UGA’s Bowers, projected top-10 pick, set for draft

• Mark Schlabach, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterJan 2, 2024

  , 08:54 PM ET Close Senior college football writer

• Author of 7 books on college football
• Graduate of the University of Georgia

Georgia junior Brock Bowers, the very first two-time winner of the Mackey Award as the leading tight end in college football, revealed Tuesday that he’s going into the NFL draft.Bowers, a local of Napa, California, is ranked as the No. 5 prospect available for the 2024 NFL draft by ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.; ESPN analyst Jordan Reid ranks him as the No. 8 available prospect.

“Dawg Country, words can not explain how happy I am for what these last 3 years [have] brought,” Bowers wrote on Instagram. “It has actually been an incredible honor and advantage to play for this university. It has offered me memories that will last a life time. Initially, I wish to thank my household for always existing to support me through my journey. Specifically my mom and dad for making countless journeys across the nation.”

Bowers was a three-time All-SEC and All-American selection after making an instant impact with the Bulldogs as a freshman in 2021. He had 56 receptions for 882 yards and 13 touchdowns, helping the Bulldogs win their very first national championship in 41 years.Editor’s Picks 2 Related As a sophomore

, Bowers had 63

catches for 942 lawns with 7 touchdowns, as the Bulldogs went 15-0 and won their second consecutive CFP nationwide championship.This past season, Bowers had TightRope surgery on his left ankle on Oct. 15

and missed out on three games and parts of others. He still managed to haul in 56 catches for 714 backyards with 6 ratings. His 494 receiving backyards after contact led all FBS tight ends this previous season.Bowers, 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, was limited in Georgia’s 27-24 loss to Alabama in the SEC championship game and didn’t play in its 63-3 thrashing of Florida State in the Capital One Orange Bowl on Saturday since of lingering effects of the ankle injury.”His legacy is he’s a significant professional athlete, fantastic toughness,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart stated of Bowers last week.”I’ve never seen a kid return from that injury like that. He type of changed the culture and the work principles around our offense. The way he has actually practiced is incredible, he’s been a machine. The basic he set there will affect our roster for a long period of time.” Since of Bowers ‘versatility, obstructing and ability to run after the catch, he is expected to be among the highest-selected tight ends in NFL draft history. The Atlanta Falcons took Florida’s Kyle Pitts with the 4th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, making him the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history.