ATHENS — Georgia coach Kirby Smart looked over the practice field in the Bulldogs’ indoor practice facility watching the greatest collection of talent the program has ever assembled into one class.
The SEC Network was on hand to broadcast the event, which featured a handful of Georgia players testing out in NFL combine events and most of the Bulldogs taking part in field drills.
“Wish I had some coming back and they could come back and play for us again,” Smart said, drawing chuckles from the assembled media. “I’m excited for them today.”
No doubt, Georgia set a school record with 14 players attending the NFL Combine in Indianapolis earlier this month and will surely set a new school mark with more than nine players drafted — perhaps as many as 15.
The NFL has obviously taken note, to the extent that yet another team record was set by the College Football Playoff champions.
“We broke our own (team) record of 122 NFL personnel here today,” Smart said. " We have about five or six head coaches, more than we’ve ever had.”
The NFL head coaches, GMs and coordinators in attendance:
• New England head coach Bill Belichick
• Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin
• Dallas coach Mike McCarthy
• Houston coach Lovie Smith
• N.Y. Giants GM Joe Schoen
• Pittsburgh GM Kevin Colbert
• Dallas DC Dan Quinn
• Philadelphia DC Jonathan Gannon
Luckily, we have a new team meeting room that we’re able to house these guys in.”
The new $80 million Georgia football building paid dividends in the teams championships season and even now as the Bulldogs intend to maintain a perch atop college football.
The proof is in the product, and the NFL coaches seem convinced.
GA has four players projected to be selected in the first round, all of them off last year’s historically dominant defense: Jordan Davis, Devonte Wyatt, Travon Walker and Nakobe Dean.
Dean did not perform in NFL combine events in Indianapolis or at the Pro Day on Wednesday because of a strained pectoral muscle, Smart said.
The coaches, however, look for much more than what they see on film.
“They’ve been very complimentary of our kids and the leadership of our kids and their knowledge,” Smart said. “Several head coaches were here last night and watched tape with our players, and went through each one by one, and they were really impressed with their football knowledge.”
For all the coaching, facilities and developmental tools Georgia has on hand, Smart directed the credit back to his players.
“The credit goes to these kids,” Smart said. “Our job is to develop them and make sure they are better people.
“But they will tell you they are more successful because of the work ethic they achieved here,” he said. “It’s unique to have this collection of talent. It’s not every year you’re going to have 14 guys at the NFL Combine.”
