ATHENS — The NFL scouting combine begins this week in Indianapolis, and the Georgia Bulldogs will be well-represented as usual.
The Bulldogs will send 12 players to Lucas Oil Stadium for the four-day event. That brings to 47 the total number of Georgia players to participate in the “underwear Olympics” since 2020. That’s the most in the nation during that span, by the way.
The UGA representatives will be:
1. OLB Robert Beal
2. QB Stetson Bennett
3. DT Jalen Carter
4. WR Kearis Jackson
5. OL Broderick Jones
6. RB Kenny McIntosh
7. OL Warren McClendon
8. PK Jack Podlesny
9. DB Kelee Ringo
10. DB Christopher Smith
11. OLB Nolan Smith
12. TE Darnell Washington
The strong representation should come as no surprise. After all, the Bulldogs have won the past two national championships. Each Georgia representative played a key role in compiling a 29-1 record over those two seasons.
It’s an intriguing selection, for sure. Eight of the players are originally from the state. You’ll also note that every position group is represented therein. Several of the players will receive first-round consideration.
One of those UGA prospects who is not getting first-round consideration is Bennett. That’s especially interesting when one compares his college football profile with Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, who not only is getting such consideration but generally is considered the No. 1 QB prospect in this year’s draft.
When their college football profiles are compared side-by-side, it’s no wonder that Bennett walks around with a giant chip on his shoulder. The two quarterbacks are virtually identical, with Young getting a bit of an edge as a passer and Bennett as a runner.
News surfaced early this week that Young does not plan to throw at the combine. He suffered a shoulder injury in October. Conversely, all eyes will be on Bennett during the throwing drills. Other than learning his exact size, that will be the most-scrutinized exercise for the 25-year-old from Blackshear.
Young is listed on NFL profiles as 6-foot, 194 pounds, while Bennett is listed at 5-11, 190 pounds. Having seen them greet each other at the end of games three times over the past two years, they look to be identical in height.
The rest of their numbers are likewise comparable:
Bennett vs. Young
5-11 Height 6-0
190 Weight 194
41 Games 34
8,429 Pass Yds 8,356
66 Pass TDs 80
21 Interceptions 12
65.0 Comp.% 65.8
530 Rushing 162
14 Rush TDs 7
It’s also notable that Bennett’s team won the past two national titles. During that run, Bennett won five postseason offensive MVP honors.
Jalen Carter no doubt will be the first Bulldog off the board in April. NFL draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah labeled Carter the best player in the draft and Alabama’s Will Anderson the second. Carter, a 6-3, 300-pound junior, announced this week that he won’t work out at the combine but will be available for the interviews.
Easily the most intriguing is Washington. While Georgia fans are familiar with Washington’s physique and exploits of the last three seasons, NFL evaluators are just now getting a good look.
Jeremiah again: “Massive. He is like playing with a sixth offensive linemen in the run game, and he is still developing and learning in the pass game. I think there’s more there. Obviously, (Georgia) had the best tight end in the country there with (Brock) Bowers, who is just an absolute freak show. So, (Washington) doesn’t get as many balls as he would on other offenses, but he is really intriguing.”
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