Bulldogs Bowers, Mims are first round draft choices

Two Georgia Bulldogs were chosen in last night’s first round of the NFL Draft in Detroit: tight end Brock Bowers was the 13th pick, taken by the Las Vegas Raiders, while offensive lineman Amarius Mims was chosen 18th overall by the Cincinnati Bengals. The Draft continues tonight and wraps up tomorrow, with more Bulldogs expected to be taken.

From Jake Stanley, UGA Sports Communications…

With the selections of tight end Brock Bowers and offensive lineman Amarius Mims, the University of Georgia football program extended its streak of seven consecutive years with a first-round pick in the NFL Draft Thursday evening.

Bowers was selected 13th overall by the Las Vegas Raiders, followed by Mims going 18th overall to the Cincinnati Bengals. Bowers was the first Georgia tight end selected in the first round since Ben Watson went 32nd overall to the New England Patriots in 2004. Mims became the fifth Georgia offensive lineman drafted in the Kirby Smart era, following up Broderick Jones (14th overall – Pittsburgh Steelers) last season.

The Bulldogs have produced 10 first round selections over the past three seasons, as well as two first round picks for the 12th time in program history.

In three seasons, Bowers compiled one of the greatest careers in Georgia history, becoming only the third Bulldog to earn three First Team All-America honors (Herschel Walker, David Pollack). The Napa, California native appeared in 40 games, tallying 175 receptions for 2,538 yards receiving and 26 touchdowns, along with rushing for 193 yards and five touchdowns. In his 2023 junior season, Bowers led the Bulldogs with 56 receptions for 714 yards, ranking second nationally among tight ends and becoming the first tight end to win consecutive John Mackey Awards. He also led the team in 2022 with 942 yards receiving, capping off the year with 152 in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game against TCU as the Bulldogs secured back-to-back national titles.

Bowers was only the fifth Georgia player ever chosen by the Raiders, but the third straight picked after former teammates Christopher Smith in 2023 and Zamir White in 2022. Bowers’ selection continued Georgia’s nation-leading streak of six straight seasons with a tight end drafted, following Isaac Nauta, Charlie Woerner, Tre McKitty, John Fitzpatrick, and Darnell Washington.

Mims appeared in 29 contests over three seasons in Athens, including six starts at right tackle last season. The Cochran native helped the Joe Moore Award-nominated offensive line rank first in the SEC and seventh nationally in sacks allowed (0.93), while helping the Bulldog offensive attack finish fifth nationally in total offense (496.5 yards per game), passing efficiency (168.21) and scoring offense (40.1 points per game). After serving in a reserve role over his first 22 games, he moved into the starting lineup for both of Georgia’s 2022 CFP games, helping the Bulldogs come back to defeat Ohio State in the Peach Bowl before putting up 65 points in the CFP Championship against TCU.

Mims was the 15th Georgia product selected by the Bengals and first since Trey Hill went in the sixth round in 2021.

The NFL Draft continues Friday in Detroit with rounds 2-3 starting at 7 p.m., followed by the final four rounds beginning Saturday at noon.

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