Georgia
Comparing Mark Richt’s NFL Georgia stars since 2006 to Kirby Smart’s
ATHENS — Georgia football has been churning out elite NFL players for decades, and the past 10 years have been no different under the direction of Coach Kirby Smart.
The Bulldogs have produced 84 NFL Draft picks under Smart, including an eye-popping 21 first-round selections.
Georgia was churning out NFL Draft picks before Smart took over following the 2015 season, too, with College Football Hall of Fame coach Mark Richt recruiting and developing some of the best players in the nation.
Richt’s tenure (2001-2015) is understandably more heavily represented than Smart’s in a recent Pro Football Focus (PFF) feature on each NFL franchise’s best players over the past 20 years.
Richt-coached players from Georgia have had more time to make an impact in the NFL than Smart’s, many of whom are just beginning to reach elite levels in the pro ranks.
One thing for certain, Smart’s NFL players are curreently drawing bigger paychecks than those who played for Richt, with the exception of all-time NFL earner Matthew Stafford.
Here’s a look at former Georgia players that PFF has selected from among the best with the years they played with each team:, including two former UGA stars who are regarded as the best at their position for two different teams in the past 20 years:
(players recruited by Richt in boldface type)
QB Matthew Stafford (2009-2020), Detroit
QB Matthew Stafford (2021-2025), L.A. Rams
SLB Leonard Floyd (2016-2019), Chicago
SLB Leonard Floyd (2020-2022), LA. Rams
LT Andrew Thomas (2020-2025), N.Y. Giants
DL Jalen Carter (2023-2025), Philadelphia
C David Andrews (2015-2024), New England
WR A.J. Green (2011-2020), Cincinnati
DL Gino Atkins (2010-2020), Cincinnati
RB Nick Chubb (2018-2024), Cleveland
CB Champ Bailey (2006-2013), Denver
DL Richard Seymour (2009-2012), Las Vegas
DE Justin Houston (2011-2018), Kansas City
DE Charles Johnson (2007-2017), Carolina
LB Thomas Davis Sr. (2006-2016), Carolina
There’s no doubt that in time many of Smart’s players will ascend to such heights, as their experiences and contributions in the NFL grow.
Las Vegas tight end Brock Bowers, just two years into NFL play, serves as perhaps the best example of a Georgia player recruited and coached by Smart who might soon be considered the best tight end in his franchise’s history.
Jordan Davis, a former first-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles, is another player who could become the best at his position with the franchise.
Buffalo’s James Cook led the NFL in rushing last season, and linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker are now in Las Vegas and emerging.
Indeed, the majority of Smart’s NFL draft picks have come over the past six years, with 63 Bulldogs selected:
• 2021 -9 draft picks
First round: Eric Stokes (29th)
• 2022 -15 draft picks*
First Round: Travon Walker (1st); Jordan Davis (13th); Quay Walker (22nd); Devonte Wyatt (28th); Lewis Cine (32nd)
• 2023 – 10 draft picks
First Round: Jalen Carter (9th); Broderick Jones (14th); Nolan Smith (30th)
• 2024 – 8 draft picks
First Round: Brock Bowers (13th); Amarius Mims (18th)
• 2025 -13 draft picks
First Round: Mykel Williams (11th); Jalon Walker (15th); Malaki Starks (27th)
• 2026 – 8 draft picks
First Round: Monroe Freeling (19th)
*- NFL record number of picks from one collegiate team in a draft
FBI Atlanta executes search warrants at Wellmade Industries in Bartow County on March 26, 2025 (Credit: FBI Atlanta, X)
ATLANTA – The FBI has asked field offices across the country to assign more than 200 employees to help with its investigation into the handling of the 2020 election in Georgia’s Fulton County, according to an internal memo obtained by The Associated Press.
The memo directs the agency to “surge” 260 investigative analysts and staff operations specialists to the effort, describing it as a “priority investigation.” It instructs each employee to review about 708 records by July 17.
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While the memo does not specify the investigation, people familiar with the matter confirmed to the AP that the additional personnel are being assigned to the ongoing investigation involving Georgia’s 2020 election. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss internal FBI operations.
Investigation continues
The backstory:
In January, FBI agents seized hundreds of boxes containing ballots and other election-related records from Fulton County, Georgia’s most populous county and home to most of the city of Atlanta.
A spokesperson for Fulton County declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation.
The Justice Department has previously said it is investigating “irregularities that occurred during the 2020 presidential election” in Fulton County.
What they’re saying:
President Donald Trump and his allies have repeatedly claimed fraud affected the outcome of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. Courts and election officials found no evidence of widespread fraud that would have changed the results.
Georgia’s presidential ballots were counted three times, including a full hand recount, with each count confirming Democrat Joe Biden’s victory in the state.
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As we approach the nation’s 250th birthday, the weather looks to cooperate for the most part. However, there is one thing that will be certain, it will be hot.
For most of the day, skies look to be partly cloudy with a small chance to see some pop-up showers or storms. If they are to appear, they will likely be short lived. The chance for rain will also dwindle as the sun goes down.
The big story will be the heat.
Butts, Jasper, Putnam, and Hancock counties are under a Heat Advisory until July 4th at 8 PM.
This means that heat index values could reach 105 degrees or above.
Even if you’re not included in a Heat Advisory, it will be hot.
FEELS LIKE TEMPERATURE FORECAST 10 AM
The heat index values, or the feels like temperatures, around 10 AM are forecasted to already be in the low 90’s.
FEELS LIKE TEMPERATURE FORECAST 4 PM
By the time we make it to the peak heating of the day, the feels like temperatures are forecasted to be in the low 100’s.
FEELS LIKE TEMPERATURE FORECAST 9 PM
When it’s time to shoot off fireworks, it’s forecasted to still feel like the low 90’s to the upper 80’s.
HEAT RISK FOR MIDDLE GEORGIA
Most of Middle Georgia is under a major risk for heat risks on Saturday. This means that you should take plenty of breaks and drink plenty of water. Also make sure to listen to your body.
If you plan on traveling up to Atlanta, they will be an even higher risk, an extreme risk.
Overall, it will be a very hot day with a small chance to see some rain and storms.
AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Georgia Department of Driver Services urges residents to add an emergency contact to their driver’s license record, saying the update takes two minutes and costs nothing.
The agency said the information becomes immediately accessible to police and medical teams through their systems—a critical advantage if a driver is unconscious, or if their phone is locked or broken following a crash.
No new physical license is required, officials said. Drivers can complete the update online through the DDS website at no charge. Visit the website here for more details.
Officials said the update is especially important for people with medical conditions or memory loss who may not be able to communicate during an emergency.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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