Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia Bulldogs

Eagles select ex-Georgia Bulldog Smael Mondon in NFL draft

Linebacker is a two-time national champion.
Georgia linebacker Smael Mondon runs a drill during the school’s NFL pro day at the University of Georgia indoor practice facility on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Athens. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Georgia linebacker Smael Mondon runs a drill during the school’s NFL pro day at the University of Georgia indoor practice facility on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Athens. (Jason Getz/AJC)
By AJC Sports
April 26, 2025

Selection: Fifth round (No. 161 overall), Philadelphia Eagles

Position: Linebacker

Height, weight: 6-foot-2, 224 pounds

Class: Senior

High school: Paulding County

ExploreWhat’s at stake for Georgia football heading into final rounds of the 2025 NFL draft

Notable: Two-time national champion. … 57 tackles, three sacks in 2024. … Career-high 13 tackles in win over Georgia Tech in 2024. … Played in 51 career games, making 32 career starts. … Second-team All-SEC selection in 2023. … Led the 2022 national championship team in tackles with 76. … Member of AJC Super 11 in 2020.

About the Author

From the sports staff of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Follow AJC Sports on facebookFollow AJC Sports on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Sprayberry running back Kealan Jones runs after a catch against Lee County during the first round of the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs at Sprayberry High School on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, in Marietta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Future Yellow Jackets: A final look at Georgia Tech football signees

Coach Brent Key has 24 high school seniors who have signed to play for Tech in 2026. Tech’s 2026 recruiting class ranks 38th overall and ninth among ACC teams.

‘Unstoppable’: Gwinnett’s 2-time QB of the year draws comparison to Diego Pavia

Archer’s Jordan Do was honored as Gwinnett County’s best quarterback for the second consecutive season on Monday, adding to a football career overflowing with records.

Haynes King named ACC offensive player of the year by AP

King was named the AP league offensive player of the year, Bain was defensive player of the year and Elliott was named coach of the year.

The Latest

Georgia offensive lineman Dontrell Glover (center) blocks against Austin Peay linebacker Jaycob Neely during their game at Sanford Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Athens.. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

2 Georgia football freshmen arrested on shoplifting charges

Some things that stand out about Georgia football’s 2026 schedule

2025 College Football Playoff quiz

Featured

Waymo autonomous vehicles operate across 65 square miles inside I-285 and have been involved in six incidents with Atlanta Public School buses since May. Waymo issued a recall because of their cars briefly stopping or slowing down before continuing forward while a bus was stopped and flashing its lights. (Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools)

Credit: Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools

Waymo cars ignored stopped school buses in Atlanta. What happens now?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation. The autonomous vehicle company has issued a software recall.

Search for new MARTA chief hits snag

The search for a new leader for the regional transit authority is widely seen as one of the most important duties facing the Marta Board

Georgia high school coach choked player, put another in headlock, warrants say

The Greene County High coach was charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of simple battery, according to investigators.