Nolan Smith excited to join former Georgia teammates with Philadelphia Eagles

When former Georgia linebacker Nolan Smith got drafted to the Philadelphia Eagles at the end of the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, there was the general surprise that sounds surrounds every selection made after the first few picks when the draft opens up. But there also was a sense of déjà vu for many Philadelphia fans.

Earlier in the night, the Eagles had selected another Bulldogs defender in defensive lineman Jalen Carter with the No. 9 overall pick. The previous year, the Eagles had picked former Georgia defensive lineman Jordan Davis in the first round, linebacker Nakobe Dean in the third round and defensive back Kelee Ringo in the fourth round.

As Smith said on the Green Light with Chris Long podcast, the opportunity to reunite with his old Georgia teammates on the Eagles is an exciting one.

“I was excited,” Smith said. “I get to be with some of my brothers, some of my guys that I already won with and just already have a previous connection with. Coach Siriani says it all the time. We trying to build a connection here. I just feel like once you have that already you can push the envelope a little bit more. Like me and JD could go a little bit harder or I can say come on JD man let’s get another workout in. I just feel like that’s just one of the great things about being a part of Georgia coming to Philly with already people here.”

After a standout 2021 season, Smith was starring once again on the Bulldogs defense in 2022 before a torn right pectoral muscle ended his season in October. Georgia still went on to defend its national championship, becoming the fourth team in program history to win a claimed national title.

Philadelphia currently has six former Bulldogs on its roster.

Smith obviously has a connection with all of the four other Georgia defenders drafted over the past two seasons by the Eagles. But the one between him and Dean is extra special because the two were not only roommates but also were both engineering majors.

Dean and Smith will be living near each other in the Philly area, which Smith said will make hanging out very easy.

“Me and Nakobe, we had some struggles together,” Smith said. “Some late nights from studying the playbook to studying normal school. Me and the Kobe done been through the thick and thin together.”