We should start looking at how the top Guards in college football are doing.
WalterFootball.com: 2020 NFL Draft: Guards Rankings
Solomon Kindley*, G, Georgia
Height: 6-4. Weight: 335.
Projected 40 Time: 5.20.
Projected Round (2020): 1-3.
9/14/19: Kindley was excellent for the Georgia in the 2019 season opener against Vanderbilt. He is a powerful run blocker and athletic in pass protection. Kindley looks like he has plug-and-play starting potential for the NFL. Kindley could be a riser throughout the 2020 draft process.
8/17/19: Team sources are raving about Kindley, and he could end up being a special guard prospect. Kindley is a big blocker with a thick build, but area scouts are raving about the way Kindley can move and feel his movement skills alone could him a starter in the NFL. On top of Kindley being an easy mover in a big body, he has nastiness to him and really gets after defensive players. Kindley helped pave the way for D'Andre Swift and Elijah Holyfield in 2018 as Georgia's starting left guard. Kindley broke into the starting lineup in 2017 as a redshirt freshman and blocked well to help Georgia reach the National Championship. Kindley has talent around him and behind him to be a riser throughout the 2019 season.
Trey Smith*, G/OT, Tennessee
Height: 6-6. Weight: 320.
Projected 40 Time: 5.32.
Projected Round (2020): 1-3.
9/14/19: Smith has been cleared to play, and it will be very important for his draft stock that he remains on the field this season without the blood-clot issue sidelining him again.
8/17/19: Smith had a strong sophomore season for Tennessee prior to missing the final five games of 2018 with blood clots in his lungs. The issue first impacted Smith during workouts after his freshman season. After being held out for some time, Smith returned to practice in training camp and played the first seven games of the 2018 season while showing his impressive skill set for the Volunteers. Smith's status for 2019 is in question, but he has been taking part in non-contact parts of training camp practice. Head coach Jeremy Pruitt was not ready to say if Smith will play in 2019, but Smith is working with his medical team in hopes of playing again. Obviously, Smith has to play and maintain a high caliber of play to be a first-round pick.
In 2017, Quenton Nelson was the top offensive lineman in college football, but the second-best guard in the nation could have been Smith. Considering there were other good guards like Will Hernandez and Braden Smith who were second-round picks in the 2018 NFL Draft, that is really saying something for how Smith played as a freshman. Smith dominated at the point of attack and was extremely impressive when taking on Alabama. He looked like he was just scratching the surface with the upside to be even better with more experience. Smith played guard and left tackle for the Volunteers as a freshman.
WalterFootball.com: 2020 NFL Draft: Guards Rankings
Solomon Kindley*, G, Georgia
Height: 6-4. Weight: 335.
Projected 40 Time: 5.20.
Projected Round (2020): 1-3.
9/14/19: Kindley was excellent for the Georgia in the 2019 season opener against Vanderbilt. He is a powerful run blocker and athletic in pass protection. Kindley looks like he has plug-and-play starting potential for the NFL. Kindley could be a riser throughout the 2020 draft process.
8/17/19: Team sources are raving about Kindley, and he could end up being a special guard prospect. Kindley is a big blocker with a thick build, but area scouts are raving about the way Kindley can move and feel his movement skills alone could him a starter in the NFL. On top of Kindley being an easy mover in a big body, he has nastiness to him and really gets after defensive players. Kindley helped pave the way for D'Andre Swift and Elijah Holyfield in 2018 as Georgia's starting left guard. Kindley broke into the starting lineup in 2017 as a redshirt freshman and blocked well to help Georgia reach the National Championship. Kindley has talent around him and behind him to be a riser throughout the 2019 season.
Trey Smith*, G/OT, Tennessee
Height: 6-6. Weight: 320.
Projected 40 Time: 5.32.
Projected Round (2020): 1-3.
9/14/19: Smith has been cleared to play, and it will be very important for his draft stock that he remains on the field this season without the blood-clot issue sidelining him again.
8/17/19: Smith had a strong sophomore season for Tennessee prior to missing the final five games of 2018 with blood clots in his lungs. The issue first impacted Smith during workouts after his freshman season. After being held out for some time, Smith returned to practice in training camp and played the first seven games of the 2018 season while showing his impressive skill set for the Volunteers. Smith's status for 2019 is in question, but he has been taking part in non-contact parts of training camp practice. Head coach Jeremy Pruitt was not ready to say if Smith will play in 2019, but Smith is working with his medical team in hopes of playing again. Obviously, Smith has to play and maintain a high caliber of play to be a first-round pick.
In 2017, Quenton Nelson was the top offensive lineman in college football, but the second-best guard in the nation could have been Smith. Considering there were other good guards like Will Hernandez and Braden Smith who were second-round picks in the 2018 NFL Draft, that is really saying something for how Smith played as a freshman. Smith dominated at the point of attack and was extremely impressive when taking on Alabama. He looked like he was just scratching the surface with the upside to be even better with more experience. Smith played guard and left tackle for the Volunteers as a freshman.
