2025 NFL Draft: Philadelphia Eagles take Georgia LB Smael Mondon in 5th round
Georgia has put yet another linebacker in the NFL. Former five-star prospect Smael Mondon has been picked in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Philadelphia Eagles took him with the 161 overall pick (5th round), making him the second Bulldog linebacker off the board in this draft and the 11th in the Kirby Smart era.
The Dallas, Ga. native served as a three-year starter in Athens. He was a reserve on Georgia’s 2021 National Championship team as a true freshman. Mondon earned a starting spot going into the 2022 season and after battling injuries, played some tremendous football down the stretch, helping UGA earn a 15-0 record and a second title in as many seasons.
Mondon, despite missing two games, piled up 76 tackles in 2022. He had eight stops for loss and a sack, which came against Ohio State in the Peach Bowl. He also had five quarterback hurries and an interception, which came in the SEC Championship win over LSU.
The injury bug bit again a few months later as Mondon’s spring was cut short due to a foot injury that lingered for almost two years. He put up good numbers in 2023, registering 68 total tackles, five tackles for loss, and three sacks in 13 games. Still, it was clear that he wasn’t full speed.
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After undergoing surgery to repair a navicular fracture (foot) and missing all of 2024 spring practice, Mondon appeared to be full go to start the season. He saw action in Georgia’s first four games but shut it down for the next four. Georgia had him at full speed for the final six games of the season and he tallied 57 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and three pass breakups in 10 games.
Mondon was the No. 27 overall prospect in the 2021 class per the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that includes all four websites that publish recruiting rankings. He was the No. 1 linebacker in the class and the No. 3 prospect in the Peach State.
