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Mel Kiper ranks Georgia’s Javon Bullard as top safety ahead of 2024 NFL draft

Mel Kiper tabs Georgia football defensive back Javon Bullard as favorite safety ahead of NFL draft…

The 2024 NFL draft will take place this week in Detroit and the Georgia Bulldogs are expected have another big year. No other college football program has been as successful as UGA has at the event over the last three years.

Georgia has sent 34 players through the NFL draft over that time span, including 15 selections in 2022, which is a league record.

While players like Brock Bowers and Amarius Mims represent the Bulldogs at the top of this year’s draft, several players are considered unknowns further down the board. One of those prospects is safety Javon Bullard.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has high praise for the two-time national champion defensive back. Kiper recently chose Bullard as his favorite safety (subscription required) ahead of Thursday’s first round.

“As I wrote in my two-round mock draft, Bullard’s value comes in his versatility, as he played as a slot corner, center fielder and up near the line of scrimmage for the Bulldogs. He had four picks over the past two campaigns, and he was stellar in coverage last season. He allowed just 54 passing yards as the nearest defender in coverage in 2023, and that came on 20 attempts.

Bullard is a little undersized at 5-foot-11 and 198 pounds, but I love his all-around game and instincts in coverage.”

Bullard may be undersized by NFL standards, but he plays much bigger. The former three-star prospect routinely delivered gut-wrenching hits to opposing players. Perhaps the most talked about example came in Georgia’s Peach Bowl matchup versus Ohio State. Bullard delivered a powerful, legal hit on star wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. that ultimately knocked him out of the game.

Bullard earned Defensive MVP in Georgia’s win over the Buckeyes and went on to earn the same honor in the national championship win over TCU.

After starting at nickelback, or “STAR” in UGA’s nomenclature, in the 2022 season, Bullard moved to safety after NFL departures opened a starting spot in 2023. He didn’t miss a beat, earning second-team All-SEC honors for his efforts.

In 32 games as a Bulldog, Bullard racked up 114 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, four interceptions and eight pass breakups.

Kiper projects Bullard to hear his name called on Day 2.

“Projection: In a safety class with no consensus No. 1 guy, Bullard is at the top of my board. He should be drafted in Round 2.”

You can watch first-round coverage of the draft on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN), followed by Rounds 2-3 on Friday (7 p.m.) and Rounds 4-7 on Saturday (noon).

4-star OL Mason Short names top schools

Four-star in-state offensive line recruit Mason Short is projected to commit to Georgia football

Four-star offensive line recruit Mason Short, who recently decommitted from the Alabama Crimson Tide, has named his top schools. The Crimson Tide did not make the cut of Short’s latest top schools. Short decommitted from Alabama after visiting the University of Georgia and a few days after Nick Saban retired.

Short’s top schools are Georgia, Clemson, Kentucky, and Ohio State. Short is currently projected to commit to the Georgia Bulldogs.

Georgia offered a scholarship to Mason Short in April 2022 and have continued to heavily recruit the talented in-state offensive lineman. The 6-foot-6, 305-pound interior offensive lineman is ranked as the No. 161 player in the class of 2025. Short is considered the seventh-ranked interior offensive lineman and the No. 22 recruit in Georgia, per 247Sports.

Mason Short plays high school football for Evans High School in Evans, Georgia. Short is a member of the class of 2025 and is a junior.

The talented offensive line prospect announced his top schools via social media:

The talented offensive line recruit was previously committed to Alabama from April 2023-Jan. 2024.

Georgia football signee named among top DEs in 2024 class

Five-star Georgia football signee named among top DEs in 2024 class

Georgia football signed the No. 1 overall recruiting class in the 2024 cycle, including one of the nation’s most coveted defensive lineman in five-star recruit Joseph Jonah-Ajonye.

Jonah-Ajonye (6-foot-4, 275 pounds) played for Oak Ridge High School in Conroe, Texas. He is rated the No. 7 defensive lineman in the nation, the No. 7 player in Texas and the No. 29 recruit overall in the 2024 class, per the final 247Sports Composite Rankings.

It’s unclear where Georgia will use Jonah-Ajonye, who is already on campus in Athens. The talented defender could be an interior player, or lineup at outside linebacker. Rivals sees Jonah-Ajonye playing best on the outside, naming him the No. 2 strong-side defensive end in the class.

While Jonah-Ajonye’s fit completely depends on Georgia’s needs, his 6-foot-10 wing span could serve useful in helping set the edge of the Bulldogs defense. You can watch his senior season highlight tape here. Kirby Smart and Georgia are looking to have a more disruptive defensive front in 2024.

Elite 2024 Georgia signee finishes cycle as No. 1 overall recruit

Elite 2024 Georgia signee finishes cycle as No. 1 overall recruit

Georgia’s No. 1 recruiting class for the 2024 cycle includes a slew of highly touted players, and five-star cornerback Ellis Robinson IV is considered the star of the class.

Robinson (6 feet, 1 inch, 185 pounds) finished as ESPN’s No. 1 overall recruit in the class, making him the highest-rated cornerback recruit in Georgia history. He was ranked No. 2 overall by 247Sports and No. 3 overall by Rivals.

The IMG Academy standout enrolled early at Georgia and is already in his first semester in Athens.

Robinson’s talent is apparent on film. He routinely wins 1-on-1 matchups, which often end with the ball in Robinson’s hands. You can watch Robinson’s senior film here.

The Bulldogs will look different at cornerback following the departure of starter Kamari Lassiter to the 2024 NFL draft. Robinson has the skills to contribute there immediately. We’ll get our first chance to see Robinson in a UGA uniform when Georgia hosts its annual G-Day spring game in April.

4-star OT Mason Short decommits from Alabama after visiting UGA

Four-star in-state offensive line recruit Mason Short has decommitted from the Alabama Crimson Tide

Four-star offensive line recruit Mason Short has decommitted from the Alabama Crimson Tide. Short decommitted from Alabama after visiting the University of Georgia and several days after Nick Saban retired. Short was part of a massive recruiting weekend for the Bulldogs.

The Georgia Bulldogs and head coach Kirby Smart have been aggressively recruiting against Alabama since Nick Saban’s retirement. The Bulldogs have already gained a commitment from Alabama transfer Jake Pope. Additionally, Georgia plucked Alabama’s cornerbacks coach away from their staff.

Georgia offered a scholarship to Mason Short in April 2022 and have continued to actively pursue the talented in-state offensive lineman. The 6-foot-6, 305-pound interior offensive lineman is ranked as the No. 159 player in the class of 2025. Short is considered the No. 8 interior offensive lineman and the No. 20 player in Georgia, per 247Sports.

Mason Short plays high school football for Evans High School in Evans, Georgia. Short is a member of the class of 2025 and is a junior.

The talented offensive tackle announced his decommitment from Alabama via social media:

The talented offensive line recruit had been committed to Alabama since April of 2023. Georgia is looking to take advantage of Nick Saban’s departure on the recruiting trail and so far, so good for the Dawgs.

Georgia among schools in play to sign talented Tennessee transfer

Georgia among schools in play to sign talented Tennessee transfer

Georgia faces a unique situation on its defensive front next season: Multiple contributors are faced with NFL decisions.

Senior defensive lineman Zion Logue will turn pro. Seniors Warren Brinson and Nazir Stackhouse have the option to return for another season due to the COVID-19 year.

The Bulldogs have been active in the transfer portal to address the situation. Georgia hosted South Carolina transfer Xzavier McLeod this past weekend and is in play for Tennessee transfer Tyler Baron.

On3 Sports reported on Thursday that Baron is considering staying in the SEC. Georgia, Texas, Ole Miss and Alabama are his top choices.

The fourth-year player is coming off his best season to date, racking up a career-best 6.5 sacks for the Volunteers in 2023. He has amassed 101 tackles, 27 tackles for a loss, 13.5 sacks, four pass deflections, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in his career.

Baron, a former four-star recruit, is rated the No. 5 edge defender in the portal, per 247Sports.

Former Georgia OLB reportedly visiting Missouri

Former Georgia OLB reportedly visiting Missouri

Former Georgia outside linebacker Darris Smith is currently visiting Missouri, according to a report by 247Sports’ Phillip Dukes on Thursday.

Smith entered the transfer portal earlier this month as a sophomore with two years of eligibility remaining. The former four-star recruit was rated as the No. 14 edge defender and the No. 14 player in the state of Georgia coming out of Appling County High School.

Playing time was hard to come by for Smith, who appeared in five games this season before leaving the team before the matchup with Florida. Smith finished his Georgia career with 16 game appearances, recording seven tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass deflection.

Student-athletes can enter the NCAA transfer portal from Dec. 2 until Jan. 2, 2024, as well as April 15-30.

Georgia football gains PWO commitment from 3-star QB

Georgia football gains PWO commitment from 3-star QB

Georgia football added another quarterback to its 2024 recruiting class on Wednesday night with a commitment from three-star recruit Colter Ginn.

Ginn accepted a preferred walk-on spot, joining current quarterback commits Dylan Raiola and Ryan Puglisi. While Raiola’s pledge hangs in the balance of, Puglisi and Ginn’s commitments seem to be safe ahead of early signing period (Dec. 20).

Ginn. (6-foot-3, 191 pounds) plays for Perry High School in Perry, Ga. He is rated as the No. 97 quarterback and the No. 175 player in the state of Georgia, per 247Sports.

Ginn threw for 2,193 yards and 15 touchdowns to four interceptions in route to the Panthers first state championship in program history this season (Class AAAA).

Georgia DL Zion Logue accepts Shrine Bowl invitation

Georgia DL Zion Logue accepts Shrine Bowl invitation

Georgia football defensive lineman Zion Logue has made his NFL decision. He will play in the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl, where eligible players have a chance to showcase their skills in front of NFL coaches and scouts.

Logue, a senior, has been a key contributor and leader on the Bulldogs’ defensive front. The Lebanon, Tenn., native signed as a three-star recruit in the 2019 class.

Logue played in all 13 games for Georgia this season, racking up 16 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and three pass breakups.

Georgia’s defensive line will look much differently next season with upperclassmen like Logue moving on. Seniors Warren Brinson and Nazir Stackhouse still have a decision to make. Both have the option to use the COVID-19 year to add another year of eligibility.

The Bulldogs have been active in the transfer portal to make up for the lost production. Georgia hosted South Carolina transfer Xzavier McLeod this past weekend. UGA also expects to sign six defensive lineman in the 2024 recruiting class.

Four-star Georgia WR commit sets official visit with LSU

Top Georgia WR commit sets official visit with LSU

Four-star Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver commit NiTareon “Nitro” Tuggle is planning to visit another college football program.

Tuggle, who has been committed to Georgia since April, is planning to take an official visit to the LSU Tigers on Dec. 15-17, which is right before the early signing window. The timing of Tuggle’s visit means he could be flipping to LSU.

Head coach Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs recently did a home visit with the elite wide receiver recruit. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound wide receiver is a member of the class of 2024.

Tuggle has shown excellent versatility for Northwood High School in Nappanee, Indiana. The Northwood star has sharply risen up recruiting rankings. Tuggles is ranked No. 83 in the class of 2024. Tuggle is the No. 16 wide receiver and the No. 2 player in Indiana.

On tape, Tuggle is an explosive athlete. The talented wide receiver makes sharp cuts and is a playmaker when he gets the football. Tuggle shows the ability to track the ball well and is capable of making contested catches over defensive backs.

The four-star wide receiver has impressive tape on Hudl. Tuggle’s juke move is quite effective, helping make him elusive after the catch.

Georgia football has 28 commitments in the class of 2024. The Bulldogs have the No. 1 class in the country. Tuggle is one of Georgia’s two wide receiver commitments in the class of 2024. The Dawgs may also look to add a wide receiver via the transfer portal.