Super Bowl Sunday might as well have been an advertisement to every high school recruit in the country. Want to perform, win championships, and get paid at the highest level? Come to the University of Georgia.
Three Georgia pass rushers were featured across the Eagles defensive line, which was the most dominating factor in Philadelphia’s dismantling of the Chiefs dynasty. Jalen Carter has already established himself as one of the best defensive tackles in football. Jordan Davis seemingly cannot be moved when he enters the game, and Nolan Smith became a double-digit sack guy in his second NFL season. All of them are going to make gobs of cash when their time comes, but until then, they’ll have to settle for Super Bowl rings.
What’s even more insane is those three aren’t the only players drafted from the Bulldogs 2021 defensive line room. Travon Walker went first overall to the Jags, where he’s racked up 20.5 sacks over the last two seasons, and Devonte Wyatt of the Packers was another first round pick, who has amassed 10.5 sacks over the last two seasons.
If you’re keeping track, that’s five first round draft picks that were apart of the Bulldogs 2021 defensive line rotation. Combined, they already have over $100 million in earnings before even reaching their second contracts to go along with three Super Bowl rings.
By the time it’s all said and done, it’s not unreasonable to think these five players will combine to make well over $500 million, with many of them likely partake in a lot more Super Bowl Sundays to come.
Getting guaranteed money up front coming out of high school is nice, and the Bulldogs must find ways to be as competitive as possible in that aspect, but Kirby Smart can point to something no other coach in America can replicate, especially on the defensive side of the ball. That second contract in the NFL is a helluva lot more lucrative than any NIL deal available at the collegiate level.
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Photographer: Brandon Sloter/Icon Sportswire
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