Mel Kiper Jr.’s surprising rankings for Georgia football captains Jake Fromm, J.R. Reed

Jake Fromm and J.R. Reed have been two of the Georgia football program’s most respected and celebrated leaders the past three seasons.

But Mel Kiper Jr.’s recent position rankings don’t appear to give either of the former Bulldogs’ permanent captains much credit for that.

Perhaps no quarterback prospect has been hurt more by the NFL teams canceling face-to-face interviews with prospects leading up to the draft than Fromm.

The outgoing Georgia quarterback is at his best in person, where his intelligence and charisma light up a room.

Fromm received a surprisingly low position ranking from Kiper just weeks after some considered him a potential first-round pick after he elected to come out early.

Fromm is known as an incredibly fast processor of information with an ability to get through his reads quickly and smoothly.

The NFL combine was not expected to boost Fromm’s stock, as his arm strength was called into question.

It’s worth noting that Tampa Bay Bucs’ coach Bruce Arians has been an admirer of Fromm and his leadership for quite some time.

Kiper himself noted Arians may reach for Fromm in the second round.

Just as surprising as Fromm’s relatively low rank at QB, Reed is not ranked among the Top 10 safeties by Kiper.

Reed was flabbergasted at the NFL combine in Indianapolis last month when asked why the narrative had changed where his draft stock was concerned.

One year after being a projected third- or fourth-round pick, Reed didn’t draw a Senior Bowl or East-West Shrine Game invite. This, after Reed chose not to travel with his team to the Sugar Bowl on account of turf toe.

“I don’t know why expectations have changed, they haven’t changed in my mind,” Reed said, asked about the perceived lack of interest from teams. “ I’m out here, I truly, firmly know I’m the best safety here.”

Reed aimed to prove it with his combine performance, finishing on an explosive note.