ATHENS -- The Georgia Bulldogs appear to have something going with their “unfinished business” theme. Two more draft-eligible football players used that phraseology to announce on their social-media timelines that they intend to return for another season.
Kearis Jackson, a sophomore wide receiver from Fort Valley, and Justin Shaffer, a junior offensive lineman from Ellenwood, are the latest to choose another year at UGA over testing the NFL draft. Their decisions are significant as both are returning starters.
Jackson’s return was somewhat expected because he was recently named one of the school’s two athlete representatives on the Georgia Athletic Association’s board of directors. But it’s a big deal beyond that. In addition to leadership qualities, he’s the Bulldogs’ leading returning receiver (36 for 514 yards and 3 TDs) and also is the team’s primary kickoff and punt returner. He heads into his third season with 593 career receiving yards and 396 in returns.
“If they tell me that I got one shot, I’m on go,” Jackson said.
Shaffer started every game this season at guard (nine on the left side, one on the right) and remains one of the line’s more versatile players. He played every game in 2019, including some work at tackle.
“My dream has always been to be a student-athlete at Georgia and get a degree,” said Shaffer, who will pick up a sociology degree later this year.
Mark Webb, to the surprise of few, announced that he intends to move on. The senior defensive back from Philadelphia already had accepted an invitation to play in the Senior Bowl and sat out the Chick-fil-A Bowl with an injury.
For those keeping tabs, that’s four underclassmen choosing to go pro and five others choosing to come back to Georgia for the 2021 season. At least two remain undecided.
Draft-eligible sophomore outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari, junior center Trey Hill and junior cornerbacks Tyson Campbell and Eric Stokes are going to give the NFL shot.
The Bulldogs are still awaiting the decisions of draft-eligible sophomore running back Zamir White and junior offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer. Neither is commanding a high grade from NFL scouts, but that hasn’t prevented plenty of Georgia players in the past from making the leap.
On Thursday, the Bulldogs learned that All-SEC defensive lineman Jordan Davis was coming back. He joined quarterback JT Daniels and running back James Cook in making that decision.
Having draft-worthy players return for their senior seasons often can be the tilting point for a team being able to make a special run. Alabama’s, the nation’s No. 1 team heading into Monday’s national championship game, had several this season, including Heisman Trophy-winning receiver Devonta Smith, offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood and linebacker Dylan Moses. Also, Clemson had several key defensive linemen return for their run in 2019.
And, of course, Georgia got to the 2017 national championship champ in large part because of the returns of Nick Chubb, Sony Michel, Davin Bellamy and Lorenzo Carter, among others.
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