Jamaree Salyer latest Georgia junior choosing to return

Salyer is the sixth of 11 underclassmen drawing NFL interest who chose to return, joining tailback James Cook, quarterback JT Daniels, noseguard Jordan Davis, receiver Kearis Jackson and offensive lineman Justin Shaffer. Outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari, cornerbacks Tyson Campbell and Eric Stokes and center Trey Hill are each turning pro.

Salyer’s return will give Georgia nine returning starters on offense, including three of five on the offensive line. That’s assuming that tailback Zamir White comes to the same conclusion. The redshirt sophomore Laurinburg, N.C., is the only offensive starter drawing interest from the NFL who has yet to declare his intentions.

“I always dreamed of representing my state and my community at the highest possible level I could,” Salyer wrote “I don’t see any stage higher or any light brighter for the G than on a grand stage competing for a national championship.”

Salyer, a 6-foot-4, 325-pound junior from Atlanta, was a 5-star prospect and rated the No. 1 guard in the country when he signed with the Bulldogs out of Pace Academy. Now he’s one of Georgia’s most versatile offensive linemen.

After playing primarily at guard as a sophomore, he got his first two career starts at right tackle as a sophomore. He won the left tackle job in preseason camp this year, but played left guard in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. He can also play center.

Pace Academy coach Chris Slade was among those who consulted Salyer on his decision.

“I’m glad he’s coming back,” Slade said. “He’s obviously playing at a high level against great competition in the SEC. He’s been moved around a lot and, to his credit, he’s so smart he’s able to do that. So I think if they can find one home for him where (the NFL) can truly evaluate him for the draft will help him a lot. Those extra games can only help him.”

Slade, a former NFL player himself, said he believes Salyer projects as an NFL guard or center. Georgia started redshirt freshman Xavier Truss at left tackle against Cincinnati in the Peach Bowl. The Bulldogs won 24-21 but struggled both in pass protection and run-blocking. But it’s likely that Salyer will settle at left guard or right guard and a competition will ensue at left tackle.

In addition to Truss, Georgia has several left-tackle candidates, including redshirt freshman Broderick Jones, sophomore Warren McClendon and 5-star signee Amarius Mims.