Tag: Georgia Football

Georgia defensive back Tykee Smith goes No. 89 overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2024 NFL draft

Smith will bring a diverse skillset to the Buccaneers, as he played both safety and Georgia’s nickel safety/linebacker hybrid role.

The Georgia Bulldogs saw another defensive player come off the board in the 2024 NFL draft, as defensive back Tykee Smith has been drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 89th overall pick.

Smith began his career at West Virginia, where he played for two years and was a freshman all-American in 2019 and second-team all-Big 12 in 2020. He recorded 111 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and four interceptions over two years with the Mountaineers. He would then transfer to follow Jahmile Addae, his position coach at WVU, to Georgia.

Smith would struggle initially to fit into the Bulldogs system and then battle injuries through his first two years before putting it all together in his senior season with the Dawgs. Smith had 70 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and four interceptions from the STAR position for the Bulldogs.

Smith will bring a diverse skillset to the Buccaneers. He played both safety and Georgia’s nickel safety/linebacker hybrid role and can be moved to various positions across the defense. He joins a safety room featuring pro bowler Antoine Winfield and Jordan Whitehead in Tampa.

New Packers safety Javon Bullard had a delightfully NSFW reaction to being drafted

Javon Bullard seems very excited to be a Green Bay Packer.

Former Georgia safety Javon Bullard was one of the 2024 NFL Draft prospects to find their new team on Friday night.

Of all the guys taken on the draft’s second day, he might’ve had the best reaction.

A video showed Bullard getting his call from the Green Bay Packers to be picked in the second round, and Bullard seemed very fired up about the pick.

He yelled something absolutely delightful … and definitely not safe for work … about joining the Packers.

You can see the censored version of Bullard’s celebration below, which is very fun for Green Bay fans especially for how excited the safety is for heading to Titletown.

Some NSFW language to follow. 

Hey, this is one of the biggest days of Bullard’s life, and the Packers are one of the most promising young teams in the NFL right now. It’s a good fit!

We’ll see how the Georgia safety does once he gets to the field, but it’s safe to say he’s pretty fired up about it.

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Georgia DB Javon Bullard goes No. 58 overall to Green Bay Packers in 2024 NFL draft

Javon Bullard is a Green Bay Packer…

Georgia safety Javon Bullard is a Green Bay Packer.

The Packers took Bullard with the No. 58 pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft on Friday night. He is the second safety taken off the board in this year’s draft (Tyler Nubin, Minnesota) and the latest in a long line of NFL defensive backs developed by Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs.

The Milledgeville, Georgia, native is a true testament to the development taking place in Athens. Bullard was recruited lightly coming out of Baldwin High School. He was considered a three-star recruit, rated as the No. 634 player overall in the 2021 class, per 247Sports.

Bullard got off to a quick start at Georgia as a true freshman, appearing in 14 of 15 games in route to a national championship. The 2022 season is when Bullard broke out, starting at nickelback (STAR) and helping UGA to a second consecutive national championship. He earned Defensive MVP honors in both the College Football Playoff semifinal in the Peach Bowl and the national championship game.

Bullard (5-foot-11, 198 pounds) showed his unique versatility when he moved to safety in 2023, something that will make him a prized tool in the NFL. He went on to earn second-team All-SEC honors in that role for the Dawgs.

In 32 career games, Bullard totaled 114 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, eight pass deflections, four interceptions and one fumble recovery.

Bullard joins former Georgia Bulldogs Eric Stokes, Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt in Green Bay.

 

Georgia cornerback Kamari Lassiter goes No. 42 overall to the Houston Texans in 2024 NFL draft

Lassiter will join a Texans cornerback room that includes Derek Stingley and former first-rounder Jeffrey Okudah. He will have a chance to compete for playing time right away in Houston under defensive-minded head coach DeMeco Ryans.

The first Georgia Bulldogs defensive player came off the board in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft. Cornerback Kamari Lassiter was drafted by the Houston Texans with the 42nd pick.

Lassiter joined the Bulldogs as a four-star recruit in the class of 2021 from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He saw limited playing time as a freshman before starting during his final two seasons with the Bulldogs. Over the course of his career, Lassiter recorded 86 tackles, 8.5 tackles-for-loss, a sack, an interception and 14 passes defended.

Lassiter showcased his ability as a lockdown corner at Georgia, surrendering zero touchdowns on 39 targets a year ago according to PFF. He effectively locked down one side of the field for the Bulldogs and earned a great deal of praise from Kirby Smart for his leadership of the defense.

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Lassiter will join a Texans cornerback room that includes Derek Stingley and former first-rounder Jeffrey Okudah. He will have a chance to compete for playing time right away in Houston under defensive-minded head coach DeMeco Ryans.

Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey goes No. 34 overall to the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024 NFL draft

McConkey will join a Chargers’ receiver corps that is looking to replace stars Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. He will likely figure into the rotation immediately alongside Quentin Johnston and Joshua Palmer.

The Georgia Bulldogs saw another player come off the board in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft on Friday. Wide receiver Ladd McConkey was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers with the 34th pick.

McConkey joined the Bulldogs as an unheralded three-star recruit in the class of 2020. He redshirted his first season before becoming a top receiving threat for the Bulldogs the following three seasons. As a sophomore in 2022, he caught 58 passes for 762 yards and seven touchdowns for the eventual national title winners. He was hampered by injuries during his third season, but still recorded 30 catches for 478 yards and two touchdowns while appearing in nine games.

McConkey has a diverse skill set, and he proved to be a target in all areas of the field while also being a factor running the football. He scored four rushing touchdowns from the receiver position during his time with the Bulldogs, including weaving his way through the Florida State defense to take a botched double pass attempt to the end zone in the 2023 Orange Bowl.

McConkey will join a Chargers’ receiver corps that is looking to replace stars Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. He will likely figure into the rotation immediately alongside Quentin Johnston and Joshua Palmer.

Raiders fans are not confident about Brock Bowers NFL draft selection

Raiders fans don’t know what to make of Brock Bowers pick in first round of 2024 NFL draft…

If you ask any Georgia Bulldogs fan, they will tell you that Brock Bowers is the best player in the 2024 NFL draft.

Los Vegas fans, however, don’t seem to know what to make of Bowers going No. 13 to the Raiders during Thursday night’s first round.

Las Vegas was expected to add a defender or a franchise quarterback headed into Antonio Pierce’s first draft as Raiders head coach. When Las Vegas was put on the clock at No. 13, all six of the best passers in the class were taken, but no defender had came off the board yet.

Surely the Raiders would go defense, right?

That wasn’t the case. Pierce and the Las Vegas elected to go with arguably the best player available, Bowers. You would think that even though fans were likely thinking defense, a generational talent that can change an offense would suffice. After all, the three-time All-American and two-time Mackey Award winner will go down as one of, if not the best, college football players of all time.

Here’s a look at a Las Vegas draft party where mixed emotions around the pick were evident:

On the surface, adding Bowers to a tight end room that already features former All-American and second-round draft pick, Michael Mayer, is an interesting selection that early in the draft. However, Bowers and the Georgia offense thrived in a two-tight end system for the last three seasons.

In three years at UGA, Bowers racked up an outstanding 175 receptions for 2,538 yards and 26 receiving touchdowns. He also added 19 rushing attempts for 193 yards and five scores on the ground.

Bowers is much more than a pass catcher. He can line up out wide, in-line or at H-back. He provides a level of versatility that can change any offense for the better.

2024 NFL draft: Georgia OT Amarius Mims goes No. 18 overall to Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals take Amarius Mims in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft…

Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims is a Cincinnati Bengal.

The Bengals took Mims with the No. 18 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night. He was the fifth offensive tackle off the board on Day 1.

Mims joins former Bulldogs offensive linemen Broderick Jones, Andrew Thomas, Isaiah Wilson and Isaiah Wynn as first-round draft picks under head coach Kirby Smart. The former five-star prospect is another prototypical tackle from UGA, standing 6 feet, 8 inches and 340 pounds.

Despite starting only eight games as a Bulldog (30 games played), Mims’ upside was too good to pass up for the Bengals. After all, Mims’ snap count wasn’t limited by his ability; he played behind future NFL draft pick Warren McClendon.

Mims did not allow a sack in 372 career pass-blocking snaps at right tackle for Georgia, including while protecting Carson Beck, the SEC’s leading passer. His season was limited, though, by an ankle injury that held him out of seven games.

Cincinnati star quarterback Joe Burrow has his new protector.

2024 NFL draft: Georgia tight end Brock Bowers goes No. 13 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders got a steal when they drafted Georgia tight end Brock Bowers with the No. 13 pick in the draft

The Georgia Bulldogs have their first player off the board in the 2024 NFL draft. Tight end Brock Bowers was drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders with the 13th overall pick.

Bowers burst onto the scene during his freshman year at Georgia, recording six catches in his opening game against Clemson and taking the starting job from current Steelers tight end Darnell Washington. Bowers provides numerous dimensions to his game as an offensive weapon. Over three seasons with the Bulldogs, he recorded 175 catches for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns. He added 19 carries for 193 yards and five touchdowns on the ground, showcasing the uncharacteristic athleticism that sets him apart from other tight ends.

He racked up accolades during his time at Georgia, winning the John Mackey award for the best tight end in the nation in 2022 and 2023. He was a three-time all-SEC tight end and was named a second-team All-American in 2021, a first-team All-American in 2022 and a unanimous All-American in 2023.

Bowers joins Michael Mayer, a second-round pick a year ago, in the Raiders’ tight end room, and will provide an immediate offensive weapon for first-year head coach Antonio Pierce. The move will also reunite Bowers with his former Bulldog teammate, Zamir White.

Former Georgia Bulldogs cornerback signs with UFL team

Former Georgia football DB signs with the Memphis Showboats in the UFL

Former Georgia Bulldogs defensive back DJ Daniel has signed with the UFL’s (United Football League) Memphis Showboats. Daniel joins several other former Georgia players in the UFL.

The Showboats are signing Daniel again after they cut him in training camp.

Daniel is 25 years old. He went undrafted in NFL after his college career at Georgia. The Jacksonville Jaguars signed Daniel this offseason following the draft, but cut him. Daniel also signed with the New England Patriots. He previously played in the USFL. In fact, Daniel made the All-USFL team in 2023 after recording 30 tackles and three interceptions.

Daniel played football at Georgia Military College before transferring to the University of Georgia for his final two collegiate seasons.

Daniel played in 21 games in his career at Georgia. The former cornerback totaled 51 tackles and nine pass deflections during his time with the Bulldogs.

Top transfer quarterback commits to Georgia

Jaden Rashada, who started three games in his freshman year at Arizona State, has committed to the Georgia Bulldogs

After visiting Athens earlier this week, the top ranked quarterback in the transfer portal has officially committed to Georgia. Jaden Rashada, who started three games a season ago in his freshman year at Arizona State, made his decision to join the Bulldogs official on Thursday through his agent.

As the quarterback of the Sun Devils a year ago, Rashada completed 44 of 82 passes for 485 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions. He missed much of the year due to injuries. Rashada is a former four-star recruit in the class of 2023 and had previously signed Florida in that cycle, before being released due to the failure of his initial NIL deal with the Gators.

For Georgia, landing Rashada is a major victory. Kirby Smart had been publicly looking for a fourth scholarship quarterback to join Carson Beck, Gunner Stockton, and Ryan Puglisi on the roster for this season. Rashada also provides an experience boost given Stockton having zero collegiate starts and Puglisi being unable to fully participate in his first spring game with the program.

In terms of the future, Rashada could be a potential starter for the 2025 season after the likely departure of Carson Beck to the NFL. The 2025 quarterback battle could be an intriguing competition.