The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Safeties Sanders, Davis still pondering whether to stay
ATHENS — Georgia knows it will return four key players who are passing on the next NFL draft. But a couple of other decisions are still lingering.
Safeties Dominick Sanders and Aaron Davis are mulling their options, coach Kirby Smart acknowledged Tuesday.
Neither was among the four players who announced Thursday that they would return for 2017.
Sanders, a three-year starter and first-team All-SEC pick last year, is considering entering the draft. He declined to talk about his future plans last month prior to the Georgia Tech game and so far has not been made available to the media during bowl practice.
Sanders, a 6-foot, 189pound safety, has started 37 of 38 games since he arrived at Georgia, the only nonstart being when he was serving a targeting suspension. He enters the Liberty Bowl with 31 tackles and three interceptions. He has 12 career interceptions, four off the school record.
Davis, a former walk-on who graduated last week, has one more year of eligibility. He started 10 games this year and 29 in his career.
“We talked to those guys. And I think each one of them will come to the conclusion, come to a decision when it comes time,” Smart said. “I think those four other guys (who announced they were returning) just are really comfortable with their decision and felt really good about it and were ready to come forward. That doesn’t mean those (two) other guys aren’t. It just means those other guys aren’t ready to do that.
“We’ve had conversations with them (Sanders and Davis) since those four (announced). So it’s kind of an ever-evolving process.”
In the meantime and without fanfare, Georgia’s football team began using the much-awaited indoor facility over the weekend, even as it awaits completion. The Bulldogs conducted walkthroughs in the facility during each of the past three mornings, Athletic Director Greg McGarity confirmed Tuesday.
The $30.2 million project is undergoing final construction. Workers had cranes on the premises Tuesday afternoon, putting in window panels.
But the facility, yet to be given a name, was ready enough for the Bulldogs to engage in walk-throughs. Turf has been in place for weeks, and field goal posts are hanging from the ceiling.
The facility is apparently not ready for the team to conduct full practices. The Bulldogs were back outside at the temporary practice field Tuesday afternoon.