The NFL’s Mr. Irrelevant 2020? That honor goes to Georgia linebacker

Mr. Irrelevant is a Georgia Bulldog.

Georgia linebacker Tae Crowder was drafted No. 255 on Saturday in the NFL Draft’s seventh round and is this year’s Mr. Irrelevant — the honor given to the draft’s final pick each year. Crowder is Georgia’s first “Mr. Irrelevant” since defensive tackle Donald Chumley in 1985.

Mr. Irrelevant, along with family and guests, are typically celebrated during Irrelevant Week in California, which includes a parade and a trip to Disneyland, among other things. It wasn’t immediately known how or when Crowder would be honored given the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Crowder’s selection Saturday finished off a run of seven Georgia players selected in the draft. He was the only defensive player chosen on a unit that ranked No. 1 in defense in 2019. The former Georgia linebacker who was a Butkus Award finalist.

Crowder capped off his college career with 62 tackles and the infamous touchdown return against Tennessee. The undersized running back-turned-linebacker who made a last-minute switch to play football at Georgia has a story that’s anything but irrelevant. Crowder’s past has powered him to the point of seeing hope of playing at the professional level.

Crowder came to Georgia and sat on the bench for a while. There were no spots — offensively or defensively — behind a stable of running backs and former first-round draftee (and close friend of Crowder). He stuck with the program through a redshirt season, then got two seasons to become accustomed to the linebacker position and be a leader at the position as a senior.

Crowder hails from the small town of Pine Mountain Ga., and played at Harris County High School as a longtime verbal commitment to Georgia Southern. His long journey, one that makes his former head coach Kirby Smart laugh (because no one can picture Crowder at running back), ended by heading to the Big Apple to play professionally.

New York chose two Georgia players in the 2020 draft, the other being first-round selection Andrew Thomas. Crowder and Thomas join a group of Georgia players already with the Giants, which includes Lorenzo Carter and Deandre Baker.

There were six other Bulldogs chosen in the draft, and more are set to sign free-agent contracts.

Here’s a look at Saturday’s additions.

Miami drafts Solomon Kindley

Solomon Kindley received a call to stay in his home state as the Miami Dolphins selected the 337-pound offensive guard in the fourth-round selection (No. 111 overall). A few years ago, Kindley was an under-the-radar three-star prospect out of Jacksonville, Fla.

Kindley decided to declare for the draft as a junior, in a bit of a surprising move. But he became the fourth Bulldog taken in the draft, ahead of former Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm. Miami traded up in the fourth round to select Kindley, after considering the selection of Andrew Thomas (a New York Giants draftee with the fourth-overall pick) in the first round.

Former offensive line coach Sam Pittman now has three of his recruits selected in the NFL draft. His others, Thomas and Tennessee Titans draftee Isaiah Wilson, went in the first round.

Colts draft QB Jacob Eason

The transfer went well before Georgia’s three year-starter.

Former Bulldog and Washington quarterback Jacob Eason didn’t have to wait too long to hear his name called once the action began Sunday. Eason was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round (No. 122 overall). His selection comes after four years in college — one redshirt season due to transfer ineligibility — with one complete season at Georgia and Washington.

Eason finished his college career with 3,132 yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions as a junior. The former prized Bulldog prospect heads to a destination where he’ll hope to play successor to veteran quarterback Philip Rivers and learn from one of the longest-tenured starters in the league.

Buffalo drafts QB Jake Fromm

Fromm’s wait had to seem endless. He sat without his name being called through four-and-a-half rounds. Then, with his family gathered in his Warner Robins’ home, the local kid’s moment came with the Buffalo Bills despite slipping down the draft boards.

The Bills already have starting quarterback Josh Allen in place, but Fromm’s intelligence must serve as an advantage in order to earn playing time in the NFL. ESPN analyst Chris Mortensen said the Bills weren’t planning to draft Fromm during Saturdays rounds, but felt like he was “too good to pass up” in the fifth round (No. 167 overall).

Some of the weaknesses caused Fromm’s stock to slip, including the critiques of weaker arm strength, height and smaller hand size. Fromm saw a lull in production as a junior, in a run-heavy offensive package under coordinator James Coley. Fromm threw for 24 touchdowns (tying a career-low) and five interceptions.

ESPN Louis Riddick highlighted a down performance in the NFL combine and called his passing performance “striking” in regard to how his weaker arm strength showed. Fromm did compete, however, in a grouping with Eason and top-10 draftee Justin Herbert. Riddick believed those workouts could’ve “exposed” Fromm and held a bigger weight than his on-field performance.

Fromm’s biggest pluses, leadership and football knowledge, could set him up nicely for a chance to play at the professional level.

“Get ready, Jake Fromm,” ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. said. “You’re only one play away in Buffalo.”

49ers draft Charlie Woerner

Charlie Woerner never got the spotlight at Georgia. Until it mattered most on Saturday evening and he received a sixth-round draft selection (No. 190 overall). The San Francisco 49ers chose him while he spent time with family in Rabun County.

Woerner became the sixth Bulldog selected and the first first Georgia senior chosen. He performed well at the combine, but never knew where he might land due to not posting the flashy statistics at Georgia. He prepared to be a late-round selection or to sign a contract as an undrafted free agent.

Turns out, in his case, plenty of blocking and team leadership paid off. NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah called Woerner “the best special teams player in the draft.”

JR Reed to Jaguars, other free agent news

Former Georgia place-kicker Rodrigo Blankenship, Indianapolis Colts: Blankenship expected to hear his name called in the draft, but four place-kickers were chosen ahead of him. He was swooped up moments later, however, as an undrafted free agent. He could be the successor to Colts’ legend Adam Vinatieri, and hit 27 of 33 field goals as a senior at Georgia.

Former Georgia safety JR Reed, Jacksonville Jaguars: Reed informed The Telegraph of his signing with Jacksonville moments after the draft ended. Many expected him to be chosen in the draft, too, after being named a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. Reed recorded 54 tackles and one interception in his senior season.

Former Georgia tight end Eli Wolf, Baltimore Ravens: Wolf had the disadvantage of not having a pro day to show skills in front of NFL scouts. He compiled a combine-like video with Knoxville-based trainer Devin Driscoll, and it resulted in an undrafted free agent contract with Baltimore. Wolf recorded 194 yards and a touchdown in his lone season at Georgia.

Former Georgia running back Brian Herrien, Cleveland Browns: Running backs’ coach Dell McGee reported that Herrien would be headed to join former teammate Nick Chubb in Cleveland. Herrien was repeatedly praised for being a “blue collar” running back, and it resulted in a chance at the next level. Herrien received a number of starts as a senior and recorded 490 yards and six touchdowns.

Former Georgia wide receiver Tyler Simmons, Houston Texans: Simmons recorded 255 yards and hauled in a touchdown as a senior. He’ll join former Bulldog defender Davin Bellamy with the Texans.

Former Georgia wide receiver Lawrence Cager, New York Jets: Cager had the chance to star for one season as a Bulldog, and he considerably raised his stock toward hearing his name in the draft. He rose near the top of SEC receivers in 2019, but a season-ending ankle injury resulted in Cager sitting out six games and dissuading franchises. He finished with 476 yards, four touchdowns and now heads to the Jets as an undrafted free agent.

Former Georgia defensive back Tyrique McGhee, Los Angeles Rams: McGhee played sparingly in his final college campaign after dealing with some foot injuries. He played in only three games, but had 23 tackles in each of his sophomore and junior seasons which led to a chance at the next level.

This story was originally published April 25, 2020 at 7:04 PM.