Georgia Bulldogs in NFL: Natrez Patrick lands roster spot, Elijah Holyfield late cut

Los Angeles Rams linebacker Natrez Patrick made the team as an undrafted free agent.

Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images

Posted 1 year ago

ATHENS — Former Georgia linebacker Natrez Patrick arrived at Los Angeles Rams training camp an undrafted free agent with a chip on his shoulder and exited with a spot on the 53-man roster.

“I feel like that chip is necessary for a guy in my position,” Patrick said. “Coming in undrafted, you don’t have as man opportunities, so you have to get in where you fit in.

“Every rep counted, everything was always a test, and that’s how I approached it.”

I done been on both ends of the spectrum . It’s all about how ya finish . A lil want to with a lot of faith ❤️ pic.twitter.com/68CyNB2MeD

— Natrez Patrick (@NatrezPatrick_9) September 1, 2019

Today is @NatrezPatrick_9’s mom’s birthday.

And for her birthday, the UDFA got himself a spot on the 53-man roster. ♥️ pic.twitter.com/ShA8ezp8CM

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 31, 2019

Former Bulldogs defensive lineman and team captain Jonathan Ledbetter also survived training camp cuts, making the Dolphins’ 53-man roster after going undrafted.

Ledbetter, along with long snapper Nick Moore, represented Georgia at the Senior Bowl in January.

3 Georgia football takeaways from 2019 NFL Draft

Tennessee Titans fifth-round pick and UGA sacks leader D’Andre Walker suffered an undisclosed injury in early August according to the team’s website and was placed on injured reserve. Walker, who had sports hernia surgery last January, isn’t eligible to return to the Titans this season.

Tight end Isaac Nauta, who was drafted in the seventh round by the Detroit following his junior senior at Georgia, was cut by the Lions but resigned to the franchise’s 10-man practice squad.

Georgia fan favorite Elijah Holyfield who also turned pro after his junior season had originally made the Carolina 53-man roster as a free agent, only for the Panthers to claim three other plays off waivers and end up cutting him.

The Panthers have added three players via waivers.

To make room, Torrey Smith, Elijah Holyfield and Kevon Seymour were cut from the 53-man roster.https://t.co/4UgPWTafZM

— Max Henson (@PanthersMax) September 1, 2019

Receiver Terry Godwin, a seventh-round NFL pick, didn’t make it that far with Carolina, not making the original 53-man roster cut.

Former UGA receiver turned NFL cornerback Jayson Stanley suffered a shoulder injury in last Thursday’s game against Jacksonville and reached an injury settlement, per a team announcement.

Former Georgia long snapper Nick Moore, who competed at the Senior Bowl, was cut by the New Orleans Saints.

The Bulldogs had seven players selected in the 2019 NFL Draft, the most during Coach Kirby Smart’s four-year tenure as head coach.

The 2019 UGA players drafted on active 53-man roster:

• CB Deandre Baker, 1st round, 30th overall pick, N.Y. Giants

• WR Mecole Hardman, 2nd round, 56th overall, Kansas City

• WR Riley Ridley, 4th round, 126th overall ,Chicago

• OL Lamont Gaillard. 6th round, Arizona