Day three of the NFL Draft saw Arian Smith become the first of what’s expected to be several former Georgia players selected.
The New York Jets chose the wide receiver with the eighth pick in the fourth round Saturday afternoon.
Trevor Etienne heads to Carolina
It’s already been a busy draft for the Bulldogs.
On Thursday, Mykel Williams became the first Georgia player selected when the San Francisco 49ers took the defensive end with the 11th overall pick.
He was followed four picks later by Jalon Walker, who became the first Bulldog to ever be taken by the home-state Atlanta Falcons in the first two rounds since the franchise came into existence in 1966.
Later, safety Malaki Starks became Georgia’s third first-round selection when the Baltimore Ravens took the Jefferson native with the 27th pick.
On Friday, guard Tate Ratledge went to Detroit before offensive line teammate Dylan Fairchild surprised most of the experts by going to Cincinnati in the third round. Center Jared Wilson later went to New England in the third round.
WR Arian Smith (Round 4; New York Jets): Appeared in all 14 games, starting nine times…caught five passes for 56 yards, including a 32-yard reception in season-opening victory in the Aflac Kickoff Game vs. Clemson…caught four passes for 73 yards, including a 50-yard touchdown to lead the Bulldogs in receiving in win over Tennessee Tech…led the Bulldogs in receiving yards for the second time in four games at Alabama, catching six passes for a then-career-high 132 yards and a touchdown…hauled in a 47-yard grab against the Crimson Tide…caught five passes for a career-high 134 yards and a 42-yard receiving touchdown against Mississippi State… had five receptions for 41 yards to lead the team in receiving in SEC Championship victory over Texas…caught a 67-yard pass from Gunner Stockton in the Allstate Sugar Bowl vs. Notre Dame, leading the Bulldogs in receiving in the CFP Quarterfinal game.
RB Trevor Etienne (Round 4, Carolina Panthers). Coaches All-SEC Third Team honoree…Started all nine games in which he has appeared… made his Bulldog debut in home opener vs. Tennessee Tech, rushing five times for 78 yards, including a long run of 45 yards… led the Bulldogs in rushing for the second-straight week, tallying 79 yards on 19 attempts in conference-opening win at Kentucky…led the Bulldogs in rushing yards for the third-straight game at Alabama, tallying 55 yards and one touchdown on 12 carries…led the Bulldogs in rushing with 88 yards and two touchdowns on 16 attempts in win over Auburn…tallied 19 carries for 87 yards and a season-high three touchdowns at Texas, adding three catches for 23 yards…missed final three regular season games due to injury…rushed 16 times for a team-high 94 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning score in overtime, to defeat Texas in the SEC Championship in his return from injury.
