ATHENS – The biggest piece of Georgia’s puzzle for trying to become the first “three-peat” national champion in the modern era just fell into place.
Sedrick Van Pran, a rising senior and fourth-year player from New Orleans, announced Friday afternoon that he plans to return to UGA to play another season for the Bulldogs. Van Pran will be a third-year starter at center, where he earned second-team All-SEC honors this past season. More important, Van Pran was an offensive captain and an intellectual and emotional leader for his unit, which was runner-up to Michigan this past season for the Joe Moore Award, which goes to the nation’s top offensive line.
“Father God, you are the greatest! One more year in Athens,” Van Pran said on his social-media platforms above a Georgia graphic exclaiming “Back to Back.”
The Bulldogs already knew they were going to be without tackles Broderick Jones and Warren McClendon, underclassmen who declared for the NFL draft last week. Van Pran’s return gives the Georgia offense a solid foundation in the middle of the line around which to build.
The Bulldogs also return starting guards Xavier Truss and Tate Ratledge. Devin Willock also was a big part of Georgia’s plans. A redshirt sophomore, Willock died Sunday in an car crash that also killed recruiting analyst Chandler LeCroy and injured fellow analyst Tory Bowles and McClendon.
The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the draft was Monday. But Van Pran – and all Georgia players – were granted an extension by the NFL in the wake of Sunday’s tragedy. Van Pran was considered a solid second- or third-round draft prospect and was thought to be leaning toward turning pro in the days that followed Georgia’s second consecutive national championship.
Van Pran’s decision essentially closes a very tumultuous post-championship period for the Bulldogs in which 10 Georgia players entered the NCAA transfer portal and three others came UGA’s way.
Now Georgia must await the conclusion of the coaches’ carousel that dominates this time of year. Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Todd Monken has been fielding offers to return to the NFL as a coordinator, most notably a strong offer from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team for which he previously coached.
Meanwhile, Alabama reportedly has approached co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Glenn Schumann about its vacant DC post. Schumann and his wife, Lauren, are Alabama graduates.
Generally, college coaching positions get filled in January and February. Stay tuned.
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