PEACH STATE TIES
The Falcons have five players on their roster with connections to Georgia. Here’s a look at who they are:
Vic Beasley
Ht., Wt.: 6-3, 246
Age: 24
Position: Outside linebacker
Georgia connection: Adairsville native
2016: Led the NFL with 15.5 sacks
Notable: His father, the late Vic Beasley, Sr., played football at Auburn from 1982-84.
Josh Harris
Ht., Wt.: 6-1, 224
Age: 27
Position: Long snapper
Georgia connection: Carrollton native
2016: Had three tackles on special teams during regular season
Notable: Member of Auburn's 2010 BCS Championship team.
Grady Jarrett
Ht., Wt.: 6-0, 305
Age: 23
Position: Defensive tackle
Georgia connection: Conyers native
2016: 48 tackles, three sacks in 16 games
Notable: Father is former Falcon Jessie Tuggle
Ryan Schraeder
Ht., Wt.: 6-7, 300
Age: 28
Position: Offensive tackle
Georgia connection: Played college football at Valdosta State
2016: Started all 16 regular-season games (secnd consecutive season)
Notable: Signed $33 million contract extension in November.
Philip Wheeler
Ht., Wt.: 6-2, 245
Age: 32
Position: Linebacker
Georgia connection: Columbus native, played at Georgia Tech
2016: 28 tackles in four starts
Notable: Played in Super Bowl as a member of the Indianapolis Colts
There are also five Patriots with Georgia connections:
New England
David Andrews
Height: 6-3
Weight: 295
Age: 24
Position: Center
Georgia connection: Johns Creek native, played football at UGA
2016: Started all 16 regular-season games at center
Notable: Undrafted out of college, Andrews earned $237K in performance-based pay bonus as a rookie in 2015.
Justin Coleman
Height: 5-11
Weight: 190
Age: 23
Position: Defensive back
Georgia connection: Brunswick native
2016: Played in 10 games, starting one, during regular season
Notable: First true freshman to start at DB at Tennessee (2011) since Chiefs All-Pro Eric Berry in 2007.
Jonathan Jones
Height: 5-10
Weight: 190
Age: 23
Position: Defensive
Georgia connection: Carrollton native
2016: Played in all 16 regular-season games as a rookie.
Notable: Attended same high school as Falcons long snapper Josh Harris.
Shaq Mason
Height: 6-1
Weight: 310
Age: 23
Position: Offensive lineman
Georgia connection: Played college football at Georgia Tech
2016: Played in all 16 regular-season games, including 15 starts, at right guard.
Notable: Born in 1993, Shaquille Olajuwon Mason is named after mother’s two favorite basketball players at the time.
Malcolm Mitchell
Height: 5-11
Weight: 200
Age: 23
Position: Wide receiver
Georgia connection: Valdosta native, played college football at UGA
2016: 32 receptions for 401 yards and four touchdowns in 14 regular-season games.
Notable: Mitchell’s first book, a children’s book titled ‘The Magician’s Hat’, was published in 2016.
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