By Blake McQueary
Medill Reports
NEW ORLEANS — Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman was handed the corded phone on draft day in 2023. Linebacker Nolan Smith Jr., a Georgia Bulldog, waited on the other end. Roseman, a University of Florida graduate, was conflicted.
As the moment was captured on video, Roseman said to Smith, “I’m a Florida Gator. Do you know how much it hurts my soul to take all these (expletive) Georgia Bulldogs?”
Smith, laughing, replied: “But you wanna win though. You wanna win.”
That night, three of the Eagles’ seven total draft picks were Georgia Bulldogs: Smith, defensive tackle Jalen Carter and defensive back Kelee Ringo. Shades from the Eagles’ 2022 draft selections that included two more Bulldogs: defensive tackle Jordan Davis and linebacker Nakobe Dean.
The Eagles acquired safety Lewis Cine, a former Bulldog, on Jan. 8.
With six players from Georgia – all on defense – it’s the most players from one college team on the same side of the ball on a Super Bowl roster ever.
All six played together at Georgia in 2021 and won a national championship. Smith, Carter and Ringo secured their second national championship in 2022. Now, entering their second and third seasons with the Eagles, they all have a chance to win a Super Bowl together.
“It’s a great opportunity to be able to share your dreams with your brothers,” Ringo said. “We dreamed of this moment. Winning in college and now being at the Super Bowl at the highest level, I’m blessed.”
As big contributors to a disciplined and synchronized Eagles defense, the products from the Bulldogs have been a recipe for success.
“Them Georgia boys are different,” Eagles safety Reed Blankenship said. “I would hate to play against them all together in their prime.”
Only five of the Bulldogs will be available for the Eagles, as Dean tore the patellar tendon in his left knee against the Packers in the wild-card round. He was placed on injured reserve and will miss the Super Bowl.
During the regular season, Dean totaled 128 tackles (the second-most on the team), three sacks, one interception (which sealed a close one against Jacksonville) and four pass deflections.
Smith burst onto the scene this year in Philadelphia. He’s been a difference-maker under Vic Fangio’s defense, totaling 42 total tackles, six and a half sacks, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
Through three playoff games, Smith has 16 tackles and four sacks. It’s the most defensive sacks by an Eagles player in one playoff run.
Coach Nick Sirianni gave Smith a game ball for his performance against the Packers.
“I (expletive) love this guy because he plays so (expletive) hard,” Sirianni told the team. “He is just a nasty, violent football player.”
Carter and Davis both have thrived for the Eagles’ physical defensive front. Carter has racked up 42 tackles, four and a half sacks and 12 tackles for loss. Lined up right next to him, Davis has totaled 27 tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack.
Although Ringo’s numbers might not protrude from the bunch, he’s contributed to a talented secondary room. Playing in every game this season, Ringo logged 15 tackles, one pass deflection, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
The Eagles rank first in total defense, first in passing defense, 10th in rushing defense and second in scoring defense. They are first in forced turnovers while being tied at second for total sacks. It’s the first time since the 1991 season the Eagles have ranked first in total defense.
Smith, a two-time national champion and now competing in the Super Bowl, said he knows the capabilities of playing together with the stakes on the line.
“We are used to playing in big games, and we try to make big things happen,” Smith said. “I couldn’t do it without the greatness of others. Being with those guys, it’s most definitely fun.”
Sirianni spoke about the tight relationship between the group and how it translates onto the field.
“When you have a relationship with the guys and the guys have a relationship with each other, they’ll go a little bit harder because they got a little more on the line,” Sirianni said. “They don’t want to let each other down, and I think that’s a big part of it.”
Entering Super Bowl LIX, Georgia will have a player in the big game for the 24th year in a row, tied with LSU for the longest active streak of any college football program.
“It definitely feels like home, just being able to trust your brothers,” Ringo said. “We’ve watched each other grow for five-plus years now. … We just continue to grow with each other.”
Blake McQueary is a sports media graduate student at Medill. You can follow him on X at b_mcqueary6.
