Philadelphia Phillies select Georgia linebacker Nolan Smith with the 30th pick of the first round.
The Eagles now have four members of one of the greatest college defenses of all time on their roster. Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean!
Smith was a multi-year starter and team captain for the Georgia Bulldogs. He was limited to just eight games due to a torn pectoral muscle he suffered in the team’s win over Florida. Smith is expected to be fully healed from the injury.
As a senior, Smith had 18 tackles, 7 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks. Even though he was sidelined during his senior season, Smith still had a huge impact on his team. Georgia teammates raved about his leadership abilities.
The 6-foot-2, 238 pound Smith had just 11.5 sacks during his Georgia career, but part of that can be attributed to how Georgia uses its outside linebackers.
Smith solidified himself as a first-round pick with a standout NFL combine performance. He ran a 4.39 40-yard dash and posted a 41.5-inch vertical.
Eagles draft pick Nolan Smith. Photo courtsey of Tony Walsh
