Jordan Davis... Jalen Carter... Nolan Smith... Nakobe Dean... Kelee Ringo... Lewis Cine... These aren’t just names on the Philadelphia Eagles roster. They’re the backbone of a growing Georgia pipeline whose veins run through the City of Brotherly Love.
From the looks of things, it doesn’t look like that will slow down anytime soon. The 2025 NFL Draft approaches in April. The list of Georgia-to-Philly connections could grow even longer.
It's already proven that the program offers the NFL great players whose skill sets translate to the professional level, so why stop now?
If you agree with that theory, you'll be thrilled to learn who Eagles scouts met with during the Senior Bowl.
Top 100 prospect Smael Mondon Jr. talks about a possible reunion with former Georgia teammates on the Eagles roster.
For the Eagles, the emergence of Zack Baun could mean that his play has taken the front office out of contention for investing early draft capital on a linebacker. His potential next contract extension will need to be drawn up this coming off-season which could be one Philadelphia isn't willing to pay.
With the recent injury of linebacker Nakobe Dean and a lack of strong depth at the position, linebacker could be seen as a need in the draft. One potential solution is Georgia senior linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. He had a stellar first day at the Reese's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
7 STANDOUTS During Senior Bowl Day One (American Roster):
— Patriot RedZone (@PatriotRedZone) January 28, 2025
S Billy Bowman Jr. (Oklahoma)
CB Brandon Adams (UCF)
DL Deone Walker (Kentucky)
LB Smael Mondon Jr. (Georgia)
WR Tai Felton (Maryland)
RB Brashard Smith (SMU)
OT Jonah Savaiinaea (Arizona)
WR Jack Bech (TCU)
Mondon is a projected day two pick in the upcoming NFL Draft and he's ranked the 95th best player, according to NFL Draft Buzz. Not only does he fill a need, but he fits the fits the description, too. He's also part of the Georgia pipeline that Philly loves to raid.
Kirby Smart and the Georgia staff developed Mondon and put him on the fast track to the NFL. That meant the world to him as evidenced by this next statement.
"[Georgia] means everything to me. I have the G [Georgia Logo] tatted on my arm," Mondon said Tuesday afternoon. "It's my home, home state, I went to school there -- I have love for Georgia always."
The former All-SEC selection was in Athens for four seasons, where he won two National Championships alongside some of the current Eagles players who are also Georgia alumni. He says that he would be open to a reunion:
"It would mean everything," Mondon said, "Going in there and seeing all of those familiar faces, it would feel good." On Wednesday morning, Mondon confirmed with Inside The Iggles that he has indeed spoken to Eagles scouts.
The Georgia native stays in contact with some of the former players today, so to be drafted to Philadelphia wouldn't require much of a transition for him. As for his chemistry with the defense when he returns from injury, it would already be pre-existent:
"I was talking to Nakobe [Dean] the other day," Mondon said. "I still stay close with all of them -- Kelee, Nolan [Smith], I talk to them often.
The former five-star recruit excelled at Georgia in his four seasons and projects to bring a three-down linebacker build, who can cover both sidelines with efficiency and drop into coverage when he needs to. The Eagles drafted three players out of Georgia in 2023 -- don't rule out another former Bulldog being selected and added to the list.