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Kelee Ringo

Kelee Ringo (DB) – Georgia/Sophomore (redshirt as Freshman)

6’1”, 207 Lbs. (Official)

2022 Stats: 15 games, 37 solo tackles, 5 assisted, 1 sack, 2 TFL, 4 pass breakups, 2 interceptions (including 1 returned for a touchdown), 7 pass defended 

{Reference: https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/kelee-ringo-1.html}

Awards: Top-10 in the NCAA and SEC in 2021 in INTs returned for TDs, INT return yards, and passes defended.

{Reference: https://georgiadogs.com/sports/football/roster/kelee-ringo/6461}

Measurables: QBR when targeted 69.8, Arm – 31-1/4″, Hand – 8-1/2″, 40-yard – 4.36, 10-yard split – 1.54, Vertical – 33.5, Broad – 10’2″

Games Watched: [Joe] 2021 vs. Alabama; 2021 season National Championship Game vs. Alabama; 2022 vs. Tennessee; 2022 Bowl Game vs. Ohio St. [Nino] 2021 vs Alabama (SEC Championship), 2022 vs Georgia Tech, 2022 vs Oregon

PRO’S 

[Joe] 5-star prospect out of high school, Ringo is a tall, big, and physical outside cornerback who excels in man coverage. Ringo is an elite track and field athlete, which shows in his excellent straight line speed (ran an unofficial 4.35 40-yard dash). He is a competitive big man with room for more muscle, who already has the size and speed to stick with the taller, more physical NFL wide receivers on the outside. Opens his hips very nicely, which allows him to mirror the WR. Very fluid and explosive athlete – he even made Bruce Feldman’s “Freak’s List” at #6 (reference: https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Kelee-Ringo-DB-Georgia). While man coverage is his game, he is also good at zone and gets physical at the line of scrimmage. Ringo is known to have great ball skills plus a good understanding of routes. Need him to match up against shifty slot wide receivers and bigger, physical tight ends?  He has it covered with his great change of direction ability (for the slot) and size (for tight ends). Possibly the overall most physical CB in this draft.

[Nino] Ringo’s former 5-star recruiting talent was on display the last 3 seasons at Georgia. He is an all around impact player and natural playmaker (4:57 left in 2nd qtr vs Tenn, Ringo is stride for stride with Cedric Tillman down the right sideline, a physical battle for 40 yds, Ringo is able to get under Tillman at the 5 yd line and pick the ball off). He has really good closing speed as well as good route recognition (1:25 left in 3rd qtr vs Georgia Tech, WR crosses quickly over the middle close to the DL. Ringo recognizes the route and closes quickly to knock down the pass). Ringo knows how to use his 207 lbs frame to tackle the ball carrier and isn’t afraid to attack the backfield with his 9 run stops in 2022. Kelee uses his physicality to keep the WR pinned to the sideline cutting off any inside move. Ringo has the ability to remain in form to force the QB to make tight throws that might lead to incompletions or turnovers.

CON’S

[Joe] His aggressiveness is a plus, but can be a little too handsy at times (which the NCAA is more forgiving of than the NFL). He suffered a torn labrum before the start of his true freshman year in 2020. He redshirted in 2021 and has shown no lingering long term effects from the injury. He can get beaten and probably will, pretty often, in his NFL career but he also has that catchup speed as well.

[Nino] Early in ‘22 Ringo seemed to trip up on his own footwork but as the season went on he seemed to correct that. Just something to look into at the next level. Although he is normally great with timing, Ringo has a few occasions where he turned around late and could have knocked down the pass. Kelee can be overly physical or anticipate the throw too much and get cooked. He can be a boom or bust with his risks (:07 left in the 2nd qtr vs Oregon, Ringo tries to jam the WR at the LOS but the WR is able to slide off and get on top of Ringo for an easy 1st down) (13:20 left in 3rd qtr vs Alabama, Jamesion Williams and Ringo lined up 1on1 at the bottom of screen, 20 yds into the route Jameison gives Ringo a stutter step and he bites hard and gets beat for easy TD).

OVERALL THOUGHTS

[Joe] Ringo’s size, speed, physicality, and excellence at man coverage are everything that I want in a true outside CB1 in the making. And I love Head Coach Kirby Smart’s defensive program in Georgia that Ringo is coming out of. I believe Ringo can eventually be a chess piece who will give NFL defensive coordinators incredible flexibility to play him at any position in the secondary once he adds on even more size and muscle. You want to watch Ringo play football. And let’s face it – Kelee Ringo is a really cool football name, too.

[Nino] Overall Ringo’s body of work speaks for itself, covering the majority of teams WR1 and holding opponents QBs to 67.7 career QBR is legit! Ringo is a top tier DB in this year’s NFL Draft and is a Day 1 starter on any team. His natural playmaking ability and his ability to cut the field in quarters is a huge addition to any defense. Player Comp: Trevon Diggs

Completed by: @JoeJ_Clark, 02/05/23

Added to: @NinoBrown_T2T, 03/25/23

Reviewed & edited: J. Clark, 03/25/23

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