Eagles CB Kelee Ringo records first career NFL interception to seal 33-25 win over Giants

Former Georgia defensive back Kelee Ringo recorded his first career interception in the NFL on Christmas Day.

Ringo picked off a Tyrod Taylor pass in the back of the end zone on the final play of a game between the New York Giants and his Philadelphia Eagles, preserving a 33-25 win in the process.

The pass came on the final play, when Taylor scrambled around for quite a bit before picking out a target in the back of the end zone.

Ringo read the play and broke on the ball, picking it off and hitting the turf for a touchback to end the game. It was his first career interception, coming in his 15th game of his rookie season.

He made a living making exactly that type of play while with the Bulldogs in college.

So far in the NFL, going into the Christmas Day game, Ringo had appeared in 14 games with one start, recording eight tackles and one pass defended. He hasn’t yet emerged as a full-time starter for the Eagles, who have several former Georgia players on the roster.

Philadelphia added Kelee Ringo to its collection of Bulldogs in this year’s NFL Draft, selecting him with the No. 105 overall pick, a fourth-round selection. Despite the fact that he wasn’t a top draft choice, Ringo has the tools to become an elite player.

NFL Draft analyst Lance Zierlein had a very favorable NFL player comp of Jimmy Smith, who helped the Baltimore Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII.

“Boundary corner with an impressive blend of size and athleticism,” Zierlein wrote in his report on Kelee Ringo ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft. “Ringo is uniquely suited to travel the field and match talents against some of the bigger targets in the league. He can press and does a nice job of controlling plays in front of him from off coverages.

“However, he is very average at anticipating breaks and transitioning with them to squeeze the top of the route. His physicality in coverage and in run support are big assets in his favor, but there is still work to be done in consistency of coverage. Ringo’s traits will be highly coveted and he has a chance to become a very good NFL cornerback if his route recognition continues to develop.”