Georgia is a Burgeoning Defensive Back Factory

Georgia Football had four defensive backs selected in this year's NFL Draft. Looking at the roster and recruiting class, that might become the norm in Athens.

Author:
Kyle Funderburk
Updated:
May 3, 2021 8:05 PM EDT

While several programs squabble over the "defensive back U" moniker, Georgia football is building a reputation that may soon put them all to shame.

The Bulldogs had a very proud showing in the 2021 NFL Draft, especially from the defensive backfield. Eric Stokes became the second Georgia cornerback to earn a first-round selection in the last three years. Tyson Campbell didn't wait long to hear his name called on Day 2. He left the board as the 33rd overall pick (first pick of the second round.)

Richard LeCounte III would have likely joined Stokes and Campbell in the early rounds if not for the injury he suffered in an automobile accident. The fact he was drafted at all after that situation shows how great of a player he was for Georgia, and how highly scouts think of his game tape.

Just sneaking into the draft was Mark Webb, a former wide receiver. Webb transitioned to defense as a sophomore in 2018 and he started 12 games across his junior and senior campaigns. He was co-winner of the team's Charlie Trippi Award for versatility.

D.J. Daniel surprisingly wasn't taken in the draft, but he did sign with Jacksonville as an undrafted free agent soon after the event. In total, five Georgia defensive backs entered the NFL over the weekend, more than any other school this year.

Despite Daniel going undrafted, this Georgia defensive back class tied the 2004 Miami Hurricanes with the most defensive backs drafted in one class.

Georgia DBs in the draft

2021: Eric Stokes 27th overall
2021: Tyson Campbell 33rd overall
2021: Richard LeCounte III 169th overall
2021: Mark Webb 241 overall
2019: Deandre Baker 30th overall

Georgia never fails to sign elite defensive backs. LeCounte and Campbell were five-star prospects in their respective recruiting classes, and Webb was one of the best receivers in the 2017 class. The recruiting success has clearly translated into NFL Draft success and there's no reason to believe that will change, especially when the current roster is examined.

Current and possible NFL Draft prospects

2022: Lewis Cine
2022: Tykee Smith
2022: Christopher Smith
2022: Ameer Speed
2022: Latavious Brini
2023: Kelee Ringo
2024: Jalen Kimber

That list is a who's who of Georgia's previous recruiting classes. Cine and Ringo are the headliners. Cine was a consensus top-100 player in the 2019 class, while every site had Ringo in their top 10 in 2020. Christopher Smith and Kimber weren't exactly low-level prospects. Smith was a four-star across the board in 2018, and Kimber was ranked as high as No. 84 (ESPN) and no lower than No. 210 (Rivals) in the 2020 class.

Last month, Georgia's success recruiting defensive backs stretched to the transfer portal when Tykee Smith committed to Georgia. The former West Virginia Mountaineer was an All-America selection last season. Every school was after him when he entered the portal.

Don't expect any of them to go undrafted, and don't be surprised if Brini and Smith join them. These two weren't top-100 prospects, but neither was Stokes or Baker. Georgia's player development record speaks for itself and both guys are competing for starting jobs.

Georgia is still going strong at recruiting defensive backs. The Bulldogs added two more top-notch ones in the 2021 class and already have two committed to the 2022 class: