ATHENS -- Orson Charles denied reports circulating this week that he has already decided to skip his senior season at Georgia in favor of the pros, but the All-SEC tight end is among several Bulldog who have asked the NFL for draft evaluations.
Charles, a 6-foot-3, 241-pound junior from Tampa, leads the Bulldogs in receiving with 572 yards and 5 touchdowns on 44 catches.. As a fleet-footed tight end who can play wide receiver, he's expected to command a lot of interest from the NFL.
As for having already made up his mind to leave, Charles said, "No, don't believe that."
Charles, however, didn't rule out a post-Outback Bowl decision. "To tell you the truth, I'm blessed to have a decision in the first place," he said. "I grew up just hoping to have a decision like this. It's really going to come down to what the Lord wants me to do. I'm going to pray about it, talk to my family and definitely wait until after the Michigan State game, and take it from there."
Charles appears to be giving the NFL serious consideration, having had conversations with several football-minded people.
"I'm talking to multiple people and they're all telling me wait until after the bowl game," he said. "They all say, ‘Play this last game for the seniors, play the best that you can and, after that, evaluate everything.'"
Junior safety Bacarri Rambo, recently named as a first-team Associated Press All-America selection, said he turned in his evaluation paperwork to the NFL on Friday. Underclassmen must request evaluations by Saturday. Draft-eligible players have until Jan. 15 to declare for the draft and Jan. 18 to withdraw.
"I'll probably make my decision after the bowl game," said Rambo, who leads the SEC with 7 interceptions. "I'll just see then where I stand with everybody, what everybody thinks about me and what I need to improve on. ... I'm just praying about the situation and hopefully I'll make the right decision."
Consensus All-American linebacker Jarvis Jones reiterated that he was not even considering the prospect of leaving and did not request an evaluation.
"No reason to," said Jones, a redshirt sophomore from Columbus. "At the end of the day I think everything will work out for itself. I'm not really concerned with that. We're still playing. I already said I'm coming back, so it is what it is."
Surprisingly, redshirt sophomore quarterback Aaron Murray was among those to request an evaluation. But he intimated he's not seriously considering a jump this year. Next year, however, is another question.
"Can't predict the future," Murray said coyly. "We'll see what happens. I'm just worried about this game and winning a national championship next year."
Competition at tailback
Running back Isaiah Crowell was present for the Bulldogs' Friday practice and indications are he'll be available to play in the bowl game. That doesn't necessarily mean he'll be the starter against Michigan State.
Georgia coach Mark Richt said there is competition for the starting tailback slot heading into the Outback Bowl.
“Do you guys think anybody established themselves as a solid starter at the tailback position?" Richt asked rhetorically. "I’m not seeing that. Competition is a good thing, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Junior Richard Samuel has returned to the mix after missing the last five games of the season because of ankle surgery.
SEC opener at Mizzou?
Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity wouldn't confirm multiple reports out of Missouri that the Bulldogs will open SEC play next season on the road against the Tigers. He didn't deny it either, saying, "There's a good chance that we'll be in Columbia, Mo., early next season."
SEC athletic directors and league administrators have been meeting weekly to discuss scheduling models for the expanded conference, which will add Missouri and Texas A&M next season. All the scenarios have the SEC sticking with eight conference games, McGarity said. It's expected each team will drop a cross-divisional opponent and that is expected to be Alabama in Georgia's case.
Richt expects no casualties
Georgia coach Mark Richt believes all his players will be eligible for the Outback Bowl. Fall semester exams concluded on Wednesday and grades are due to be posted by Tuesday.
"I asked a bunch of kids today how they are doing and everybody seemed to be thinking things went well," Richt said. "I know going into it there weren't any major concerns but there's always a chance somebody blows up. [But] it wasn't like we were holding our breath on anything."
Etc. . . .
Richt reiterated for the umpteenth time Friday that neither he nor any of his representatives have had contact with Texas A&M, Penn State or any other school about their job openings, that he wants to remain at Georgia for as long as he's coaching and that he has had "great talks" with McGarity about an upcoming contract extension. . . . Punter Drew Butler (ankle), linebacker Mike Gilliard (ankle) and defensive end Derrick Lott (ankle) were unable to practice Friday. . . . Carlton Thomas (knee) was walking around practice in a green jersey.
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