The Philadelphia Eagles have spent plenty of draft capital on defensive players out of the University of Georgia.
Jalen Carter, Nakobe Dean, Jordan Davis, Nolan Smith, and Smael Mondon Jr. are just some of the more recent names who have been selected by Philadelphia in the draft process recently.
And there is one more Georgia player who was a part of their National Championship defense ...
Cornerback Kelee Ringo was Georgia's top defensive back during their title-winning days. He was taken by the Eagles in the fourth round of the 2023 draft and has sat behind veterans like Darius Slay and James Bradberry for the last two years.
With both veterans gone, it is in a sense "now or never'' for Ringo to prove he can be a starter in the league.
In limited action, Ringo has been pretty good at the cornerback position. Pro Football Focus graded out his sophomore season at a respectable 65.8. That is considered above average for the cornerback position.
Philadelphia will not simply give Ringo a starting role. He will be competing with veteran Adoree Jackson for that key role opposite second-year corner Quinyon Mitchell on the outside.
It seems silly to think that a player in just his third year in the league is in a "do or die" situation. Especially one as young as Ringo. Despite his two years in the league, he is still just 22 years old.
But Ringo isn't just looking to find a home on special teams. He may be Philadelphia's top special-teams player, but Ringo has far bigger goals.
Ringo wants to start on the outside.
If he can't beat out a player like Jackson—someone who has never played in the Vic Fangio system—then when will it happen?
He may have a spot on the roster as a special-teams ace, but if he wants to make his mark as a starter, his approach needs to be of the "now or never'' variety.