Georgia’s NFL pipeline is already looking loaded again, and the headliner this time is linebacker Chris Cole.
The Bulldogs have three of the top prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft, and Cole is the one drawing the loudest buzz. ESPN’s Jordan Reid has him ranked as the sixth-best player in the draft class, while Mel Kiper Jr. slots him No. 8 overall on his updated “Big Board” projections.
Kiper’s evaluation makes the appeal pretty clear: “Cole is all over the field every Saturday. He’s 235 pounds but looks like a safety at the second level.
Cole is quick to diagnose thanks to his football IQ and then flies to the ball, especially in lateral pursuit. He is going to be a combine standout with that tremendous speed.”
That kind of range is exactly why Cole carries so much value. He can line up inside or outside, handle the run, and also get after the quarterback off the edge.
Georgia doesn’t have another player in Kiper’s Top 25 Big Board, but the Bulldogs still show up well on his positional lists. Nate Frazier is No. 4 among tailbacks, Ellis Robinson IV is fourth among cornerbacks, and KJ Bolden is second among safeties.
Reid’s board is a little kinder to Georgia overall. He has Cole as his sixth-rated player, though his notes come with some caution attached.
“Cole is an easy moving, urgent defender from the second level, (and) he has excellent lateral agility and pursuit speed to close on ball carriers in a hurry,” Reid writes.
“But his ability to read and react to run concepts is still a work in progress, as his eyes can get fixated in the wrong spots. And he can be slow at recognizing concepts in zone coverage, leading to easy catches in his area.”
Reid is also high on Robinson, calling him “an ultra-athletic cornerback whose quick feet and sudden change of direction helps him stay connected in man coverage.” He also pointed out the rough edges: “But there are times when Robinson gives up big gains because his technique tends to be abandoned. His best reps come in zone coverage, where he has a great feel for concepts unfolding.
“Robinson has excellent awareness with attacking the ball in flight, and he has a linebacker-like appetite for contact in run support.”
Bolden is Reid’s top safety and the No. 31 player overall. Reid also lists Frazier as his No. 5 tailback and Peyton Woodring as his No. 3 kicker.
Beyond the names already showing up on those boards, Reid and Kiper also left room for more Georgia players to climb into the second day of the 2027 NFL Draft. That group includes QB Gunner Stockton, LB Raylen Wilson, OT Earnest Greene lll and OC Drew Bobo.
In Other News...
Why Missouri Poses A Real Threat To Georgia Again
Missouri keeps showing up as a tricky matchup because the Tigers do not lean on just one way to move the ball. They want to run it, but most of their yardage still comes through the air, which makes them harder to pin down than a team built around one clear identity. Add in a track record that has been respectable against ranked opponents, and Georgia is looking at a test that is more layered than a simple strength-on-strength collision.
The concern for the Bulldogs is that Missouri can also create extra possessions on defense, thanks to a strong turnover margin, while still finding enough playmakers to keep pressure on a game. Senior wide receiver Caydn Lee and quarterback Austin Simmons have both been central to that formula, with Simmons in particular giving the Tigers a passing element that can swing a contest if Georgia loses focus. The one area that still leaves questions is how often Missouri can finish drives when it gets close, and that could end up being the hinge point again. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Suddenly Faces O-Line Uncertainty Ahead Of Missouri
Georgias offensive line suddenly has a little more uncertainty heading into Missouri after center Drew Bobo was added to the availability report as questionable. Bobo has started every game this season, so his status matters not just for the middle of the line, but for the continuity Georgia has leaned on all year. If he cant go, the Bulldogs would likely turn to Cortez Smith or Malachi Toliver at center.
Amaris Williams is also listed as out, adding another absence to monitor as Georgia gets ready for a game that could demand clean execution up front. Any change at center can ripple through protection calls and run-game timing, and the Bulldogs will be watching closely to see whether Bobo can answer the bell before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
Why Mark Matthews Chose Georgia Is What Fans Will Love
Mark Matthews flip from Texas A&M to Georgia gave the Bulldogs another headline addition in a class already drawing plenty of attention, and it came with a twist that will resonate in Athens. The five-star offensive tackle is considered the No. 2 overall player in the country, and his decision adds more proof that Georgias recruiting pitch is still landing with elite prospects even when the market around them is crowded and aggressive.
What makes this move stand out is the way it reflects Georgias broader approach. The Bulldogs have built a reputation for pairing player development, championship expectations and a clear plan for the future, and Matthews reportedly chose that package even though other schools were offering more on the NIL front. For Georgia fans, that is the part worth savoring, because it suggests the programs appeal still reaches beyond the checkbook. [Read more 🡒]