NFL combine invitee: J.R. Reed, DB, Georgia, Plano (Texas) Prestonwood Christian

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back J.R. Reed (20) celebrates with fans after today's Georgia vs. Auburn NCAA football game at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn. Georgia won, 21-14.   Bob Andres / robert.andres@ajc.com

Credit: Bob Andres

Credit: Bob Andres

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back J.R. Reed (20) celebrates with fans after today's Georgia vs. Auburn NCAA football game at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn. Georgia won, 21-14. Bob Andres / robert.andres@ajc.com

Thirty-two players with Georgia connections (26 from Georgia high schools, six from Georgia colleges) have been invited to the NFL scouting combine, which will be held Sunday through March 2 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

The number is up from the 25 players who were invited in 2019.

Georgia has 10 players invited. In 2018, they had 12 led by Nick Chubb and Sony Michel.

In 2016, a total of 26 players with Georgia ties competed at the combine. In 2015, there were 37. In 2014, 23 players and in 2013, 29 and in 2012, there were 26.

There also were more than 30 players (31) in 2011.

Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas, a potential top-10 NFL draft pick, heads the list of former Bulldogs on the list of 337 players who have been invited. Also, Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown is a projected top-10 pick.

The first on-field drills will start Feb. 27.

Today, we’ll look at Georgia safety J.R. Reed:

J.R. Reed, 6-1, 215, DB, Georgia, Plano (Texas) Prestonwood Christian. The son of former Grambling and Minnesota Vikings/New Orleans Saints wide receiver Jake Reed, who started his career at Tulsa before transferring to play for the Bulldogs. He was selected first-team All-SEC by the coaches and was named one of our captains last season.  He was one of three finalists for the Jim Thorpe award as the nation's top defensive back. He started the first 13 games and finished with 54 total tackles, fourth-best on the team. He also had seven pass breakups, ranking third among all defenders. He was the co-winner of the Vince Dooley defensive MVP award, which is given at team's postseason banquet.

Here are the other players with Georgia connections who have been invited to the combine:

Player, Pos., High school, college

Tremayne Anchrum, OL, McEachern HS, Clemson
Tyler Bass, PK, Dutch Fork (S.C.), Georgia Southern
Essang Bassey, DB, Columbus HS, Wake Forest
Rodrigo Blankenship, K, Sprayberry HS, Georgia
Derrick Brown, DT, Lanier HS, Auburn
Harrison Bryant, TE, John Milledge Academy, Florida Atlantic
Lawrence Cager, WR, Calvert Hall (Md.), Georgia
Marquez Callaway, WR, Warner Robins HS, Tennessee
Quintez Cephus, WR, Stratford Academy, Wisconsin
Josiah Coatney, DL, Chapel Hill HS, Mississippi
DeeJay Dallas, RB, Glynn Academy, Miami
Kyle Dugger, DB, Whitewater HS, Lenoir-Rhyne
Blake Ferguson, LS, Buford HS, LSU
Jake Fromm, QB, Houston County HS, Georgia
Antonio Gandy-Golden, WR, Paulding County HS, Liberty
Antonio Gibson, WR, Eagle's Landing HS, Memphis
Jonathan Greenard, DL, Hiram HS, Florida
Brian Herrien, RB, New Manchester HS, Georgia
Solomon Kindley, OL, Raines (Fla.), Georgia
Jordan Mack, LB, Wesleyan School, Virginia
Xavier McKinney, DB, Roswell HS, Alabama
Jared Pinkney, TE, Norcross HS, Vanderbilt
J.R. Reed, DB, Prestonwood Christian (Texas), Georgia
Chauncey Rivers, DL, Stephenson HS, Mississippi State
D'Andre Swift, RB, St. Joseph's Prep (Pa.), Georgia
A.J. Terrell, DB, Westlake HS, Clemson
Andrew Thomas, OL, Pace Academy, Georgia
Kindle Vildor, DB, North Clayton HS, Georgia Southern
Isaiah Wilson, OL, Poly Prep Country Day (N.Y), Georgia
Charlie Woerner, TE, Rabun County HS, Georgia
D.J. Wonnum, DL, Stephenson HS, South Carolina
Jabari Zuniga, DL, Sprayberry HS, Florida