NFL Head Coach Praises Development Of Major College Football Program

No program has produced more NFL talent over the last three years than the Georgia Bulldogs, who have sent 33 players to the pro level during that span. UGA broke the NFL record with 15 selections in 2022 and set another mark in 2023 with a total of 25 players selected over a two-year span.

That brings head coach Kirby Smart's total to 63 NFL draft selections since taking the helm in 2016. For reference, Nick Saban, arguably the greatest college football coach of all time, sent 48 Alabama players to the NFL during his first eight years.

UGA's knack for recruiting and – most importantly developing – talent hasn't gone unnoticed in the NFL ranks. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans is the latest example of acknowledgment, praising Smart and company when describing former Georgia cornerback Kamari Lassiter.

The Texans took Lassiter with the 42nd pick in this year's draft.

“At Georgia, Kirby has done a great job you can tell of raising them the right way," Ryans said. "Kirby has done a great job with all of his guys. Having them NFL ready to go and that’s one thing you see from Georgia year after year since he has been there, like, those guys are plug and play type players, and it’s a credit to him and his program and how they run things there. You get a Georgia guy you know you’re getting an NFL player.”

Georgia is expected to have another large group of prospects eligible for the 2025 draft, headlined by star quarterback Carson Beck, edge Mykel Williams and safety Malaki Starks. That is a long way from the Bulldogs' to-do list, with the season just around the corner.

The Dawgs will open the 2024 season against No. 14 Clemson in Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Kickoff is slated for Aug. 31 at noon ET (ABC).

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