Leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft from April 25-27, The Red & Black is previewing each of Georgia’s 14 prospects.
Georgia football’s longest-tenured captain is off to the NFL.
Center Sedrick Van Pran is the most recent Georgia offensive lineman to enter the NFL draft. Van Pran had an option to enter the draft last season but elected to stick it out one final season.
University of Georgia’s offensive lineman Sedrick Van Pran 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)
Van Pran was the team’s captain for the SEC championship, and both playoff games in 2022. He anchored the middle of the offensive line for three straight undefeated regular seasons and two national championships, getting better every year he was a starter.
The New Orleans, Louisiana native was heralded by several teammates as the biggest leader of the team, with his replacement Jared Wilson noting his leadership as “world-renowned.” Yet, like any player, he had to work to become an even better leader, which he learned from current Los Angeles Charger Jamaree Salyer.
“I think the biggest thing I’ve taken from Jamaree, because I’m not a not a huge talker, is just be more vocal,” Van Pran said after G-Day in 2022. “When you say things, people respect it. So, just be more vocal. Make sure that guys are on the right page. And that’s something I’m trying to work off of myself is making sure I’m not always leading by example and start leading more by being vocal.”
Georgia offensive lineman Sedrick Van Pran in action during the 2024 UGA Pro-day at the UGA Indoor Practice Facility in Athens, Georgia on March, 13 2024. (Photo/Laney Martin; @LaneyMartinPhotography)
Van Pran’s growth as a leader wasn’t the only development he saw during his time with the Bulldogs. In his second year as a starter, he was named to the coaches and AP All-SEC second-team, just to earn first-team all-American nods by ESPN and Sports Illustrated and second-team nods by outlets like the AP and several others. He also was bumped up to first-team All-SEC by the AP and coaches polls.
While Van Pran didn’t win the Rimington trophy — an award given to the best collegiate center in a season — he was one of the three finalists. He did receive the SEC Jacobs Blocking Trophy, which is given to the best offensive lineman in the SEC. Van Pran was also a key to Georgia’s offensive line being a finalist for the Joe Moore award — which is given to the best offensive line group in college football — every year he was a starter.
Georgia offensive lineman Sedrick Van Pran (63) helps teammate. The University of Georgia football team leads Auburn University 14-0 at halftime at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. (Photo/Sidney Chansamone, @sid.chansa)
However, now, he moves on to his next chapter. The 6-foot-3, 310-pound offensive lineman only played center while with the Bulldogs but may move to guard at the next level. Van Pran noted that teams have talked to him about both positions and while he isn’t sure how that change might go, he’s ready to find out.
“At the end of the day, it’s just about having versatility,” Van Pran said. “In the NFL, they only [bring] seven offensive linemen, so you have to be able to play all inside positions.”
Van Pran was a staple of Georgia’s offensive line for three years and accomplished what no Georgia team had done ever.
His accomplishments will always keep him towards the top of the best centers to wear the red and black, no matter how the NFL goes for him. While he’s ready to take the next step in his career, he can’t help but miss the place he called home.
Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) prepares for snap from Georgia offensive back Sedrick Van Pran (63). At the half, the University of Georgia leads the University of Missouri 26-3 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (Photo/Jessica Gratigny; @jgratphoto)
“I’ll miss [head coach Kirby] Smart getting on us on the mic, but I’ll definitely miss my teammates,” Van Pran said. “That’s the biggest thing for me and I think it’ll be the hardest adjustment is kind of leaving those guys. Not necessarily leaving them behind, but not seeing them every day; the guys you build these connections with, spending time with them outside of football. It’ll be hard to leave those guys.”
