10 best Univeristy of Georgia alumni in NFL history

10 best Georgia alumni in NFL history

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 19: Former Denver Broncos running back and hall of fame inductee Terrell Davis stands on the field with his family during a ceremony to recognize the former player before a game between the Denver Broncos and the Cincinnati Bengals at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 19, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

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CINCINNATI, OHIO – DECEMBER 01: Sam Darnold #14 of the New York jets is sacked by Geno Atkins #97 and Sam Hubbard #94 of the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 01, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

9. Geno Atkins

There was a time that the former Bulldog was regarded as the best interior defensive lineman in the league. Geno Atkins proved to be quite the steal for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2010. He was a fourth-round selection and wound up spending 11 seasons with the franchise.

As a rookie, Atkins played in all 16 games but made only one start. He finished with 16 tackles and three sacks but he and defensive end Carlos Dunlap tied for the team lead with 14 quarterback hits. One year later, he earned the first of eight Pro Bowl invitations.

The 6-foot-1, 300-pound defensive force would also earn All-Pro nods in 2012 and 2015. He played in all 16 games nine times during his 11-year NFL stay and started 134-of-161 regular-season contests. Atkins played in only nine games in 2013 but still racked up six sacks.

The numbers are impressive courtesy of 75.5 sacks, impressive for an interior defensive lineman. He was part of five playoff teams in Cincinnati but unfortunately, the Bengals came up short in the postseason each of those years.

Atkins’ final season came in 2020 when he was limited to only eight games. Could he eventually be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame discussion in a few years when he becomes eligible?

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