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Javon Bullard declares for 2024 NFL Draft

Palmber-Thombsby:Palmer Thombs•12/31/23•

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Javon Bullard
Georgia defensive back Javon Bullard (22) during Georgia’s game against UT Martin at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Sep. 02, 2023. (Kari Hodges/UGAAA)

Georgia’s Javon Bullard has made his decision on what’s next for him. The Bulldog defensive back announced on Sunday, just a day after the Orange Bowl, that he’ll be headed to the NFL next season.

“Dawg Nation, foremost, I want to give thanks to God for blessing me with my abilities to play the game of football. I will forever value the past few years during my time at the University of Georgia and am forever honored to have represented the G,” Bullard wrote in a message shared on social media.

“Mom and Dad, thank you for always supporting me and for the sacrifices that you made for me. Without y’all, I would not be the man I am today. To all my coaches and trainers during my life, thank you for constantly believing in me and my abilities. The leadership and advice you have given me has made me a better football player and an even better man,” he continued. “To my brothers, our bond is unbreakable and I will forever remember the friendships we’ve built on and off the field. To the Georgia fans, thank you for being the best fans in college football. Playing between the hedges on Saturdays has been one of the highlights of my life. I’m grateful for your support.”

Bullard grew into a defensive presence over the course of his collegiate career. As a freshman, he played in 14 of 15 games, primarily on special teams, and totaled 12 tackles. Half of those came against Charleston Southern in his most extensive action, leading the Bulldogs on that day. He also had tackles against UAB, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Auburn and Missouri.

Then, as a sophomore, the Baldwin High School (Milledgeville, Ga.) product started 10 of 15 at STAR where he finished fifth on the team in tackles with 46 stops. He was particularly impressive in Georgia’s biggest games of the season against Tennessee, Ohio State and TCU, earning Defensive MVP in the two College Football Playoff contests. He had seven tackles highlighted by a pair of sacks versus the Volunteers, led Georgia in tackles against both Florida and LSU (SEC Championship) and had a hand in a trio of turnovers (two interceptions, one fumble recovery) in the National Championship Game.

Bullard made the move to safety in 2023, starting each of the 12 games he played there this season. From that spot, Bullard came up with a career-high 56 tackles including a single-game best against Auburn (10) as he returned from an ankle injury suffered earlier in September. Bullard had interceptions in back-to-back late-season contests for the Bulldogs in wins over Missouri and Ole Miss, also coming up with a tackle for loss against the Rebels.

Bullard is the first Georgia player to officially declare for the draft. Quarterback Carson Beck and linebacker Smael Mondon have been announced as returnees however, with other decisions expected to follow soon.

More on Georgia and the NFL Draft…

Georgia has led the country in NFL Draft selections over the last three seasons with 34 in total. The Bulldogs also rank first over the last five with 48, boosted in large part due to the modern-era NFL Draft record 15 players that were picked in 2022 off of Georgia’s national championship-winning squad. Last year, UGA tied for the nation-high with 10 players picked.

In total, the Kirby Smart era at Georgia has seen 55 selections. You have to go all the way back to 1992 to find the last time at least one Bulldog was not taken in an NFL Draft. Georgia has had a player picked in the first round every year since 2018. That list includes Roquan Smith, Isaiah Wynn, Sony Michel, Deandre Baker, Andrew Thomas, Isaiah Wilson, Eric Stokes, Travon Walker, Jordan Davis, Quay Walker, Devonte Wyatt, Lewis Cine, Jalen Carter, Broderick Jones and Nolan Smith.

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