Tag: georgia football nfl draft

Updates from Georgia football’s pro day

The Georgia Bulldogs have an important pro day this year. What Georgia Bulldogs are performing well at the event?

The Georgia Bulldogs and college football programs across the country have more important pro days this year thanks to COVID-19. There’s no NFL combine, so this will be NFL scouts’ best opportunity to gather information on their top targets from the University of Georgia.

A few Georgia Bulldogs have received official measurements. The results are notable for underclassmen who did not get measured at the Senior Bowl.

NFL Network draft expert Daniel Jeremiah received some 40-yard dash times from a scout. He mentions the best 40-yard dash times for major University of Georgia NFL draft prospects including Azeez Ojulari (4.6) and Tyson Campbell (4.4). Eric Stokes (4.3) turns in yet another impressive time:

Marc Weiszer (Athens Banner-Herald) named several more 40-yard dash times via his Twitter account. DJ Daniel, Monty Rice, and Ben Cleveland all ran impressive times in addition to those mentioned above.

Georgia offensive guard Ben Cleveland did not break the NFL combine record for the bench press. 30 reps of 225 pounds will still boost his NFL draft stock.

A pair of former Georgia Bulldogs worked out too. David Marshall and Tyler Simmons are both looking to find an NFL home. The duo took advantage of the opportunity to showcase their talents at Georgia’s pro day.

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PFF reveals NFL player comparison for Georgia’s Azeez Ojulari

Pro Football Focus and NFL Draft scouts rank Georgia Bulldogs outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari as one of the top 2021 NFL Draft prospects

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Pro Football Focus and NFL Draft scouts rank Georgia Bulldogs outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari as one of the top 2021 NFL Draft prospects. Ojulari was impressive last season in Athens and is one of the best pass rushers in the class.

PFF compares Ojulari to Baltimore Ravens defensive end Yannick Ngakoue. Ngakoue is a smaller defensive end, who uses his explosiveness, size, and technique to win as a pass rusher. Azeez Ojulari is similar to Ngakoue in all of these respects.

Ojulari will look to make a large impact in the NFL like the Ravens defensive end, Yannick Ngakoue, who has recorded 45.5 sacks in five NFL seasons. On a similar note, Ojulari will try to continue his impressive production (15.5 sacks in two seasons as a starter) at the NFL level.

Here’s a video of PFF’s comparison for Ojulari:

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Georgia Bulldogs receive official measurements at Reese’s Senior Bowl

Six Georgia Bulldogs are attending this year’s Senior Bowl and they all received official measurements.

Six Georgia Bulldogs are attending this year’s Reese’s Senior Bowl. Georgia’s Ben Cleveland, Monty Rice, DJ Daniel, Mark Webb, Tre’ McKitty, and Malik Herring are all participating in the Senior Bowl and the events leading up to it.

Richard LeCounte accepted an invitation to the game, but later decided against participating. Another player to watch is former UGA transfer quarterback Jamie Newman, who sat out the season, but is at the Senior Bowl. He has as much to gain or lose as anybody at the Senior Bowl.

The Senior Bowl is a post-season game that is compiled of some of college football’s most talented seniors. It serves as preparation for the NFL Draft. The practices and game are heavily attended by NFL scouts who have had limited opportunities to see players in person this season.

The 2021 Senior Bowl is scheduled for Jan. 30 and will showcase a large number of college football’s top NFL Draft prospects. Prospects have no NFL Combine this year, so the Senior Bowl is more important than usual. Additionally, Georgia’s pro day is especially important this year.

Here’s all of the Georgia Bulldogs who received official measurements at the Senior Bowl:

What Georgia Bulldogs are returning for another season?

What Georgia Bulldogs are returning for another season instead of entering the 2021 NFL Draft? UGA returns a lot on offense.

The Georgia Bulldogs have lost a lot of talent to the 2021 NFL Draft, but at the same time, Georgia is returning a lot of key talent on offense and in the trenches. Quarterback JT Daniels headlines the University of Georgia players who are returning for another season in 2021.

The 2020 college football season was unique and will not count against player’s eligibility. Seniors can return for another season.

Here’s all of the top Georgia players who have elected to return to Athens instead of entering into the 2021 NFL Draft:

UGA football senior DL announces 2021 return

Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt is returning for another senior season at the University of Georgia

Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt is returning for another senior season at the University of Georgia. He came to Athens after spending time at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas.

Wyatt was a four-star prospect coming out of Towers High School in Decatur, Georgia. He was similarly rated coming out of Hutchinson.

Wyatt played in 12 games during the 2018 season, during which he recorded 19 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He stepped up his game in 2019 and was a key factor in the Bulldogs’ No. 1-rated run defense. Wyatt had one sack as well in 2019.

This season, Wyatt recorded 21 tackles and several pressures. He started at defensive tackle for much of the year.

The senior defensive lineman has NFL potential, but is choosing to stay in Athens for another chance at the College Football Playoff. Wyatt announced his decision via his Twitter account:

Kirby Smart and Georgia have a defensive boost with Wyatt’s return. The Dawgs are still losing several players in the secondary to the NFL Draft, but have the talent to fill in the gaps.

Sep 21, 2019; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt (95) reacts after defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Sanford Stadium. Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

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Georgia football defensive back accepts Senior Bowl invite

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Mark Webb has accepted an invitation to the 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Mark Webb has accepted an invitation to the 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl. Mark Webb is a senior out of Archbishop Wood High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Webb has come a long way since arriving in Athens as a four-star wide receiver recruit. Webb converted to defensive back in 2017 and primarily plays the slot cornerback position. He’s proven himself to be a steady run defender and a consistent tackler. Webb will look to improve upon his coverage versus elite competition.

Mark Webb’s acceptance of the Reese’s Senior Bowl invitation means he’ll in all likelihood declare for the 2021 NFL Draft following the college football season. This season is unique for college football because players who played in every game this season can return next year without elapsing any of their eligibility. Webb will play in his final home game Dec. 5 against Vanderbilt.

Webb joins fellow Georgia Bulldogs players to accept an invitation to the game like tight end Tre’ McKitty, offensive lineman Ben Cleveland and defensive lineman Malik Herring. Bulldog fans should expect several more Dawgs to accept invitations to the game. Look for a lot of Georgia Bulldogs to be selected in the 2021 NFL Draft.

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Georgia great, Detroit Lions RB D’Andre Swift tabbed as instant impact rookie

Former Georgia football RB D’Andre Swift, now with the Detroit Lions, tabbed as an instant-impact NFL rookie.

USA TODAY has released its list of the 20 NFL rookies who could make instant impacts in the 2020 NFL season. Among those listed is former Georgia star D’Andre Swift, who was drafted by the Detroit Lions in this year’s NFL Draft.

Swift checked in at No. 7 on the list.

Via USA TODAY :

“Detroit Lions RB D’Andre Swift (second round / 35th overall): Since Barry Sanders retired in 1999, this team has enjoyed four 1,000-yard rushing seasons from three players, none since 2013. Swift totaled nearly 2,300 yards on the ground over his final two season at Georgia and has the tools to supplant oft-injured Kerryon Johnson, perhaps on an every-down basis.”

Also on the list was former Georgia kicker Rodrigo Blankenship, who went undrafted and was signed by the Colts. He checked in at No. 20.

We touched on that here. 

It looks as if Swift landed in a good spot in Detroit. He has former Georgia passer Matthew Stafford under center, one of the most prolific passers in the NFL, and will be competing for the starting job with former Auburn Tiger Kerryon Johnson, who is entering his third year and has had a hard time staying healthy.

Last week, Stafford, Swift, and former Bulldog, Lions tight end Isaac Nauta were seen working out together. Rumors surfaced that Swift was the favorite to win the starting running back job over Johnson, but the former Auburn back was quick to fire back at the critics who assumed he wasn’t staying in shape.

As the NFL begins to reopen its team facilities, we should get a better look at both Johnson and Swift as teams begin to practice for the 2020 season. Regardless on who is tabbed as the starter come September, Swift will see plenty of touches, especially through the air from that infamous Stafford side-arm.

Georgia football’s 2020 NFL Draft class as recruits

Georgia football had seven players drafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, so we take a look back at the former Bulldogs as recruits.

Georgia had seven players drafted this past weekend in the 2020 NFL Draft. Let’s look back at the former Bulldogs from their time as recruits. 

Andrew Thomas OT – pick No. 4, New York Giants. 

Thomas was a 5-star OT for Pace Academy in Atlanta, Georgia. 247Sports had Thomas as the No. 9 OT and No. 45 overall recruit in the 2017 recruiting class. 

Isaiah Wilson OT – pick No. 29, Tennessee Titans 

Wilson was a 5-star OT for Poly Prep Country Day High School in Brooklyn, New York. 247Sports had Wilson ranked as the NO. 5 OT and No. 16 overall recruit in the 2017 recruiting class. 

D’Andre Swift RB – pick No. 35, Detroit Lions 

Swift was a 5-star RB from St. Joseph’s High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 247Sports had Swift ranked as the No. 4 RB and No. 33 overall recruit in the 2017 recruiting class. 

Solomon Kindley OG – pick No. 111, Miami Dolphins 

Kindley was a 3-star OT for Raines High School in Jacksonville, Florida. 247Sports had Kindley ranked as the No. 89 OT and No. 1,051 recruit in the 2016 recruiting class. 

Jake Fromm QB – pick No. 167, Buffalo Bills

Fromm was a 4-star QB for Houston County High School in Warner Robins, Georgia. 247Sports had Fromm ranked as the No. 3 pro-style QB and the No. 44 overall recruit in the 2017 recruiting class. Fromm was originally committed to Alabama before following Kirby Smart to Georgia.  

Charlie Woerner TE – pick No. 190, San Francisco 49ers

Woerner was a 4-star TE for Rabun County in Tiger, Georgia. 247Sports had Woerner ranked as the No. 25 WR and the No. 138 overall recruit in the 2016 recruiting class. Tae Crowder LB – pick No. 255, New York Giants

Crowder was a 3-star RB for Harris County High School in Hamilton, Georgia. 247Sports had Crowder ranked as the No, 1,868 overall player and the No. 175 ranked recruit in Georgia for the class of 2015. Crowder moved to linebacker after the 2016 season and blossomed into a starter in 2018 and 2019.

 

Georgia HC Kirby Smart on Jake Fromm falling in draft

Georgia football HC Kirby Smart talks Jake Fromm falling to the Buffalo Bills in the fifth-round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Former Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm was projected as an early-to-mid-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, but ended up falling all the way to the fifth-round where he was selected by the Buffalo Bills with the No. 167 overall pick.

Draft analysts and Georgia fans were surprised as Fromm remained on the board throughout Saturday including Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, who went on NFL Network to discuss Fromm being drafted by Buffalo.

Smart said:

“I thought all along he’d be a third or a fourth-round pick, and he lasted to the fifth, there’s only one quarterback on the field at a time, and so many teams have filled their need. It was a weird year, things happened in a strange way.”

Kirby is right, it seems that most teams that didn’t have early picks like the Bengals and Dolphins already had options at quarterback.

“I’ve been sitting here holding my breath that he’d get picked,” Smart said. “And now he’s going to cold, cold Buffalo.”

Yeah, Buffalo may be chilly, but if I am Fromm I am happy to go to Buffalo.  A team that already has a quality starter in Josh Allen, a promising young coach and a good defense.

Fromm should be able to sit behind Allen for a few seasons to learn the offense and possibly compete for the job in the future.

And as Georgia fans know, Fromm doesn’t shy away from competition.

 

 

Every quarterback drafted before Georgia’s Jake Fromm

Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm was selected 167th in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. What seven QBs went before him?

Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm was selected 167th (fifth round) in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. Fromm fell further than expected in the NFL Draft due to his subpar junior season and concerns over his physical talent.

Fromm is a proven winner who had Georgia in the College Football Playoff conversation in three straight seasons. Turnover at the wide receiver position disrupted his junior season in Athens. His lack of arm strength hurt him big-time. Now, he’s anticipated to back-up

So who are all the quarterbacks taken before Georgia’s Jake Fromm? Here’s the entire list:

1st overall pick: Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow (LSU Tigers)

Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

5th: Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama  Crimson Tide)

Credit: USA TODAY Sports

6th: Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert (Oregon Ducks)

Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

26th: Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love (Utah State Aggies)

Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

53: Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma Sooners)

Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

122. Indianapolis Colts QB Jacob Eason (Washington Huskies)

Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

125. New York Jets QB James Morgan (Florida International)

Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

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