ATHENS — Georgia guard Solomon Kindley became the third member of the Bulldogs so-called “Great Wall” offensive line selected in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The Miami Dolphins made Kindley a fourth-round pick with the 111th-overall pick in the draft on Saturday.
Former UGA offensive tackles Andrew Thomas and Isaiah Wilson were taken in the first round. Thomas went to the New York Giants (No. 4 overall), and Wilson is now with the Tennessee Titans (No. 29 overall).
Kindley, a 6-foot-3, 336-pounder, has the talent, size and power to be an immediate contributor for a rebuilding Miami offense.
“The best thing he does is anchor in pass protection,” ESPN analyst Daniel Jeremiah said on Saturday. “You can’t get through him.”
The Dolphins surely took note of Kindley’s film from his redshirt sophomore season in 2018, as he was much healthier and arguably better that year than last season.
Kindley suffered an ankle injury the fourth game of last season and missed the next three starts.
When Kindley returned, he was less than 100 percent, but he explained why he didn’t have a choice but to play even while hurt.
“I never got to 100 percent, but it’s just me personally. that Dawg in me wants to be out there with my teammates,” Kindley told DawgNation on Thursday. “I would sacrifice anything for my team, and I wanted to play for three straight SEC championships.”
The Bulldogs did just that, falling to eventual-national champion LSU before beating Baylor in a Top 10 matchup at the Sugar Bowl, 26-14.
Kindley, unlike Wilson and Thomas, opted to play in the Sugar Bowl rather than take time off to prepare for the NFL draft.
“It’s just my grit and my anger inside my body,, I couldn’t sit on the sideline and watch my brothers hurt and grind,” Kindley explained. “I went to treatment every day and played through it and tried to get better.”
DawgNation 2020 NFL Draft stories
3 things about Georgia football OG Solomon Kindley entering 2020 NFL Draft
3 things about Georgia football QB Jake Fromm entering 2020 NFL Draft
Rodrigo Blankenship, what to know about the kicker entering 2020 NFL Draft
What to know about Georgia safety J.R. Reed entering 2020 NFL Draft
New York Giants select Andrew Thomas with No. 4 pick in 2020 NFL Draft
Cover 4 Live Debating best moments for UGA 2020 NFL Draft hopefuls
Georgia football could have record 2020 NFL Draft class on tap
