NFL Draft: Former Georgia college, high school players taken in first round

The first of seven rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft kicked off on Thursday night on Channel 2.

>A handful of Georgia standouts have already been drafted and are heading to the NFL.

>[NFL Draft 2026: Dates, times, draft order, how to watch on Channel 2]

>So far, just one UGA Bulldog has come off the board.

>Monroe Freeling was selected as the No. 19 overall pick during the first round by the Carolina Panthers.

>Georgia Tech Guard Keylan Rutledge was also grabbed in the first round.

>The Houston Texans drafted him as the No. 26 pick overall.

>While he may not have played for a Georgia team in college, another Georgia native is heading to Texas.

>Ohio State Safety Caleb Downs, a Gwinnett County native who attended Mill Creek High School, was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys as the No. 11 overall pick.

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