WATCH: Kirby Smart Sends Heartfelt Message To Drafted Bulldogs
The Georgia Bulldogs have had an excellent showing through the first three rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft. Six Bulldogs were taken in the top 100 picks, and more Bulldogs are expected to be selected in the final rounds of the NFL Draft on Saturday.
Kirby Smart saw his one-time 3-star DB commit Eric Stokes become a 1st-round draft pick as he was the first Bulldog chosen, and it was to the Green Bay Packers with the 29th overall selection. Stokes’ speed, size, and multiple years of starting experience helped him climb into the 1st round.
It didn’t take long on Friday for the next Bulldog to be chosen as the Jacksonville Jaguars selected CB Tyson Campbell with their first pick in the 2nd round. The former 5-star had a “three-and-out plan” when he signed with Georgia in 2018, and that plan came to fruition this weekend.
It may have taken longer than expected, but Georgia’s elite pass rusher from last year, edge defender Azeez Ojulai, was finally selected in the 2nd round by the New York Giant with the No.50 overall pick. The former four-star from Marietta (GA) will now play with former Bulldogs Lorenzo Carter, Andrew Thomas, and Tae Crowder in New York. Ojulari will bring a much-needed pass rush to the Giants defense.
Up next was senior linebacker Monty Rice who was chosen by the Tennessee Titans with the 92nd overall pick in the 3rd round. Rice had an excellent Bulldog career where he made 219 total tackles.
Two picks later, senior offensive lineman Ben Cleveland was picked by the Baltimore Ravens with the 94th overall pick. The former Stephens County (GA) star finished his Bulldog career on a high note and played his best football in his final season in 2020.
The final Bulldog chosen on Friday night was tight end, Tre McKitty. The former Florida State tight end transferred to Georgia for the 2020 season and had his best game of the season against South Carolina. McKitty was picked by the Los Angeles Chargers with the 97th overall pick.