Georgia offensive guard Solomon Kindley decides on NFL future
ATHENS — Georgia offensive guard Solomon Kindley is ready to take his game to the next level, announcing that he will forego his senior season of eligibility to enter his name into the 2020 NFL Draft.
“Bulldog nation thank you for accepting me and always being there when I needed you,” Kindley said in a post via his Instagram account. “I’m forever grateful for all your support.”
Kindley, a 6-foot-4, 335-pound redshirt junior from Jacksonville, Fla., played through an ankle injury that he suffered in the 23-17 win over Notre Dame on Sept. 21.
He is the third starter from Georgia’s 2019 offensive line to declare for the 2020 NFL Draft, joining Andrew Thomas and Isaiah Wilson. Fellow offensive lineman Justin Shaffer announced that he would be returning for his senior season. Shaffer filled in for Kindley when he was injured.
Year 4 gone be one to remember 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/spaBHqaTFD
— Justin Shaffer™ (@ShafferJustin54) January 6, 2020
Georgia is still waiting to hear on Jake Fromm’s NFL decision. The junior quarterback has until Jan. 20 to make a decision on whether he will return for his senior season.
It was clear Kindley was not at his best when he returned to action two weeks later in a 21-0 win over Kentucky, and he was still not 100 percent when he returned to the starting lineup for the Nov. 2 game at Florida.
Kindley did, however, play well in the Bulldogs’ 26-14 Sugar Bowl win over Baylor. The junior provided leadership at the bowl site, sparking much-needed confidence among a shuffled offensive line.
WATCH: Solomon Kindley pumps up new offensive line
Kindley was a team captain for Georgia’s wins over Vanderbilt, Missouri and Texas A&M.
A three-star product coming out of Raines High School, Kindley redshirted the 2016 season before earning seven starts at right guard his redshirt freshman season.
Kindley took over the left guard spot in 2018, starting all 14 games at left guard and being named one of three winners of the Bulldogs’ Most Improved Offensive Player Award at Georgia’s postseason gala.
Underclassmen have until Jan. 20 to declare themselves eligible for the NFL draft. A list of underclassmen approved for entry will be sent to NFL teams on Jan. 24.
The NFL draft evaluation process includes the East-West Shrine Game (select players Jan. 18, St. Petersburg, Fla.) and the Senior Bowl (select players, Jan. 25, Mobile, Ala.).
The NFL combine takes place Feb. 24-March 2 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
The University of Georgia will also hold a “Pro Day” combine in March, typically the week leading up to the start of spring drills.
The NFL Draft takes place April 23-25 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
More Georgia football stories from DawgNation
- A timeline of events regarding Zach Evans’ recruitment and Georgia football
- Georgia football podcast: The latest rumblings regarding 5-star RB Zach Evans
- WATCH Georgia basketball coach Tom Crean: ‘Every night is a big night’
- Georgia football cornerback Eric Stokes announces decision on future
- Jake Fromm: What we’re hearing on his upcoming UGA or NFL decision
