Zamir White’s decision to return reminiscent of Georgia’s 2017 offseason

ATHENS — With Zamir White’s announcement that he’s returning next season, it’s beginning to feel like 2017 all over again for Georgia.

The running back known as “Zeus” used his social-media feeds Wednesday to let everybody know that he plans to play for the Bulldogs again next season. A third-year sophomore, White was eligible to enter the NFL draft.

White used the same hashtag that seven other Georgia underclassmen did in making their returning announcements — that is, “unfinished business!”

White is the eighth of 12 Georgia underclassmen who received serious interest from the NFL who chose returning to school over entering the draft. He joins outside linebacker Adam Anderson, running back James Cook, quarterback JT Daniels, defensive lineman Jordan Davis, receiver Kearis Jackson and offensive linemen Jamaree Salyer and Justin Shaffer.

That’s reminiscent of January 2017 when Nick Chubb, Sony Michel, Lorenzo Carter and Davin Bellamy led a rising senior class that chose to return for one more year. The Bulldogs won the SEC and played in the College Football Playoff Championship game that season.

One of the distinguishing traits Alabama and Clemson have had during their recent national-championship runs has been the number of attractive NFL prospects choosing to return for their senior seasons. The Crimson Tide had Heisman Trophy-winning receiver DeVonta Smith, All-American offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood and linebacker Dylan Moses among key returning seniors in the season that just ended in a championship for the Tide.

The past two years, Georgia has had most of its key juniors choose to go pro. Coach Kirby Smart talked about that heading into the Peach Bowl.

“They have to have a reason to want to leave and go,” Smart said. “Maybe that’s financial for their family. But long-term, financially we educate them that the best value they can get is to go as high as possible in the draft, which ensures longevity in the NFL. That’s the ultimate factor, how long can you stay (in the NFL)?”

That White waited until Wednesday -- the last day he could -- indicates how difficult the decision must have been for him. A former 5-star recruit and No. 1-ranked overall prospect from Laurinburg, N.C., White was Georgia’s leading rusher last season. A 6-foot, 215-pound back, he averaged 5.4 yards a carry while rushing for 779 yards and 11 touchdowns, and scoring a touchdown in all 10 of the Bulldogs’ games.

People familiar with the situation said White did not receive a first-round grade from the NFL. However, he has had ACL surgeries on both knees since arriving at UGA in 2018, so staying healthy certainly was a concern.

But White has gotten only stronger the past two seasons. Since redshirting as a freshman, he has rushed for 1,187 yards and 14 touchdowns since then while starting 11 games.

As Georgia prepared for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at the end of last year, White said, “(I) definitely wish we had a few more games” because the offense was playing so well. With quarterback JT Daniels at the controls, the Bulldogs averaged 37.3 points and 486 yards a game over the final four games.

“I’m just blessed to be here playing on this team,” White said. “I’m just truly grateful to my teammates and my coaches and my family for just believing in me after my injuries and stuff. So. I’m just blessed.

White’s return means the Bulldogs will field nine returning starters on offense from the 2020 team. Overall, Georgia is bringing back its seven leading rushers, six leading receivers and two leading passers on offense. The Bulldogs do have to replace center Trey Hill and right guard Ben Cleveland.