Georgia Bulldogs Countdown to Kickoff: Day 32
We’re 32 days away from toe meeting leather and the start of the season for the Georgia Bulldogs, and as we’ve done each day leading up, we’re looking at how the number factors into Georgia lore.
We didn’t have to go far for this one either.
That’s because, in April, the Bulldogs sent five picks to the NFL in the first round of the draft, including pick No. 32.
The Minnesota Vikings would be on the clock and ultimately select Georgia secondary stalwart Lewis Cine.
A standout safety from Cedar Hill, Texas’ Trinity Christian High School, Cine actually grew up in Massachusetts before transferring out to the Lone Star State to finish out his high school career. At Trinity Christian, he would be coached by gridiron legend and current Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders.
A Consensus four-star prospect in high school, Cine was ranked as the nation’s No. 45 overall prospect in the Class of 2019 and the No. 2 safety in the cycle.
He would go on to play in 39 games, post 145 total tackles, and sixteen pass deflections in his three-year career in Athens and establish himself as an enforcer on the backend of the defense.
Just ask Kyle Pitts.
Kirby Smart is certainly a fan.
“When you design a safety, he’s got all the qualities. And he’s really been a student of the game. He came in as a raw talent that had played up in Boston in high school, and then in Texas,” Smart said of Cine ahead of last season. “He bounced around and, you know, he never really learned a scheme where he learned how to play the position. He’s really grown at that.”
And Cine’s background helped to endear him to the fanbase, as it likely will in Minnesota.
“He is an interesting kid, because his motivation is his daughter, his family, his father, his mom. And he’s spent a lot of time outside of football working on his career,” Smart said. “He’s been adamant to me about his career after football and making sure he’s good, making sure that he’s making good investments when he makes good money.”
And he certainly made good money with his position in the draft, signing a fully guaranteed almost 11.5 million dollar four-year contract with the Vikings.
So, credit where credit is due — Lewis Cine is a Damn Good Dawg, a National Champion, and a millionaire with the ability to support those he loves.
Great No. 32 overall pick in our opinion.
Recent Georgia Bulldogs Countdown to Kickoff Stories
No. 33 – 33 of the biggest points in Georgia history
No. 34 – Herschel and the continuation of the 34 legacy at RBU
