Georgia football DBs can lean on each other while pursuing their NFL dreams at combine
INDIANAPOLIS—They came in different groups of players Thursday morning at different times into a room in the Indiana Convention Center set up to run 321 players through over the course of four days this week.
Former Georgia football teammates each with NFL dreams now setting out on their own as pros.
First was Javon Bullard wearing the assigned DB-47 on his NFL combine gear.
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Next came Tykee Smith, DB-63.
Finally, Kamari Lassiter, DB-23.
“Those are my Dawgs,” Lassiter said. “Any time we have to just hang around with each other, you know we’re going to that regardless. I’m just glad to see my guys out here. We’re all just striving to compete and make a better name for ourselves.”
The three defensive backs all came to Georgia in 2021. Lassiter was a four-star recruit from Savannah and Bullard a three-star from Milledgeville. Smith transferred from West Virginia.
They talked about the pre-draft process in recent weeks in a group chat with former Bulldog safety Chris Smith.
Bullard and Smith are rooming together this week in Indianapolis.
“They know they can always call on Bull whenever they need me,” Bullard said. “It’s amazing being up here with those guys. It’s special. All of us have the same dreams, chasing the same goals and aspirations.”
Chances are the defensive backs who together helped the Bulldogs win two national championships will go their separate ways unless of course the Philadelphia Eagles keep snatching up Georgia players.
They will keep their bonds at the next level.
Georgia has seen more than two defensive backs selected in the same NFL draft before under Kirby Smart. Eric Stokes (1st), Tyson Campbell (2nd) , Richard LeCounte (5th) and Mark Webb (7th) all went in 2021.
“I’ll be honest, they’re hard to evaluate because they’re so well-coached,” said Matt Miller, an ESPN draft analyst. “I feel like this used to be a thing at Alabama as well. When you watch a Kirby Smart defensive back, you know they’re coached up well. I don’t want to say maxed out, but they’ve been coached so well for three or four or five years, you kind of wonder, 'OK, how much better can they get?'”
Lassiter, a two-year starter at cornerback, was projected as a late first-round pick this week by ESPN’s Mel Kiper.
Bullard, who started at both nickel back and safety at Georgia, is getting some late first-round mentions as well.
Smith, who started last season at nickel and led the team with 70 tackles and four interceptions, is seen as a Day 3 pick.
“I’m like a kid at the candy store,” Bullard said. “You’re talking to head coaches, GMs, guys that I wouldn’t dream of seeing.”
Miller views Lassiter as a top 50 or 55 pick. He sees Bullard going in the second round.
Smith is seen as a fourth or fifth rounder. Miller says he could be viewed as a box safety, which will drop him.
“Football is a very physical game, but I like the mental aspect of it,” Lassiter said. “I like to dive into coverages. I understand coverages very well. I understand how to use my leverage. I understand when I have help and what my help is.”
Pro Football Focus listed Bullard as one of its players with the most to gain this week, saying “if he can open some eyes by testing better than expected, he could be a highly coveted player heading into the draft.
Bullard was looking forward to running the 40-yard dash on the Lucas Oil Stadium turf Friday afternoon.
“I think a lot of people probably are going to be surprised at what I run,” Bullard said.
Bullard believes his versatility enhances his value.
“Being able to cover in the slot, being able to drop back in the half or drop back in the middle of the field,” he said. “Showing off range and man coverage ability.”
He feels most at home at nickel he said, because he loves to play in the box.
“You’re ears always perk up when you know you’re blitzing,” he said. “Whatever your team needs I can be that guy for you.”
Georgia once again is offering players from its secondary that can fill team needs on the next level .
“You’ve got talent up the wazoo, talent everywhere,” Bullard said. “Coach Smart does an amazing job of getting guys ready and where they want to go.”
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Georgia football defensive backs lean on each other at NFL combine
