Jack Podlesny signs undrafted free agent deal with Vikings
Georgia kicker Jack Podlesny didn’t hear his name called during the 2023 NFL Draft, but he’ll still get to pursue the dream of playing professional football. Podlesny signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Minnesota Vikings.
Podlesny came onto the scene at Georgia in 2020. Replacing the legendary Rodrigo Blankenship, Podlesny stepped right in and was among the top kickers in the country.
Podlesny won the job during preseason camp and finished the season 13 for 16 on field goals and 38-of-38 on PATs. Of his 21 kickoffs, 12 resulted in touchbacks. He was a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award.
Podlesny was named Offensive MVP of Georgia’s Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl win over a top-10 Cincinnati team as he made all three of his attempts including the game winner from a career-long 53 yards with just three seconds left. It was one of three kicks Podlesny hit from 50 yards or more and earned him a spot on the Associated Press All-Bowl Team.
Podlesny returned in 2021 and once again, his season-long kick came in the final game of the year. That time it was a 49-yarder in the College Football Playoff Championship Game against Alabama that helped the Bulldogs stay in it in the first half. Overall, Podlesny hit 22 of his 27 attempts on the season.
Podlesny saved his best for last in 2022, earning SEC Special Teams Player of the Year and a spot on both the Associated Press and Coaches All-SEC First Team. He had his best year in terms of field goal percentage making 26 of 29 attempts. Twice did he earn SEC Special Teams Player of the Week going 3-for-3 against Kent State before a 4-for-4 performance the following week on the road at Missouri.
Podlesny finished his career 61 for 74 with a long of 53, the Peach Bowl game winner. He also had 86 touchbacks on 134 kickoffs, making 182 PATs over the course of his career to give him a career point total of 365 in 40 career contests.
Georgia had 10 picked in the draft including Jalen Carter, Broderick Jones, Nolan Smith, Darnell Washington, Kelee Ringo, Stetson Bennett, Chris Smith, Robert Beal, Warren McClendon and Kenny McIntosh. The Bulldogs’ 10 ties them for the most in the country with Alabama, one player ahead of Michigan.
