Tag: uga nfl draft

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 have declared for the 2021 NFL Draft?

Numerous Georgia Bulldogs have announced that they intend to enter into the 2021 NFL Draft and several others are staying in Athens.

Eleven Georgia Bulldogs have announced that they intend to enter into the 2021 NFL Draft. Remaining players have about a week to make a decision on their NFL future. Additionally, six notable players have announced that they’re returning to the University of Georgia for another season.

The 2021 offseason is unique because players can transfer and be immediately eligible. The 2020 season does not count against anybody’s eligibility either.

Kirby Smart and Georgia will have to replace five defensive backs who have declared for the 2021 NFL Draft. The Bulldogs are only losing two offensive linemen and a tight end on the offensive side of the football. Quarterback JT Daniels is returning for another season and so are the vast majority of his weapons.

Here’s a list of every Georgia Bulldog who have made decisions regarding the 2021 NFL Draft:

UGA football CB Tyson Campbell declares for 2021 NFL Draft

Georgia Bulldogs cornerback Tyson Campbell is entering the 2021 NFL Draft.

Georgia Bulldogs cornerback Tyson Campbell is entering the 2021 NFL Draft. Campbell joins fellow Georgia starting cornerback Eric Stokes in entering the NFL Draft.

Tyson Campbell came to the University of Georgia as a highly touted five-star recruit. Campbell helped lead American Heritage High School (Plantation, Florida) to a state championship in 2017.

Kirby Smart, Dan Lanning, and the defensive staff will have their hands full trying to rebuild the secondary for the 2021 season. Both Campbell and Stokes are projected to be selected in the first few rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft. It is tough to replace that level of talent, but fortunately, Georgia as several elite recruits to fill in the void.

Throwback to one of the best plays of Tyson Campbell’s career. He’ll be missed.

Tyson Campbell thanked coach Smart, Georgia, and announced his NFL Draft decision via his Twitter account:

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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.

First NFL game for each of Georgia’s 2020 rookies

The 2020 NFL schedule was released on Thursday, so we bring a look at each of Georgia football’s rookies first pro games.

Thursday, the NFL released the schedule for the 2020 football season, providing more optimism that football will be played in the fall.

What that will look like remains to be known, but for now, let’s take a second to look ahead to the games on the schedule which feature newly drafted, former Bulldogs.

Georgia had seven players drafted into the NFL this year. Opening week’s Monday Night Football features a double-header (Giants vs Steelers and Titans vs Broncos). That means we will be able to watch both of Georgia’s first round offensive tackles (Andrew Thomas, Isaiah Wilson) on that first Monday night.

Here is a list of each of the draftee’s first NFL game.

New York Giants – OT Andrew Thomas (4th overall pick) and LB Tae Crowder (last pick, 255)

Giants vs Steelers – Monday, September 14, 7:15 p.m. ET on ESPN

Tennessee Titans – OT Isaiah Wilson (29th pick)

Titans at Broncos – Monday, September 14, 10:10 p.m. ET on ESPN

Detroit Lions – RB D’Andre Swift (35th pick)

Lions at Bears – Sunday, September 13, 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX

Miami Dolphins – OG Solomon Kindley ( pick No. 111)

Dolphins at Patriots – Sunday, September 13, 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS

Buffalo Bills – QB Jake Fromm (pick No. 167)

Bills vs Jets – Sunday, September 13, 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS

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

49ers vs Cardinals – Sunday, September 13, 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX

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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Checking in on Andrew Thomas’ Twitter after being drafted by the Giants

A look at former Georgia football OT Andrew Thomas’ Twitter account after being picked by the New York Giants at #4 in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Former Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas became the highest picked offensive lineman in UGA history when he was selected by the New York Giants at #4 overall on Thursday night.

In the hours following the selection, Thomas started to show some love to his new team and fans, making a series of posts on Twitter and Instagram.

Let’s check in on his social media:

Checking in on Andrew Thomas’ Twitter after being drafted by the Giants

A look at former Georgia football OT Andrew Thomas’ Twitter account after being picked by the New York Giants at #4 in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Former Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas became the highest picked offensive lineman in UGA history when he was selected by the New York Giants at No. 4 overall on Thursday night.

In the hours following the selection, Thomas started to show some love to his new team and fans, making a series of posts on Twitter and Instagram.

Let’s check in on his social media:

How former UGA OT Andrew Thomas fits with New York Giants

Here is how we see Georgia football OT Andrew Thomas fitting in with his new team, the New York Giants.

The New York Giants decided not to trade away the No. 4 overall pick and instead took Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas to protect quarterback Daniel Jones and create holes for running back Saquon Barkley.

The Giants needed help on both sides of the offensive line, so the selection  of the 6-foot-5 315 pound Thomas will provide immediate help.

Where he’ll be in ten years from now is unknown, but Georgia coach Kirby Smart referred to him as a 12-14 year starter earlier today on the NFL Network.

Joe Judge is in his first season as head coach of the Giants, and being able to add a consistent, no-nonsense player like Thomas to the locker room is a huge relief.

Thomas was a three year starter at Georgia and served as team captain in 2019. He is a leader that the franchise needed both on the field in the locker room.

The Giants will look to get the ball into Barkley’s hands as much as possible, and Thomas is about as good as it gets in run blocking, haven blocked for Sony Michel, Nick Chubb and D’Andre Swift in his three years at Georgia.

From Giants Wire:

Thomas brings a lot of power to the run game. His power, length and tenacity with a mauler’s attitude should help the Giants on the right side of the line. It is likely that with Nate Solder still under contract that Thomas starts out on the right side with the projection to move to left tackle in the future.