COVINGTON, Ga. — Just a few short years ago, Eric Stokes was wearing green and silver for the Eastside Eagles football team. Now, he just concluded his rookie season donning green and yellow as a member of the Green Bay Packers and earned All-Rookie honors. 

Stokes’ NFL career began on April 29, 2021, when the Packers drafted the Covington native with their 29th overall pick in last year’s draft out of the University of Georgia. 

Stokes didn’t earn a starting role until week three of the NFL season, but he made the most of the opportunity given to him. 

During his rookie year, Stokes played close to 1,000 total snaps while recording 52 tackles, 40 of which were solo, and had 14 pass deflections. Stokes also collected his first career interception in week four against Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Among rookies, Stokes placed first in forced incompletions as well as pass breakups. He was also third in passer rating for opposing quarterbacks, too. 

When the regular season ended, Stokes was one of only two rookie cornerbacks in the NFL to play in all 17 games. He also played 86.7% of all defensive snaps for the Packers, which led all Green Bay defenders in 2021-22. 

With the Packers being eliminated on Jan. 22 by the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round, Stokes’ rookie campaign, therefore, came to an end as well. 

But, at the season’s end, Stokes was named to the NFL All-Rookie team for his contributions in Green Bay.