Kelee Ringo: 'Every day is like a try out' within Georgia standard

INDIANAPOLIS — Kelee Ringo knows just how hard it is to play in the SEC, specifically at Georgia. According to him, every day in Athens is like a try out as head coach Kirby Smart has instilled a culture of competition between the hedges.

“The standard at the University of Georgia is like no other,” Ringo told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday. “The preparation that Coach Smart gives to us and the standard that he holds us to everyday, we know it’s going to be tough coaching. We know that he makes us better with every single thing he does.”

“Every single day it feels like a try out at the University of Georgia,” he continued. “I feel like holding that standard that Coach Smart, the rest of the coaching staff and our teammates held us to with each other definitely helped us grow as a team to have success.”

Ringo certainly is a product of that culture in Athens. While he was the nation’s No. 1 cornerback coming out of high school, it absolutely took time for him to develop into the college player, and NFL prospect, that he became. With size and speed in his back pocket, Ringo learned from the likes of Eric Stokes and Tyson Campbell, both of whom are starting corners in the NFL, during his collegiate career.

Then there’s Smart. Tough on all of his players, there aren’t many that are able to escape the hot mic of the head coach on any given day of practice. That was especially the case for Ringo during Tennessee week.

Clips went around on social media before the game with audio of Smart getting onto Ringo during practice. The whole city of Athens could hear. However, it was that tough love from Smart that Ringo says helped him have the best game of his career.

“Coach Smart is going to push you through the toughest times and actually go straight to plays. We’ll condition before or indy before and then go straight into team and see how you’re able to react under pressure and when you’re tired. I feel like when you’re fatigued, that is when it is hardest to be able to focus and stick to your game specifically,” Ringo recalled. “I made a couple of mistakes in a certain point in time and came back the next time and ending up getting an interception in that specific time. Knowing how hard he was going on me, knowing that I could definitely do better in that situation, me realizing and knowing that he only means good for me and then turning around and making a play for myself, it felt good just to see the love and character he brings to us.” 

“I would say Tennessee, specifically this past year. Obviously a very explosive team, the No. 1 passing team in the country at the time. Knowing that me being myself and Tennessee knowing that I was a good corner but continuing to test me and how I was able to prevail in parts of the game,” he added when asked what one game he’d turn the tape on to showcase his skillset for NFL teams. “As a good quarterback, at times you’re going to want to throw the ball to a good receiver that you trust, and I feel like I was able to overcome things that happened in those games and make good plays in situations that showed the best side of me and my confidence in myself.”

Ringo certainly impressed versus the Volunteers with a key interception while adding a season-high seven tackles in the win over the then-No. 1 ranked team in the country. He’ll look to do so again on Friday when he hits the field for the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium, the same place he sealed the deal on Georgia’s National Championship victory against Alabama in January 2022.

“This is an amazing opportunity. Just to be here at the NFL Combine, this is a dream of mine. I’m just continuing to soak it in,” Ringo said. “As soon as we stepped into Lucas Oil Stadium, just thinking about the success that I’ve had here previously, and of course being able to perform that on Friday.”

“I come from a track background so continuing to work on my technique and explosiveness in the game and using it in football, I’ve been running since I was a kid and that’s one of my strengths of course, in football and running out there in the 40,” he continued when asked about his highly anticipated 40-yard dash. ” I definitely have something to show tomorrow.”

Ringo and the rest of the defensive backs will have their session aired on NFL Network Friday at 3:00 p.m. ET. Defensive linemen and linebackers take the field on Thursday (3:00 p.m.) while offensive players own the weekend (QB, WR, TE: Saturday 1:00 p.m. / RB, OL: Sunday 1:00 p.m.). All on-field workouts can be seen on NFL Network.