Two of Georgia’s best offensive players address NFL decisions following LSU loss

Two of Georgia’s offensive stars, running back D’Andre Swift and offensive tackle Andrew Thomas, near the biggest decisions of their respective careers.

As juniors, they’re eligible to forgo their senior seasons to enter the NFL draft and pursue a lucrative opportunity. After Georgia’s 37-10 loss to LSU in the SEC Championship, those options come to the forefront as the Bulldogs only have a consolation New Year’s Six bowl game remaining.

Each of these talents are highly-touted draft picks, and Thomas could be a top-five selection during the April 25, 2020, event in which college prospects are selected by professional franchises. A mock draft by CBS Sports projects Thomas as the No. 3 selection to the Washington Redskins and the first offensive lineman selected.

Georgia will hold a team meeting Sunday ahead of hearing its bowl selection, and Thomas will begin to evaluate. As of Saturday’s postgame locker room availability, Thomas has not made a decision.

“I haven’t really put too much thought into that,” he said. “That’ll be a tough decision. I’ll talk to my parents, coaches and go from there.”

Swift, who emerged as the Bulldogs’ star running back throughout his three seasons with the program, is projected as a 44th-overall selection to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the same mock draft. He eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the second-consecutive season with 1,216 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.

After a 13-yard showing against LSU and handling a shoulder contusion, Swift’s focus remained in other areas.

“I’m not focused on the future,” he said. “I’m just focused on my team and making sure I get back to 100 percent. We took a hard loss today.”

Georgia enters the realm of consolation again, and the questions of players appearing in the bowl game will rise again as well. Former Georgia cornerback Deandre Baker sat out of last season’s Sugar Bowl before being a first-round selection. They’ll have to weigh the risk and reward of playing one last college game and risking a financial opportunity.

But first, will these juniors go?

“I’ll worry about it when it’s time to worry about it,” Swift said.