Georgia tight end announces decision on 2022 NFL Draft

Georgia tight end John FitzPatrick announced Tuesday that he will enter the 2022 NFL Draft, ending his college career. The 6-foot-7 junior from Atlanta, Georgia saw significant time in Kirby Smart’s three-tight end sets during the 2021 season.

While the arrival of freshman phenom Brock Bowers and continued emergence of sophomore Darnell Washington, John FitzPatrick was pushed to third on the Georgia depth chart in one of the most talent-rich position rooms in college football. However, he still managed to make a major impact and will turn pro after four seasons.

After playing just two games as a freshman, FitzPatrick played in 36 games over the next three seasons. He finished his Georgia career with 17 catches for 200 yards and one touchdown, doing most of his work as an outside blocker for the Bulldogs potent running game.

Statement from John FitzPatrick

In addition to the NFL Draft announcement, FitzPatrick penned a letter to his family, the Georgia staff and the teammates who he won a national championship with this season.

“Thank you to the University of Georgia for the best four years of my life,” FitzPatrick said in the statement. “I received an amazing education, made lifelong friendships, and had the opportunity to challenge myself in the classroom while playing a game that I love, surrounded by fans who love it just as much.

“Thank you to Coach Smart, Coach Hartley, Ron Courson and the rest of the UGA staff. You believed in me, challenged me and supported me to become a better player and person.

“Thank you to my family. Without you, none of this would have been possible. I have the greatest cheering squad I could have imagined watching me and watching over me, and I count my blessings every day for that.

“Thank you to the teammates who made me better each and every day. I am lucky to have competed against and trained with you guys, and I know that my toughest were forever the other Dawgs I played against in practice – we all held the same goal, and we achieved it.

“I came to UGA because I wanted to play at the highest level and to help UGA win a national championship. With that goal achieved it is time to move toward my next goal and begin preparing for the 2022 NFL Draft. I’m excited and hopeful to see what is next. Go Dawgs!”