Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers (19) celebrates a touchdown with offensive lineman Amarius Mims (65) against the TCU Horned Frogs during the CFP national championship game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia draws NFL evaluators in droves for pro day

All 32 teams were represented at the annual Georgia Pro Day in Athens, Ga., with evaluators in town for a close-up with more than a dozen Bulldogs prospects expected to be under consideration during the 2024 NFL Draft.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan, Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan and general manager Ran Carthon and Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce were among the pro football dignitaries on the field on the first day of the NFL league year on Wednesday.

Several NFL teams had larger contingents on hand. The Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers and Cincinnati Bengals sent multiple scouts and position coaches.

Eight total prospects produced by the Bulldogs were selected in the first round the past two years, including No. 1 pick Travon Walker to the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022 and defensive tackle Jalen Carter, the ninth pick in the 2023 draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Georgia has produced six top-10 draft picks since 2015 (running back Todd Gurley, Rams) and Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers is projected as a potential top-10 pick in April.

Bowers, offensive tackle Amarius Mims, wide receiver Ladd McConkey, cornerback Kamari Lassiter, center Sedrick Van Pran, safeties Tykee Smith and Javon Bullard and running back Kendall Milton are all expected to be drafted by the fourth round of the 2024 draft.

Fifteen total Georgia prospects were selected in the 2022 and 2023 drafts.

–Field Level Media

Georgia tight end Brock Bowers (19) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of a NCAA college football game against UAB in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.

Georgia TE Brock Bowers could delay 40, workout to pro day

INDIANAPOLIS — Georgia tight end Brock Bowers unquestionably is expected to run into the NFL as a first-round pick, but he’s leaning toward staying on the sideline during the NFL Scouting Combine.

The All-American projected as a top-10 draft pick, Bowers plans to make a decision on participating in on-field workouts and athletic testing with his position group before they take the field at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday.

“We’ll see. If not tomorrow, definitely on Pro Day,” Bowers said Thursday morning. “We’ll see how I’m feeling tomorrow. Just a personal fit.”

The first back-to-back Mackey Award Winner (2022, 2023) given to the top tight end in college football, Bowers had 31 touchdowns (five rushing) in three seasons at Georgia. In 40 career games, he hauled in 175 receptions for 2,538 yards.

Former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski is the player Bowers said he grew up watching most. He also studied film of dozens of NFL tight ends during his time at Georgia, where he lined up in the slot, as a traditional tight end and even in the backfield as a running back.

“I loved watching Gronk. He’s kind of like a huge role model for me looking at him growing up. And watching (George) Kittle and (Travis) Kelce,” he said.

If Bowers keeps scouts and general managers waiting for his 40 time and position workout that most expect to be stellar, he’s aware the league might return the favor on draft night. Not out of spite, but Bowers can expect to be monitoring his phone as the pecking order is sorted out at quarterback and wide receiver before he’s selected.

Even so, when he goes on draft night isn’t as vital to Bowers as where he winds up.

“I just want to go to a place I’m wanted and be used and hopefully have a good rookie season,” Bowers said.

During what is a return trip to Indianapolis and the stadium where Georgia won the national title by beating Alabama in 2022, Bowers underwent multiple X-rays and MRI exams that team medical staffs will read to sign off on recovery from previous injuries. Bowers missed a month of the 2023 season recovering from ankle surgery but said he’s fully healthy.

With uncertainty around when he could be drafted, Bowers said he already met with at least 15 teams, recalling formal interviews took place with the Bears, Bengals, Broncos, Colts and met with the Titans, a team that piqued his interest.

“That’s a cool place to live, Nashville, Tennessee,” Bowers said with a smile.

If Bowers opts not to work out at the combine, Georgia’s pro day is an annual must-stop for all 32 teams and is scheduled for March 13.

–Field Level Media

Georgia tight end Brock Bowers (19) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Kentucky in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023.

Georgia All-American TE Brock Bowers takes big step in rehab

Georgia stayed undefeated and has the traditional SEC reward waiting this week: another ranked opponent, this time in the form of Ole Miss.

The Bulldogs outlasted Missouri, 30-21, remaining undefeated and getting another step closer to having All-American tight end Brock Bowers back in the fold.

“He’s been great,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. “He’s done everything we’ve asked. He ran on Friday, did a good workout. Had Saturday off, obviously, and continues to work. He’s going to do all he can to try to get back as fast as he can.”

Georgia (9-0) would love to have Bowers available this week, but he’s not expected to be cleared medically from ankle surgery. The operation, known as tight-rope surgery, was performed Oct. 16 with an expected recovery window of 4-6 weeks.

Bowers’ impact remains evident in that he’s still among the leaders in the FBS at his position with 41 receptions for 570 yards.

The Bulldogs are working through other injuries to other critical players, including linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson. He fractured his forearm in the win over Missouri.

“Still not sure how long it’ll be, how long his absence will be,” Smart said Monday. “He’s going to try to find some innovative ways to get back and be able to play, but won’t know the extent of that until a couple more days.”

Smart said four players have logged snaps at Dumas-Johnson’s linebacker position in every game this season, which takes some of the heat off.

The game will be the first matchup between Smart and Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss’ coach who served as offensive coordinator at Alabama when Smart ran the defense in 2014 and 2015. The Rebels were ranked No. 10 in the latest AP Top 25 poll.

“He does a great job,” Smart said of Kiffin. “He’s extremely intelligent. He doesn’t overthink things. He keeps it simple and doesn’t think that you, you don’t have to overthink things sometimes as a coach. Probably doesn’t get enough credit for that because he wants to beat you with fundamentals. He wants to beat you with his players doing things within their system. It’s just, he does a great job. He looks for matchups, he looks for explosive opportunities.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 14, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers (19) walks off the field after an injury during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia TE Brock Bowers undergoes ankle surgery, out 4-6 weeks

Georgia All-American tight end Brock Bowers underwent left ankle surgery and is expected to be sidelined 4-6 weeks.

Bowers injured his ankle on a designed running play in the Bulldogs’ victory over Vanderbilt on Saturday. Georgia is entering a bye week and returns to face Florida in Jacksonville on Oct. 28.

Full medical clearance might be only one factor for Bowers to consider when deciding when to return to the field. He’s widely expected to be a top 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Bowers is one of several current and former Georgia players who have opted for “tightrope” surgery following a sprained ankle. Tight end Lawson Luckie was hurt in August, underwent surgery and returned to play earlier this month.

Bowers leads the team with 41 receptions, 567 receiving yards and four TD grabs.

–Field Level Media