Georgia DT returning for senior season

Athens — Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno still say they haven’t decided whether to enter next year’s NFL draft. But another draft-eligible Georgia player says he’s definitely staying in school for the 2009 season.

Junior defensive tackle Geno Atkins, projected as a low first-round pick by many early mock drafts, said Tuesday he will forego next spring’s draft and remain with the Bulldogs for his senior season.

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Brant Sanderlin /bsanderlin@ajc.com

Georgia defensive tackle Geno Atkins is returning to the Bulldogs for his senior season.

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“It’s set. I’m definitely coming back,” Atkins said. “My mom wants me to come back, and I want to leave UGA with a degree. And my mom wants to walk out on Senior Night with me.”

While players often change their minds about entering the draft, Atkins insisted his decision is irreversible.

“I’m 100 percent,” he said. “I’ve still got a lot to learn and a lot of things to improve on, and that’s also a part of why I’m staying.”

Another factor, Atkins said, is that his junior season will end without a championship.

“I want to leave here with a national championship or even an SEC championship,” he said. “That was one of my goals when I came here, so that did play into my decision.”

Asked if he has any draft advice for teammates Stafford and Moreno, Atkins said: “They’ve got to do whatever is best for them, really. Whatever they believe in.”

Atkins, a 6-foot-1, 290-pounder from Pembroke Pines, Fla., has 30 tackles this season.

Offensive line updates

Georgia right tackle Justin Anderson, who missed last week’s game against Auburn with a foot injury, is doubtful for the Tech game.

Coach Mark Richt said he expects Josh Davis, who started in Anderson’s place against Auburn, to also start against Tech.

Richt said Kiante Tripp, who backed up Davis last week, might play a bit more.

Extra time to prepare for Jackets

Georgia didn’t practice Tuesday, but players ran, lifted weights and began watching film of Georgia Tech. The Bulldogs will be on the practice fields today and Thursday — their only practices of the week. They’ll run and lift weights Friday; then many of the players plan to go home for the open-date weekend.