The Dawgs in the NFL have seen much success… especially those in Philadelphia! Now, a new breed of Bulldog enters the 2025 NFL Draft, looking to leave their own mark on the pros. Here’s how the former Bulldogs stack up in the upcoming Draft on April 24.
Mykel Williams
As a recruit, Mykel Williams was a five-star. Although Williams dealt with many injuries and never recorded more than five sacks in a season during his time at Georgia, draft analysts believe in his archetype and talents when he’s on the field. Williams is projected to go in the first round of this year’s NFL draft. One projection even has him selected as high as seventh overall.
Jalon Walker
Jalon Walker will be a game-wrecker no matter where he lands. Scouts realize this after his third season with the Bulldogs. Walker had 61 total tackles, two pass deflections and 6.5 sacks. Drawing in the Butkus Award, Walker is expected to be drafted in the first round. ESPN’s Mel Kiper projects Jalon Walker to go eighth overall to the Carolina Panthers.
The NFL’s overview of Walker states, “He’s tough but small as an early down edge rusher, but his athletic talent and suddenness to attack both edges makes him a menace for tackles.”
Malaki Starks
Georgia’s last projected first-rounder is none other than Malaki Starks. Starks led the team in tackles this past season with 77 and was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. He was a second-team Associated Press All-American and was named second-team All-SEC. Starks forced one turnover in the season opener against Clemson with an acrobatic interception. He recently visited the Philadelphia Eagles, which is no surprise with Philly’s history of successfully drafting former Bulldogs.
Tate Ratledge
Tate Ratledge missed four games this past season after undergoing tightrope surgery on a left ankle sprain. However, Ratledge still earned himself a spot as a first-team SEC guard. He clocked a sub-five 40-yard dash at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. Ratledge is currently projected to go in the third round of the NFL draft.
Jared Wilson
Jared Wilson started 12 games at center during the 2024 season, missing two games with a foot injury. Wilson has always been praised for his athleticism by the Georgia staff, and it showed during the NFL combine. Wilson ran a 4.84-second 40-yard dash, the fastest of his group. He is the second 300-pound lineman to run faster than a 4.85-second 40. His athletic performance in the combine puts him projected as a third or fourth rounder in the draft.
Dylan Fairchild
The former state champion wrestler worked his way up the draft boards with his performances starting just 24 games. He earned the title as a Second-Team All-American during the 2024 season. Fairchild enters the draft standing at 6’5” 315 pounds with elite pass-protection skills.
Smael Mondon Jr.
Smael Mondon Jr. saw the field in a majority of games during his time at Georgia when he was healthy. In all three of his final seasons, Mondon Jr. dealt with lingering foot injuries, causing missed time. During his senior year, he missed four games with a leg injury. Yet, he still recorded 57 tackles, three sacks and three pass breakups in just eight starts. He is expected to be a role player in the NFL and is projected to be selected in the fourth round.
Trevor Etienne
In just one season with the Bulldogs, Trevor Etienne made many high-impact plays and completed his and the team’s goal of winning an SEC championship. Etienne shined against Texas. He recorded a hat-trick with three touchdowns in Austin and two in the SEC championship. Sharing the backfield with Nate Frazier, Etienne rushed for 609 yards and 9 touchdowns and caught 32 passes for 194 yards, earning a third-to-fourth round projection in this year’s draft.
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins’ redshirt junior year gave him the chance to prove himself as a starter. Ingram-Dawkins started in 10 of 14 games, amassing 17 tackles including eight tackles for loss, three sacks, two pass breakups and a forced fumble. He ranked second among defensive linemen in the athleticism category at the NFL combine. Ingram-Dawkins is projected to be drafted late in the fourth round.
Nazir Stackhouse
After five years at Georgia, Nazir Stackhouse became a fan-favorite. Unfortunately, Stackhouse did not have the best fifth year. He recorded 27 total tackles with 0 sacks. In his combine performance, Stackhouse ranked 31st among defensive tackles in total score (production and athleticism). His 6’4” 327-pound frame provides upside, however, and he is projected to be drafted in the 6th round.
Ben Yurosek
Ben Yurosek spent just one season with the Bulldogs after using his graduate transfer year at Georgia. Yurosek caught 15 passes for 185 yards. His options were limited in the passing game, outshined by Oscar Delp and Lawson Luckie. His most productive season as a pass-catcher came in 2021 with 653 yards, but he was stronger in the run-blocking category as his college career came to a close. Yurosek is projected to be drafted in the seventh round.
Warren Brinson
In his five seasons with Georgia, Brinson played in 59 games. In those appearances, he had four sacks. One of those sacks came against Texas in this past year’s SEC Championship. Brinson also had three QB pressures in the Sugar Bowl. He ended the 2024 season with 26 total tackles. Brinson is projected to be drafted in the 5th round of the NFL draft.
Xavier Truss
Spending six years at Georgia, Xavier Truss saw his fair share of reps with the Bulldogs. Truss had an underwhelming combine performance but possesses tremendous size, standing at 6’7” 310-pounds. During his time in college, he saw more reps at the tackle position but is expected to play guard at the next level. Truss is projected to be a day three pick in the NFL draft.
Dominic Lovett
Dominic Lovett was a reliable receiver in his two seasons at Georgia, averaging 610 yards. He put up the second most receiving yards on the Bulldogs roster in the 2024 season. Lovett also set a career-high with six receiving touchdowns last season. He ran an impressive 4.4 second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. In next week’s draft, many have him signing in the late rounds or as an undrafted free agent.
Arian Smith
Arian Smith was Georgia’s leading receiver in the 2024 season with 817 yards and four touchdowns. Despite leading the SEC in dropped passes with 10 this past season, Smith possesses lightning speed and had a great showing in both the senior bowl week and NFL combine. Smith ran a 4.36 40-yard dash and jumped 38” in his vertical test. The former track runner is projected to be a day three pick in this year’s NFL draft.
Dan Jackson
The former walk-on was snubbed of an invite to this year’s NFL combine, but he made up for it at Georgia’s pro day. Jackson clocked a 4.44 40-yard dash at pro day according to Yahoo Sports. In his final year with the Bulldogs, Jackson ended with 64 total tackles and forced three turnovers. Potentially his most memorable play of the season came against Georgia Tech on 3rd and 1 when Jackson stopped Haynes King short of the line to gain. His efforts in this game eventually led to Georgia defeating its rivals in an eight-overtime thriller.
Chaz Chambliss
Chaz Chambliss’ most productive season, by far, came in 2024. He tied with Jalon Walker for the most sacks on the team with 6.5. In addition, he had 41 total tackles and a fumble recovery. Chambliss, like Jackson, was not invited to the NFL combine. At Georgia’s pro day, he led the group with 30 reps on the bench press. Chambliss is projected to either be drafted in the seventh round or sign to a team as an undrafted free agent.