Sedrick Van Pran-Granger delivers message to Georgia leadership in 2024
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — With 41 players being taken in the past four NFL Drafts, Georgia is no stranger to filling big shoes. The Bulldogs have done it at pretty much every position on the field in at least one of the past few years but the argument can be made that its biggest challenge will come in 2023. That’s because the guy who started the past 44 games at center, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, is moving on to the NFL.
Van Pran-Granger was a tremendous player for Georgia between the whistles, developing into one of the top offensive linemen in the entire country. He was also one of the best leaders the Bulldogs have had in recent memory. He leaves behind teammates like Tate Ratledge, who enters his third season as a starter in 2024, who have admitted that they are struggling some to step into that role.
In his Friday media session at the 2024 NFL Combine, Van Pran-Granger made sure that Ratledge and all of his former teammates understand that he expects doesn’t expect anyone to do it the same way he did.
“So I’ll say this. Number one, if Tate, you’re watching, you don’t have to fill my shoes,” Van Pran-Granger said. “Be yourself, man. You’re great leader. You lead by example. You don’t have to be the vocal guy like Nolan (Smith) was or myself was. That doesn’t need to be you. There’s other ways to lead.
“But I will say this, for myself, leading has always been kind of natural for me. Since a child I’ve always felt this immense care for the guys that you call your brothers and the people you love, to make sure they’re taken care of. I think one of the biggest forms of care is looking after those guys and making sure they are doing the right things, ultimately for the biggest team goal of winning. That’s just how I look at it so for myself, leading is just kind of who I am. Whether it’s leading other guys as the top leader or being the guy that supports other leaders, whatever I have to do, that’s just who I am.”
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Kirby Smart consistently praised Van Pran-Granger throughout his Georgia career. The Georgia head coach has mentioned the practices habits and his leadership. According to Van Pran-Granger, Smart believes that he is a “black and white” leader, one who sees things two ways, right or wrong.
It might be hard to find a player who can see things that clearly but it’s also reasonable to expect that leadership to carry over into the 2024 season. Bulldogs should hope it does at one position, center. Jared Wilson will be taking over that spot and Van Pran-Granger believes that the work those two have put in together the past two seasons will have him ready.
“Yeah, so Jared, we’ve talked a lot,” Van Pran-Granger said. “I got Jared going, probably about two years ago, watching film with me and just teaching him different things on how to dissect film, what you’re looking for, and how to figure those guys out. I think Jared is going to be amazing this year. I really, really do. I think Jared has a big year coming for him. I’m super excited for him and I’m praying for him.”
