Broderick Jones Credits Georgia for NFL Draft Preparation
When he arrived at Georgia prior to the 2016 season, Kirby Smart knew that establishing the physical brand of football he envisioned leading the Georgia program to previously unattained heights would largely be contingent on recruiting and developing elite offensive lineman. Smart’s hires of Sam Pittman and later Matt Luke - two coaches with strong reputations on the recruiting trail - as his first two offensive line coaches helped translate his vision of a dominant offensive line into a reality. Under Smart, Georgia’s offensive line has been consistently loaded with talent and has produced eight NFL draft picks with three first round picks among that total. Players like Isaiah Wynn, Andrew Thomas, and Isaiah Wilson have made Georgia a destination program for elite offensive linemen. After a dominant junior season in which he did not allow a single sack, Broderick Jones is widely expected to continue that tradition and be the next Bulldog offensive lineman to be drafted in the first round when the 2023 NFL draft kicks off on in Kansas City on April 27.
OT Broderick Jones participates in drills during Georgia's Pro Day in March. Credit: Tony Walsh/UGAA
Yet, while talent is a necessary prerequisite, on its own, it is an insufficient explanation for Georgia’s success in producing NFL draft picks along the offensive line. A more complete explanation would have to include Georgia’s practice culture; a culture that Georgia’s players and coaches alike have routinely insisted is characterized by intensity, physicality, and competition. Georgia’s practices, in many ways, are a breeding ground for NFL development as future NFL draft-picks are required to match up with an assemblage of NFL talent on the other side of the ball on a daily basis.
In an interview with NFL Total Access, Broderick Jones was the latest Bulldog to credit Georgia’s practices for his development during his time in Athens.
“Being able to play at Georgia prepared me so much. Going against so many first-rounders at all times. Even when it’s not practice. Practice makes perfect. That’s what we’ve always said. So going against those Nolan’s, those Azeez’s, those Travon’s, just everybody. Then being able to come out on game day and prove what I can do and just go against those type talents is a big help.”
Kirby Smart has transformed the Georgia football program into a recruiting powerhouse, but testimonials of this nature from future first-round picks like Broderick Jones will only serve to ensure the Georgia recruiting machine continues to churn on at an elite level.
