Georgia Football likely to be well represented at Senior Bowl again in 2023
After last year, Georgia had a record 15 players picked in the 2022 NFL Draft. For six of those 15 Bulldogs, the path to the draft started in Mobile, Ala. at the Reese’s Senior Bowl. As the 2022 College Football season starts this weekend, the Senior Bowl released its watch list for players that could be in Mobile this coming February before the 2023 NFL Draft, including seven Bulldogs.
Robert Beal, Stetson Bennett, Warren Ericson, Kearis Jackson, Kenny McIntosh, Christopher Smith and Nolan Smith all made the mega-watch list that in total included 484 position players – no specialists made the cut – who have been evaluated by the staff and have tape-based grades logged. Every player on the list is eligible to play in the 2023 Senior Bowl as either a 2018 high school graduate or a fourth-year-plus player. Not included were juniors who could become eligible by graduating in December.
The Players
Robert Beal: Beal led the Bulldogs in sacks last season with 6.5 quarterback takedowns. That included one in five of the last six games of the season. The only one of those that he didn’t, Georgia was unable to get to the quarterback at all in the SEC Championship Game. All in all, he had 23 tackles and 16 quarterback pressures.
Stetson Bennett: Bennett threw for 2,862 yards and 29 touchdowns on 185-of-287 passing last season, starting 12 total games including the last 11 for the Bulldogs on their way to a National Championship Game victory. In that win over Alabama, Bennett was named Offensive MVP as he threw for 224 yards and a pair of touchdown, both in the fourth quarter. The Blackshear, Ga. native also won Offensive MVP of the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl in a win over Michigan, completing 20 of 30 passes for 313 yards and three touchdowns.
Warren Ericson: Ericson is the most interesting inclusion on the list because it’s looking more and more like he won’t end up starting for Georgia this season. However, Ericson started 14 games for Georgia on the offensive line at right guard last year and has the ability to play multiple positions on the offensive line, including center. If there are any injuries, Ericson could be called into action at any point, acting almost like a sixth-man of sorts given his experience and ability to play anywhere on the interior.
Kearis Jackson: After leading the team in receiving in 2020, Jackson took a step back in 2021 as he worked his way back from an offseason knee surgery. That also limited his impact in the return game too. Still, Jackson managed to play in every game, and when healthy, is a dangerous option returning punts or kicks.
Kenny McIntosh: There aren’t many players that have been praised more than McIntosh this fall camp. McIntosh is expected to step into a bigger role in the Georgia offense this season after the departure of the Bulldogs’ top two running backs. He totaled 588 yards of offense last season including at least one touchdown passing, rushing and receiving.
Christopher Smith: Smith played through injury last season, being banged up down the stretch, but when Georgia needed him most, he played his best football. Against Clemson in the season-opener, Smith intercepted a pass and took it the distance for the game’s only touchdown. He moved from his safety spot to STAR versus Tennessee when Georgia was in need of assistance in the secondary, and in the National Championship, he was all over the field making plays. Smith played every snap of each of those three games and is expected to be a big contributor once again, especially in a secondary that is without a ton of depth.
Nolan Smith: Smith finished in the top five on the team in tackles last season, also coming in second on the team in tackles for loss with 9.0 as he started all 14 games in which he played. One of his best games came in the College Football Playoffs as Smith posted a career-high-tying eight tackles against Michigan to go along with 7.0 quarterback pressures, four more than he had in any other game during the season, and a forced fumble. He also had a strong showing against Florida with a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an interception.
