Trio of UGA Football Linemen Selected on Second Night of NFL Draft

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GREEN BAY, Wisc. – Three mainstays of the University of Georgia offensive line heard their names called on the second night of the 2025 NFL Draft Friday evening at Lambeau Field.

Offensive lineman Tate Ratledge was selected by the Detroit Lions with the 25th pick (57th overall) of the second round while fellow lineman Dylan Fairchild was later selected with the 17th pick (81st overall) of the third round by the Cincinnati Bengals. Center Jared Wilson rounded out the selections as he was chosen with the 31st pick of the third round (95th overall) by the New England Patriots.

With the selections, Georgia has now had an offensive lineman picked in the first three rounds in five of the last six years. Friday also marked the first time in program history in which three offensive linemen were chosen in the first three rounds.

The six total Bulldogs selected in the first three rounds tied the 2021 and 2024 drafts for second-most in program history – the record remains nine selected in 2022. Head coach Kirby Smart has now produced 69 NFL Draft picks during his first nine seasons at the helm of the Georgia program, including 16 offensive linemen.

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In four seasons together on the line, Ratledge, Fairchild and Wilson helped lead Georgia to a 53-5 record, earning two Southeastern Conference championships (2022, 2024) and consecutive College Football Playoff championships (2021, 2022). The Georgia offense averaged 31.5 points per game in 2024, with the line allowing only 25 sacks and paving the way for 1,742 rushing yards.

Ratledge appeared in 41 games with 37 starts over five seasons, playing primarily at right guard. The Rome native was twice named to the All-America Team, earning AP Second Team honors in 2023 and AFCA First Team accolades in 2024, along with two First Team All-SEC selections. He is the 16th Bulldog selected by the Lions and the first since D’Andre Swift went 35th overall in 2020.

Fairchild appeared in 44 games with 29 starts over four seasons, playing at left guard in most of his appearances. The Cumming native was named to the AP All-America Second Team and All-SEC Second Team. He marks the 16th Georgia product selected by the Bengals, who have chosen a Georgia offensive lineman in three of the past five drafts (Amarius Mims – 2024, Trey Hill – 2021).

Wilson appeared in 33 games over four seasons, making 12 starts at center during the 2024 season. The Winston-Salem, North Carolina native was named to the All-SEC Second Team. He becomes the 12th Bulldog selected by the Patriots and the first since Isaiah Wynn and Sony Michel went in the 2018 first round. Once in Foxborough, he will compete for the starting center position previously held for 10 seasons by former Bulldog David Andrews.