David Pollack reveals what NIL deals he would have sought during his Georgia days

David Pollack, like most Georgia fans, has fond memories of his playing days in Athens.

That doesn’t necessarily include his weight at the time, as the beloved former Bulldogs defensive end was famously tipping the scales at nearly 300 pounds while serving as the face of the Georgia defense in the early 2000s. Of course, Pollack’s weight didn’t inhibit his on-field production, as the two-time consensus All-American capped his illustrious collegiate career by winning multiple national honors — the Bednarik, Lombardi and Hendricks awards, and the Lott Trophy — as a senior in 2004.

But while Pollack wasn’t necessarily in peak physical form — at least in his eyes — at the time, the former Georgia defender believes his elevated weight would’ve certainly played a factor if NIL (name, image and likeness) deals were a reality during his own college career.

“I mean, something to do with food, because fat boy could crush. Chick-fil-A would’ve been fantastic. That was definitely where I visited the most,” Pollack said during a recent episode of his David Pollack College Football podcast. “Video games or food. Hey, shoes — I would’ve gone buck wild if you got me some Nikes and I got to pick them out. I’d have been all about a sporting goods store where you could get swag and stuff like that. But video games would’ve been great. Gamestop. Does Gamestop do NIL deals? That would’ve been awesome back in the day.”

The discussion then veered into Pollack’s preferred fast-food diet during his time in Athens.

“I think I got two Chick-fil-A sandwiches with cheese and I think I got two fries. Now my Wendy’s order was my pregame (order) — I got two triple stacks with two orders of fries and put them on the burger and had a frosty,” Pollack recalled. “That was my night-before (meal), but Inoko (Hibachi) was fantastic. There was a Japanese restaurant (in Athens) and that would’ve been my No. 1 choice when you said that. Triple-fried rice, double filet, double chicken.

“Anybody wondering why I was 292 pounds, this is exactly why. Thank God I took some food nutrition courses my senior year and never eaten like that again.”

Pollack, whose promising professional career was cut short when he suffered a broken cervical vertebrae while making a tackle in his second NFL season, has since rehabilitated his body weight to a svelte 255 pounds while embracing a more healthy lifestyle that includes eating well and working out regularly.

David Pollack tabs Abdul Carter as the No. 1 pick in 2025 NFL Draft: ‘It’s not debatable’

David Pollack believes that Abdul Carter is the unquestionable No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, he revealed on his YouTube show.

His decision to tab the Penn State standout isn’t one that’s out of left field, but there will be arguments made for Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter to be drafted with the top spot. Not to mention a pair of quarterbacks in Hunter’s former teammate Shedeur Sanders or even Miami’s Cam Ward.

“A quarterback is the most important position in football,” Pollack admitted. “There’s no doubt about it. There’s also a lot to be said for guys to get quarterbacks on the ground, and that’s a really important position. And I think if we’re talking about the guy who does his craft the best in this draft, I’m not taking any of these quarterbacks over No. 11.

“I’m riding with Abdul Carter, and it’s not it’s not debatable for me.”

On3’s Barkley Truax contributed to this report.