. Details here

Georgia cornerback Eric Stokes is just one of hundreds of NFL draft prospects who won’t get to preform in the annual NFL Combine.

The event, meant to help showcase athletes to all 32 NFL teams, was cancelled earlier this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Typically, collegiate football players who declare for the draft, especially those without high draft grades, took the combine opportunity to showcase their skill and athletic ability to help boost their draft stock.

To vill the void this year, former NFL Pro-Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall introduced his own combine experience at his athlete training facility House of Athlete in Weston, Fla.

Stokes is among those who will be attending Marshall’s event, which is scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. this Friday, March 5 and will be aired live on FoxSports.com.

Stokes was a lockdown corner during his time at Georgia, especially in 2020 when Stokes finished 2nd in the SEC and fourth in the nation in interceptions. He was named CBS Sports All-America First Team and earned First Team All-SEC honors after being named Second Team All-SEC the year prior in 2019.

In 36 games played in Athens, Stokes racked up 78 tackles, four interceptions, including three returned for a touchdown, along with 26 pass breakups.

Check out some of Stokes’ top plays as a Georgia Bulldog here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqjvw7k7PCg

 

Stokes will be desperately missed in Georgia’s secondary, but he should find no trouble in transitioning to the next level with his talent.

 

 

 

 

Georgia All-American CB Eric Stokes thanks DawgNation, declares for the 2021 NFL Draft

Georgia defensive back Eric Stokes announced on Monday that he will forego his senior season at UGA and enter the 2021 NFL Draft.

Georgia defensive back Eric Stokes announced on Monday via Twitter that he will forego his senior season at UGA and enter the 2021 NFL Draft in a heartfelt post thanking DawgNation and the Georgia football family.

Stokes has been a lockdown corner for the Bulldogs since 2018 and especially this season, as the junior was named a first-team All-American by CBS Sports and 247 Sports. 

This season Stokes recorded 20 tackles, eight passes defended and a team-leading four interceptions, including two returned for a touchdown.

Stokes has always been a class act in his time in Athens. A three-star prospect out of Covington, Georgia, he worked his way from an unheralded young corner that played running back at Eastside High School to a projected first-round NFL Draft pick in just three seasons as a Bulldog.

“So with that being said, and after so much prayer and conversation with my family and mentors, I will forego my final year at UGA and declare for the 2021 NFL Draft.”

We would love to see the junior wear the Red and Black another season, but just as Stokes holds DawgNation in a special place, so will we remember the humility and strong work ethic that he showed in his time in Athens.

I will remember Stokes most for his community efforts like this one.

Eric, thank you for representing Georgia football with respect and dignity on and off the field. – DawgNation