Kenny McIntosh picked by Seattle in seventh round of 2023 NFL Draft
Georgia running back Kenny McIntosh heard his name called in the 2023 NFL Draft on Sunday. The Florida native was picked No. 237 overall by Seattle Seahawks, becoming the third Bulldog ball carrier to be selected in the past two seasons.
McIntosh, who is the 10th UGA player to be selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, is the sixth Bulldog running back to be picked since Kirby Smart became the head coach. Sony Michel and Nick Chubb were picked in 2018 and D’Andre Swift went in the 2020 NFL Draft. Both James Cook and Zamir White were selected in last year’s draft.
Many point to Brock Bowers as Georgia’s top offensive weapon in 2022 but McIntosh was the Bulldogs’ leader in yards from scrimmage. He racked up 1,333 yards on the year with 829 coming on the ground and 504 as a receiver.
Those receiving numbers set a school record and he had two scores via the passing game. McIntosh added 10 touchdowns on the ground as the Bulldogs went 15-0 on the season and won their second straight National Championship.
He was a significant contributor for Georgia in the 2021 National Championship run as well. He piled up 572 total yards and five touchdowns from scrimmage. McIntosh also threw for a score against Michigan in the Orange Bowl.
Kirby Smart wasn’t shy about praising the versatile running back who waited three years for his chance to be feature ball carrier. He was especially impressed with McIntosh’s response to losing a fumble against Florida back in October.
“I told him he’s a bad MFer,” Smart said. “He’s tough, he’s physical. He gets after it and he responded. That’s what I talk about. You’ve got an opportunity to show resiliency—one of our four DNA characteristics. I promise you every NFL scout and every Georgia fan watching will remember the way he responded. He ran the ball with just a vicious attitude. A contact seeking running back.”
Georgia signed McIntosh in the 2019 prospect after turning up the head on him late in the process. He was highly-thought-of but ranked just inside the top 200 of the On3 Industry Ranking, finishing at 194 overall. He was seen as the nation’s No. 14 running back and the No. 25 prospect in Florida.
When the dust settled on McIntosh’s Georgia career, he had racked up 1,582 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns to go with 860 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He was also a promising kick returner in 2020 and 2021 before dealing with injuries.
McIntosh’s selection gives Georgia 10 players that have been picked: Jalen Carter (Eagles), Broderick Jones (Steelers), Nolan Smith (Eagles), Darnell Washington (Steelers), Kelee Ringo (Eagles), Stetson Bennett (Rams), Christopher Smith (Raiders), Robert Beal (49ers) and Warren McClendon (Rams).
