ATHENS — Eric Stokes, one of Georgia’s greatest success stories, is looking to regain a starting spot on the Green Bay Packers’ defense this fall.
Stokes, a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft after running a 4.25-second time in the 40-yard dash, had a standout practice last week to serve notice he’s over the hamstring injury that limited him to three games last season.
“My foot wasn’t as strong as it needed to be, so it put pressure on my hamstring and my calf …. ‚” Stokes explained in a recent Packers Wire story. “I feel like I’m faster than before …. this is the best I’ve felt since coming out (of the 2021 NFL Draft).”
Stokes, once the lowest-rated player in UGA’s 2017 signing class, redshirted his first season in Athens before breaking into the starting lineup in 2018.
From there, Stokes’ star has been on the rise, even as he has maintained his modesty.
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“I had a great little day, I’ll say that,” Stokes said after picking off two passes in a recent Green Bay practice. " It feels good, a lot of preparation and stuff I had studied the night before.”
The Packers’ defense will have a familiar look for Georgia football fans this season with Stokes’ returning to action to play alongside fellow former Bulldogs Devonte Wyatt, Quay Walker and incoming rookie safety Javon Bullard.
The players share a similar mindset, to the extent Stokes repeated a popular Kirby Smart saying during his post-practice interview.
“Oh man just keep getting 1 percent better,” Stokes said, “that’s what this whole defense is about.”
Stokes’ first goal ia to beat out Carrington Valentine for a starting spot, and then beyond that, appear in every game this season for the Packers.
“Just not miss a game, that’s my biggest thing, being out there healthy,” Stokes said. “I know what I can do when I’m healthy, so being out there is the most important thing for me.”
Stokes indicated an improved offseason training regimen — thanks to a visit with University of Wisconsin medical staff — has led to him being in position to have his best NFL season yet.
“There was a lot of stuff that went into this offseason, a lot of things I had to learn,” Stokes said. “That’s what this is about a learning curve, how to actually train this offseason. There was a lot of things I’ve done in the past that wasn’t up to par with what it should be …
“I started going early in the mornings and then in the afternoons, I was running at like 2 or 3 (when) it’s like 90-something in Atlanta, Georgia,” he said. “So there were a lot of things I was doing to get my body better.”
More stories on former Georgia players in the NFL
• Nick Chubb working to make another comeback from another knee injury
• Train wreckers Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis are double trouble in Philadelphia
• Zamir White on verge of break-out season with Las Vegas Raiders
