Tag: georgia nfl draft

UGA’s Jake Fromm standing out in NFL interviews

Former Georgia Bulldog quarterback Jake Fromm is standing out in NFL Draft interviews.

Former Georgia Bulldog quarterback Jake Fromm is standing out in NFL Draft interviews according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Due to COVID-19, Fromm and 2020 NFL Draft prospects are having to conduct the vast majority of their interviews virtually.

Fromm has especially impressed NFL quarterback coaches in the pre-draft process. Fromm had control of Georgia’s offense throughout his career and is as seasoned of a veteran as any quarterback in the NFL Draft.

Despite a down junior season, it was inevitable that Fromm would rise during the interview process. Fromm never threw more than seven interceptions in his three seasons as a starter and his decision making and knowledge of the game are two strengths that general managers love.

Fromm helped UGA to three straight SEC Championship Games, winning his first. His steadying presence in the Georgia offense kept the Dawgs consistent and helped talented teams meet or exceed expectations year after year.

Additionally, Fromm learned to adapt to new receivers throughout the entire 2019 season. And given the adjustment from college to the pros, Fromm may be ahead of the pack in terms of the transition.

Fromm still likely won’t be a first round selection. That being said, his ability to operate an offensive system effectively won’t be overlooked.

Georgia fans should expect Fromm’s name to be called in either the second or third round.

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Watch: Richard LeCounte’s insane high school basketball dunks, jumps

Georgia Bulldogs’ senior safety Richard LeCounte was an insane athlete at Liberty County High School in Riceboro, Georgia.

Georgia Bulldogs’ senior safety Richard LeCounte was an insane athlete in high school. He earned a five-star rating as a football recruit and was no slouch on the basketball court either.

In fact, LeCounte won co-player of the year for his region as junior en route to leading his Liberty County Panthers to the 2016 GHSA Class AAAA state title. In the state championship game LeCounte helped limit stud recruit M.J. Walker (who just won the ACC with Florida State) and scored twenty points.

LeCounte was a legendary high school athlete. He even jumped for the team on this tip-off despite being only 5’11”:

LeCounte’s decision to return to Georgia is huge for the Bulldog secondary. LeCounte was contemplating declaring for the NFL Draft, but opted for another season in Athens.

Before coming to Athens, Lecounte threw down monster dunks in high school. He has trained with Georgia’s basketball team, but never suited up.

LeCounte is an all-around spectacular athlete, who can do back-flips with ease. He’ll hope to be doing more back-flips after next season at Georgia.

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Georgia football player profile: DB Richard LeCounte

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Richard LeCounte will be the leader of the Bulldog defense in 2020.

Safety Richard LeCounte (#2):

Class: Senior

Height: 5-11

Weight: 190 lbs

Hometown: Riceboro, Georgia

High School: Liberty County High School

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA: Richard LeCounte of the Georgia Bulldogs intercepts a pass against the Baylor Bears during the Allstate Sugar Bowl. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Richard LeCounte will be the leader of the Bulldog defense in 2020. He returned to Athens for his senior season instead of entering his name into the NFL Draft. He’ll have another shot at the college football playoffs in his final year.

LeCounte has been playing since he was a freshman, but he began starting as a sophomore. In 2018, LeCounte was the University of Georgia’s leading tackler with 74 total stops.

LeCounte has established himself as a playmaker on Georgia’s elite defense. Georgia had the top-ranked scoring defense in the nation last season. LeCounte does lose his partner in crime at the safety position, J.R. Reed. LeCounte will miss Reed, but now he’s ready to run the back-end of UGA’s defense.

Riceboro, Georgia product has forced a combined nine turnovers over the last two seasons. LeCounte recorded the second most interceptions in the SEC last season with four. He recovered the most fumbles (three) in the league as well. It’ll be a pleasure to watch his last season between the hedges.

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UGAWire’s three-round NFL mock draft

Here is UGA Football Live’s three-round NFL mock draft

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You have seen the pretenders….now UGA Football Live and UGAWire’s 3-round mock NFL draft is here.

With the recent conclusion of the NFL Combine and next month’s NFL Draft fast approaching, teams are looking to fill glaring needs and build for the future.

As usual, quarterbacks, offensive tackles, cornerbacks and edge rushers are on the wish list for nearly every team. You’ve seen the talking heads’ mock drafts — now take a look at an unbiased projection from UGA Football Live.

With good depth at offensive tackle, wide receiver and running back, the draft should be heavy on the offensive side this year. You can see the real 2020 NFL Draft on April 23-25 from Las Vegas on the ESPN and the NFL Network.

Here we go with the first three rounds:

Round 1:

  1. Cincinnati: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU — The Ohio native is the Bengals’ franchise QB.
  2. Washington: Chase Young, Edge, Ohio State — Better than the Bosa brothers.
  3. Detroit: Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State — Lions desperate for defense and this dude is the nation’s best corner.
  4. NY Giants: Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson — A pure freak.
  5. Miami: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama — Will be Marino-like legendary in south Florida.
  6. LA Chargers: Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville — Swiss cheese O-line needs help.
  7. Carolina: Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn — Explosive and violent.
  8. Arizona: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia — Will retire in 2035 as the Cardinals’ greatest lineman.
  9. Jacksonville: Tristan Wirfs, OL, Iowa — Dominnat left or right tackle.
  10. Cleveland: Jedrick Willis, OT, Alabama — Browns get a beast.
  11. NY Jets: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama — 28th ranked offense in ’19 needs help.
  12. Las Vegas: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon — Has all the tools and Raiders need to make a splash in their new home.
  13. Indianapolis: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State — Colts aren’t sold on Jacoby Brissett.
  14. Tampa Bay: Josh Jones, OT, Houston — Bucs ranked in lower third in pass protection and rushing.
  15. Denver: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Baylor — Broncos hungry for speed.
  16. Atlanta: Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina — Athletic, physical and powerful.
  17. Dallas: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama — Secondary help on the way.
  18. Miami: K’Lavon Chaisson, LB, LSU — Dangerous, will cause havoc.
  19. Las Vegas: Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma — Sideline to sideline speed.
  20. Jacksonville: Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama — Can’t teach speed.
  21. Philadelphia: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU — Monster in the slot with speed.
  22. Buffalo: Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson — A weapon from anywhere on the field.
  23. New England: Zack Baun, Edge, Wisconsin — Motor knows only one speed.
  24. New Orleans: Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU — Lock down corner.
  25. Minnesota: CJ Henderson, CB, Florida — Long and physical and  pass defense help needed.
  26. Miami: D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia — Fins need a playmaker and Swift is the first RB off the board.
  27. Seattle: Austin Jackson, OT, USC — Pete Carroll goes back to Troy.
  28. Baltimore: AJ Terrel, CB, Clemson — Strong career and stellar combine.
  29. Tennessee: Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State — 9.5 sacks in ’19.
  30. Green Bay: Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor — Terrific career and killed it in the combine.
  31. San Francisco: Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State — Home run threat.
  32. Kansas City: Patrick Queen, LB, LSU — Full motor and dynamic blitzer.

Next: Round 2

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3

USA TODAY releases 2020 NFL mock draft

USA TODAY has released their official post-combine 2020 NFL mock draft which features two Georgia football players going in the first round.

With under two months until the 2020 NFL Draft and the combine coming to a finish, USA TODAY released its 2020 NFL mock draft this Tuesday.

The list made by the NFL and USA TODAY’s Nate Davis featured two Georgia Bulldogs going in the first round.

Of the 32 first rounders, Davis had offensive tackle Andrew Thomas going 18th to the Dolphins as well as running back D’Andre Swift, going 26th.  The Dolphins traded for the 18th pick from the Steelers and got the 26th from the Texans.  If this mock draft is accurate, there could potentially be some fresh Bulldog blood invading the state of Florida very soon.

Here are a few of the notable draft selections from USA TODAY:

1. Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

2. Washington Redskins – Chase Young, DE, Ohio State

4. New York Giants – Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville

5. Miami Dolphins – Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

18. Dolphins (from Pittsburgh Steelers) – Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

If you buy into the assumption they’ll target Tagovailoa first, step two should be fortifying the protection for him – or whoever is taking the snaps here. Addressing the O-line would also bolster the league’s least effective run game in 2019.

24. New Orleans Saints – Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin

26. Dolphins (from Houston Texans) – D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia

Fitzpatrick led Miami with 243 rushing yards in 2019. Probably enough said, but Swift – widely regarded as the draft’s top back – would be a steal here in any circumstance.

Georgia football offensive lineman declares for 2020 NFL draft

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Solomon Kindley will be entering into the 2020 NFL Draft.

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Solomon Kindley will be entering into the 2020 NFL Draft. Kindley played in 13 games this past season and started 11, primarily at the left guard position. He exited the win over Notre Dame with an injury.

Kindley is another loss for UGA’s offensive line, which is already losing Andrew Thomas and Isaiah Wilson to the 2020 NFL Draft. Kindley has started for part of the season for the past three seasons. His best season came in 2018, when he started all 14 games at left guard.

Justin Shaffer, Trey Hill, Cade Mays, Warren Ericson, Clay Webb, Jamaree Salyer, and Ben Cleveland are among UGA’s key offensive lineman returning for 2020. Fortunately, Georgia has lots of depth along their offensive front to replace the three starters who are entering the NFL Draft.

Kirby Smart and UGA have also signed Tate Ratledge, Chad Lindberg, Austin Blaske, and Devin Willock along the offensive front in the class of 2020. Ratledge and Lindberg figure to be important depth at the very least for Georgia. Additionally, UGA has a commitment from five-star tackle Broderick Jones.

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Key Georgia football offensive lineman reaches NFL draft decision

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Justin Shaffer will be returning to Athens for his senior season.

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Justin Shaffer will be returning to Athens for his senior season. Shaffer was considering entering into the 2020 NFL Draft.

Shaffer played in six of fourteen games last season. He suffered a neck injury and was out for the Sugar Bowl. He announced his decision to return via Twitter:

Shaffer’s return is big for UGA’s offensive line, which is already losing Andrew Thomas and Isaiah Wilson to the 2020 NFL Draft. Shaffer started the Notre Dame game last season after a few UGA linemen went down.

Shaffer is 6-4, 330 lbs, so he has the size they covet at the NFL level, especially for an interior lineman. Shaffer, Trey Hill, Cade Mays, Warren Ericson, Clay Webb, Jamaree Salyer, and Ben Cleveland are among UGA’s key offensive lineman returning for 2020. Solomon Kindley still has to make his NFL Draft decision.

Kirby Smart and UGA have also signed Tate Ratledge, Chad Lindberg, Austin Blaske, and Devin Willock along the offensive front in the class of 2020. Ratledge and Lindberg figure to be important depth at the very least for Georgia. Additionally, UGA has a commitment from five-star tackle Broderick Jones.

 

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Georgia football’s Malik Herring reaches NFL draft decision

Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Malik Herring will be returning to Athens. Herring was considering entering into the 2020 NFL Draft.

Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Malik Herring will be returning to Athens for his senior season. Herring was considering entering into the 2020 NFL Draft.

Herring recorded 26 tackles and a half sack on the season. He announced his decision to return via Twitter:

Herring will help lead an impressive UGA defense in 2020. Herring was a key part of a Georgia defensive front that didn’t allow a rushing touchdown to a running back all season. Don’t look too much into his stats. Georgia’s defensive front dominated, especially against the run and Herring was a key part of that. He joins Richard LeCounte as the latest Dawgs to announce their return to Athens.

UGA’s defensive line loses Tyler Clark and Michael Barnett, but is returning Malik Herring, Jordan Davis, Julian Rochester, Travon Walker, and possibly Devonte Wyatt. Georgia’s defense will be among the best in the country once again.

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