Georgia’s Roquan Smith goes eighth to Chicago

A hard-hitting linebacker from small-town Georgia is headed to the bright lights of the Second City.

Macon County product Roquan Smith, who went on to win multiple honors at Georgia, was selected by the Chicago Bears with the No. 8 pick in Thursday’s first round of the NFL draft.

Smith was the third defensive player taken overall, following Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward (Cleveland, No. 4) and N.C. State defensive end Bradley Chubb (Denver, No. 8).

Several mock drafts had Smith, the first SEC player selected Thursday, going to Oakland with the No. 10 selection. But Smith, who left Georgia a year early, moved up two spots.

Cleveland, which has gone through one quarterback after another since the franchise’s revival, picked Oklahoma signal caller Baker Mayfield with the top overall selection.

Mayfield was the 2017 Heisman Trophy winner, throwing for 4,627 yards and 43 touchdowns. He led the Sooners to the Big 12 title and a Rose Bowl appearance, where they lost to Georgia.

Penn State running back Saquon Barkley was the No. 2 pick, taken by the New York Giants. He ran for 1,271 yards and 18 touchdowns last season.

Southern Cal quarterback Sam Darnold went third to the New York Jets.

Indianapolis went with an offensive lineman with the No. 6 pick, taking Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson.

Tampa Bay traded the No. 7 pick to Buffalo, which took Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen.

A second Notre Dame offensive lineman went at No. 9, with San Francisco taking tackle Mike McGlinchey.

Oakland traded the 10th pick to Arizona, which picked up UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen.