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The unexpected returns of running backs Sony Michel and Nick Chubb surprised many in Athens.
Running backs have a shorter shelf-life when it comes to the duration of a career. However, this dynamic one-two punch is ready to address some unfinished business.
In addition, head coach Kirby Smart and his staff had to have been elated with the news that outside linebackers Davin Bellamy and Lorenzo Carter will also be coming back to school — bypassing the 2017 NFL Draft:
Focus will be on Chubb/Michel, but Bellamy, Carter coming back gives Georgia 15 of top 16 tacklers returning on SEC's 4th ranked defense.
— Brandon Zimmerman (@BZSEC) December 15, 2016
Bellamy and Carter combined for 86 tackles, 13.0 tackles-for-loss, and 8.0 sacks. They’ll return to a defense ranked amongst the best in the conference. In addition, a vast majority of the major contributors will be back in 2017.
This is a huge turn of events for Smart. Four of his best players could’ve opted to leave for the NFL. However, they’ll return with the hopes of winning the SEC East.
Smart echoed this sentiment during his press conference on Thursday:
“I’m excited about the future of the Georgia Bulldog program, this means a lot to me and for our program that they all made this decision.”
