ATHENS — It might seem hard to be live a 6-foot-3, 336-pound man could be overlooked under any set of circumstances, but that’s exactly what has happened with Georgia offensive guard Solomon Kindley.
All the 2020 NFL Draft talk involving the Bulldogs has started with offensive tackle Andrew Thomas before including Jake Fromm, D’Andre Swift and offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson.
But Kindley, who will likely be the third UGA offensive lineman taken, should not be under appreciated.
The USA Today rated Kindley as the top interior offensive lineman, while CBS ranked him at the No. 125 player overall, which would project him to be taken in the fourth round.
Here are three things to know about Kindley, who appears earmarked for a long, prosperous NFL career:
Injury-plagued season
Kindley was not at his best most of his junior season, and that’s probably why his projected draft stock is lower than many feel it should be.
Kindley suffered an ankle injury the fourth game of the season against Notre Dame and missed the next three starts. He was never quite the same after that, gaining weight and losing some of the athleticism that can make him so special in the NFL.
A different shaped Kindley showed up at the combine, though his decision not to run may come back to bite him as UGA’s Pro Day was canceled along with many others on account of the coronavirus.
Falcons interested
Kindley would be an immediate fan favorite in Atlanta, and the Falcons were among the teams that showed early interest.
“They say they like how I play, love how I play,” Kindley said. “They say I’m a mauler, they love my game.”
Other teams Kindley talked to in Indianapolis that could call his name before the end of the third round on Friday night: Green Bay, Seattle, Arizona, Carolina, Los Angeles Rams, New York Giants and Jacksonville.
Team player
Kindley was a team captain for Georgia’s wins over Vanderbilt, Missouri and Texas A&M.
A three-star product coming out of Raines High School, Kindley redshirted the 2016 season before earning seven starts at right guard his redshirt freshman season.
Kindley took over the left guard spot in 2018, starting all 14 games at left guard and being named one of three winners of the Bulldogs’ Most Improved Offensive Player Award at Georgia’s postseason gala.
Solomon Kindley at 2020 NFL Combine
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