Over the years there's been a lot of talented football players to come through Bleckley County High School but maybe none more talented than Amarius Mims. His size and talent make him one of the best tackle prospects in this year's NFL Draft, but something else does too.
On draft night, they'll talk about Amarius Mims, the 6-foot-8 wall on the Georgia Bulldogs offensive line. He was drafted in the first round by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 18th pick of the night. He's also joining UGA and Houston County alumn Trey Hill.
But the Amarius that they won’t talk about?
“They're not ever going to see his sense of humor,” Bleckley County head football coach Von Lassiter said. “He's a big human being, but he's thoughtful, caring, funny. He really wants to get to know you.”
And you can credit just about all of that to Mims’ hometown of Cochran.
“There's really no outside influences here,” Lassiter said. “He was coached by us from the time he was in 8th grade to the time he walked across the stage and left. We don't know any other way to do it except for coaching our kids and it comes from relationships.”
Because for this Bulldog, relationships are what it's all about.
“If he's at home, he's going to be here,” Lassiter said. “He was here all day yesterday. He doesn't love attention. He loves to be around his people and he still considers us his people so that's real special for us.”
Mims briefly entered the transfer portal in 2022 and almost left UGA for another school.
We all know what happened next: a second consecutive national championship for the Dawgs.
It was a decision at the time that would eventually let Amarius make the biggest decision of his life – to play in the NFL.
“I'm just glad I got to be a part of an amazing group, amazing coaching staff, an amazing university,” Mims said after the Bulldogs’ win over Florida State in the Orange Bowl last December.
“He loves his family, loves his coaches, loves his teammates and I don't think any fame or any position or any amount of money could change that about that kid,” Lassiter said.
And in the process, it’s Amarius showing today's group of Royals that he'll always be the Cochran kid.
“If you saw him around our kids, you'd think they were still teammates,” Lassiter said. “Usually when he comes home we go out to eat. I told him this will probably be the last week that I buy.”
Mims is a projected first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Baldwin High School alum Javon Bullard is also expected to be selected within the first few rounds of this year’s draft.