Leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft from April 25-27, The Red & Black is previewing each of Georgia’s 14 prospects.
Kamari Lassiter is headed to the NFL draft following a memorable collegiate career as a Bulldog.
Lassiter was a starter at cornerback for Georgia for the 2022 and 2023 seasons, and took over as Georgia’s top corner in 2023 after Kelee Ringo left for the NFL.
Lassiter had eight pass breakups and 37 total tackles in 2023. He also had three and a half tackles for loss.
Before the NFL combine, Lassiter was predicted to go in the back end of the first round of the NFL Draft, however, his stock has fallen since then. Concerns about his speed arose at the combine and have pushed him down draft boards.
University of Georgia’s defensive back Kamari Lassiter speaks to the press during the 2023 SEC Media Days at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (Photo/Landen Todd @whats_landophoto)
At the NFL combine, Lassiter finished the three cone drill in 6.62 seconds and the 20-yard shuttle in 4.12 seconds. His three cone drill time was the fastest of any cornerback at the combine and his shuttle ranked third.
Lassiter did not participate in the 40-yard dash until Georgia’s pro day where he ran an unconfirmed time in the 4.5s at best; hence the raised concern about his top end speed.
Before the Orange Bowl game, Lassiter was not even advised to play. Head coach Kirby Smart advised the cornerback to sit out and prepare for the draft since he would go in the first or second rounds.
Georgia inside linebacker Jamos Dumas-Johnson (10) and Georgia defensive back Kamari Lassiter (3) tackle a Kentucky player during a NCAA college football game between Kentucky and Georgia at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. Georgia won 54-13. (Photo/Mady Mertens; @MadyMertensPhotography)
“He called me two days later and said, ‘Coach, I can’t do it,’” Smart said. “I can’t do it. I’m sitting down, I’m over there coaching. I can’t do it. I want to be out there. I want to play with my guys. I think he did it against his mother’s will to be honest.”
Any last opportunity that came up for Lassiter to play in a Bulldog uniform, he would take it, and the captain went out with a bang for his last time playing with his teammates. Lassiter suited up for the first half of Georgia’s blowout win.
Georgia defensive back Kamari Lassiter (3) runs after a Kent State player. The University of Georgia football team defeats Kent State University 39-22 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
“I would say basically I think the game mattered just because if you’re a competitor, then every game matters,” Lassiter said. “Every opportunity you get to go out there and play the sport you love, play in front of the people you love, play for the people you love, it’s second to none. You can’t take it for granted, the opportunity to come out here and play with guys like this, play with coaches like this.”
Although Lassiter’s draft stock is falling because of his top-end speed concerns, his ability to finish on the ball and tackle receivers out in space are coveted traits for a cornerback and would be beneficial for any future NFL team.
“All these teams that go shopping, this dude right here wants to play football,” Smart said of Lassiter. “That’s all he cares about is playing football and his teammates. He ain’t worried about the next thing and all that.”
Georgia defensive backs Kamari Lassiter (3) and Christopher Smith (29) celebrate. The University of Georgia football team leads the University of Florida 28-3 after the first half at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida, on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022.(Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
As he heads into the NFL where his draft status awaits, Lassiter’s career at Georgia ended with a lasting commitment from the captain whose legacy will be remembered forever as a Bulldog.
