ATHENS — Georgia’s offensive line never quite lived up to its “Great Wall” moniker on the field last season, but the 2020 NFL Draft has been a different story.
The Bulldogs became the first team to have two tackles selected in the first round since Tennessee turned the trick in 1991, when Phillip Fulmer was the offensive line coach and Charles McRae and Antone Davis were selected 7th and 8th overall.
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Georgia football finished the 2019 season with a Sugar Bowl win and No. 4 national ranking, but some felt UGA could have done more.
The offensive line wasn’t the issue, but it also wasn’t as dominant as expected. Injuries led to the Bulldogs starting six different O-Line combinations in the first seven games.
The Georgia prospects were no less attractive to NFL teams, however.
The New York Giants selected Andrew Thomas with the fourth overall pick, making him the highest offensive line pick in UGA history, and then the Tennessee Titans picked Isaiah Wilson with the 29th overall pick.
Thomas gets reunited with his former Georgia teammates, linebacker Lorenzo Carter and cornerback Deandre Baker.
The Giants selected Baker in the first round last year.
“It’s a dream come true,” Thomas said during an interview with CBS46.
“(Saquon Barkley) is one of the best backs in the league, if not the best. I’m excited to be in that offense and make something shake.”
Wilson, who Mel Kiper Jr. originally issued a fourth-round grade, is expected to replace Jack Conklin as the Titans’ starting right tackle.
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Former UGA offensive line coach Sam Pittman, now the head coach at Arkansas, took to Twitter to advertise the success Wilson enjoyed in the draft after redshirt his freshman season.
Wilson’s mother was eager to celebrate with him after he was selected, as well, as was noted on social media late Thursday night.
Offensive guard Solomon Kindley is another Georgia offensive lineman off the so-called “Great Wall” who redshirted his first season.
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Kindley could hear his name called as early as tonight. Some projections have had the 6-foot-3, 336-pounder being selected in the third round.
Coach Kirby Smart will surely have a personal message for Kindley — as well as the other Bulldogs — when they get drafted, too.
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