Georgia CB Kamari Lassiter weighing NFL Draft decision, Kirby Smart urging him to go pro

Georgia cornerback Kamari Lassiter is poised to make a decision on whether to leave school early for the 2024 NFL Draft after receiving a high draft grade from the league and encouragement from head coach Kirby Smart to go pro, according to The Athletic’s Seth Emerson.

While Lassiter didn’t confirm a decision, he is apparently likely to go pro and not pass up a chance at being a first or second round pick. Smart also did not confirm that Lassiter would be leaving, despite making clear to the junior that he can and should go to the NFL.

In three years at Georgia, Lassiter has played in 44 career games and was a part of the 2021 and 2022 national championship teams. He also made a point to play in the 2023 Orange Bowl for the Bulldogs.

Lassiter has 86 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and an interception in his collegiate career, to date.

Smart, after Georgia won the Orange Bowl in dominating fashion, lauded the players for sticking around to play in the bowl game — Lassiter was among that group.

“I also have a ton of pride in watching our kids prepare. Everybody on the outside said ‘I didn’t matter, nobody cares, nobody should be at the game, nobody should play in the game.’ These guys right here, they care. They care about each other,” Smart said.

More on the 2024 NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Michigan, with the first round on Thursday, April 25, the second and third rounds on Friday, April 26, and the fourth through seventh rounds on Saturday, April 27.

Players will have the opportunity to solidify their draft stock at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana from February 26 through March 4.

The three-day event will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on ESPN and NFL Network.

To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility.

Last season, 69 players were granted special eligibility for the 2023 NFL Draft. 13 underclassmen who had completed their college degrees were also deemed eligible to be selected.

The deadline to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft is on January 15. NFL teams will receive a full list of eligible players in the class on January 19.