UGA football: Kirby Smart adds two more 1st round NFL Draft picks to his resume
Former UGA football players Andrew Thomas and Isaiah Wilson joined the professional ranks Thursday night when they were selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Possibly one of the strongest recruiting tactics a college coach can have is proof that they produce high-caliber players at the next level. Last night, UGA football head coach Kirby Smart added two more players to his resume, bringing his list of first-round NFL draft picks to six players.
Offensive tackle Andrew Thomas was the first Bulldog drafted Thursday night, which did not surprise many. Going into the draft, many scouts classified Thomas as the best tackle in the class. Like many other players, Thomas’ stock was like a roller coaster ride. All the predictions finally stopped when the New York Giants selected Thomas with their No. 4 overall pick.
The 6-5, 320-lb. offensive lineman from Pace Academy was the first tackle taken off the board and for good reasons. Since 2017, Thomas has not allowed more than two QB pressures in a single game. Part of what makes Thomas so good at protecting the QB and so efficient in the run game is his strong hands.
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As the night went on, many UGA football fans were sitting on the edge of their seat waiting to hear the name of another former Bulldog called. The waiting ceased when the Tennessee Titans drafted Isaiah Wilson with the 29th pick.
When Wilson initially decided to forgo his senior season and enter the draft, many believed the decision was premature. Early mock drafts projected Wilson as a 3rd or 4th round pick. Much like he always did at Georgia, he put his head down and went to work and showed off his assets in the combine.
During his career at Georgia, Wilson only allowed a quarterback pressure in 2.5-percent of his snaps. For comparison, Thomas only allowed a QB pressure in 2.2-percent of his snaps throughout his career.
Wilson didn’t just impress on the field, he impressed the coaches and GMs with a 28 score on the Wonderlic test. Pairing his book smarts with his play on the field is a recipe for a solid NFL starter for years to come.
Somewhere last night, Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry were smiling on their couches knowing they both received solid offensive tackles to run behind this season. If they don’t believe, I am sure D’Andre Swift would gladly tell them how much easier they both made his life as a running back.
As fans, it is hard to watch players move on to their next stage in life and put their college football days behind them, but watching what happened to Wilson and Thomas last night is what makes it all worth it. Witnessing these players have their lifelong dream come true of playing in the NFL is part of what makes sports so great.
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Thomas and Wilson repped the G with pride during their time at Georgia. Now they join many of their fellow teammates in the league and finally receive that paycheck they have been working towards and so badly deserve.