Georgia Bulldogs stars have huge opportunity to skyrocket up 2025 NFL Draft boards at Senior Bowl
The Georgia Bulldogs are yet again sending a large group of pro-ready talents to the 2025 NFL Draft. Kirby Smart has made this process all but automatic. Players come to Georgia, reach their absurd potential, and then go on to be drafted. This year should be no exception as the NFL Draft process is set […]
The Georgia Bulldogs are yet again sending a large group of pro-ready talents to the 2025 NFL Draft. Kirby Smart has made this process all but automatic. Players come to Georgia, reach their absurd potential, and then go on to be drafted. This year should be no exception as the NFL Draft process is set to heat up.
Yes, believe it or not it's already NFL Draft season, with most all star games underway or completed at this point. And the most important all star game of the entire NFL Draft process, the Senior Bowl, is about to kick off this week in Mobile, Alabama. Georgia, to the surprise of absolutely no one, is sending several players there who could skyrocket up 2025 NFL Draft boards with a good week of practice and interviews.
Which former Georgia Bulldogs players will be at the Senior Bowl and where could they possibly be drafted? Let's dive in.
Tate Ratledge, Interior Offensive Line
It's hard for offensive linemen to receive the hype and recognition that they're due during NFL Draft season, but Tate Ratledge is one who certainly deserves it. Ratledge logged over 2,000 snaps for Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs, but allowed only two sacks in that entire tenure. He was Mr. Consistent, always proving to be one of the most dominant pass blockers in the sport.
But more importantly, he was one of the most prominent leaders in the locker room at Georgia. Kirby Smart couldn't help but sing his praises as the Bulldogs' season came to an end (as you can see in the post from DawgNation below).
Tate Ratledge is currently expected to be a late round two or early round three pick, but in a class without many surefire elite interior line prospects he may still have a shot at much earlier draft capital. Ratledge needs to show that he can hold up in isolation against the biggest, strongest, baddest defensive lineman at the Senior Bowl, but if he does there's a shot he sneaks into the top 40 picks of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Trevor Etienne, Running Back
Trevor Etienne fought through a couple injuries this past season with the Georgia Bulldogs and was never asked to be an every down featured running back, but he can certainly take a game over when called upon. Against Texas–in both games–he destroyed the Longhorns, tallying over 200 yards from scrimmage and five scores against them alone this past season.
Now that Etienne has had a little to time to rest and recover from Georgia's long season he should be able to show of the burst and athleticism that had many scouts excited about his NFL future not too long ago. He's currently considered a firm day three selection, but if Etienne can show off his balanced skill set at the Senior Bowl this week, the ability to win against any matchup in space, and the vision that makes him special, he might climb to round three.
Smael Mondon Jr., Linebacker
Smael Mondon had put together some great tape in years past (as you can see in Joe Broback's post below), but his 2024 season might just get him drafted rather early. Mondon cleaned up any missed tackle issues he had in prior seasons, posted his best pass coverage year, and brought pressure around 20% of the time when asked to get after the quarterback for Georgia.
Mondon is looking like he'll be an mid day three selection right now, but that could change with a strong Senior Bowl showing. The 2025 NFL Draft linebacker class has a clear top two with Jalon Walker (also a Georgia Bulldog) and Jihaad Campbell of Alabama, but after that there's a void that could be filled if Mondon's swagger, confidence, and consistency in all facets impress the right NFL scouts this week.
Jared Wilson, Interior Offensive Line
There aren't many offensive lineman in the 2025 NFL Draft class with less starting experience than Jared Wilson, but he didn't seem to need it this past season. Wilson took over the starting center for the Georgia Bulldogs this past season full-time and succeeded in wildly impressive fashion, allowing zero sacks on over 800 snaps in 2024.
He's one of the bigger, longer athletes at the center position this year, so if he just shows up and looks the part at the Senior Bowl he probably rises quickly into round three discussions.
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Edge Defender
When finally given his chance with starter snaps in 2024 Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins performed admirably. His key rate stats weren't the most impressive, but his versatility along the defensive line for Georgia proved crucial in several games this year. Ingram-Dawkins brought five pressures against Kentucky. He tallied two sacks against Auburn. When he needed to make a big play he did. He's almost assuredly a late day three selection, but if he can show off some of his impressive size-speed-bend skills at 6'5", 280 pounds Ingram-Dawkins might go early day three.
Dan Jackson, Safety
Dan Jackson didn't have his best season last fall given how often he missed tackles, but his coverage ability peaked. Jackson gave up exactly zero plays of over 20 yards on the year playing over 700 snaps for the Bulldogs and Kirby Smart. He allowed just 7 yards per reception. Once NFL teams catch up to how elite he was in coverage this year and see his high motor in person there's a good chance he's drafted, if not selected early day three.
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We'll be back with more Georgia Bulldogs coverage here at A to Z Sports all year long! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!
And if you want to look back on some of the special moments from Smael Mondon's career at Georgia you can check out the highlights video below!
