Georgia safety J.J. Green will transfer, looks to play running back

Georgia safety J.J. Green will transfer. Green wants to play running back at a different school.

Georgia safety J.J. Green will transfer, the program announced Tuesday.

Green is looking to play running back at a different school. From Georgia's press release:

"J.J. and I talked a couple of times and he wanted the opportunity to be an offensive player," said head coach Mark Richt. "He decided another school would better afford him that opportunity. We'll help him in any way we can to find the right place."

Green, a sophomore, began his career at running back last season. Due in part to the absence of running back Keith Marshall, who missed most of the season due to a torn ACL, Green played in all 13 games in 2013 and started two, carrying the ball 68 times for 382 yards and three touchdowns.

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The Kingsland, Ga., native was switched to the defensive backfield before this season and played in eight games in 2014, starting one.

Though star running back Todd Gurley could leave for the NFL draft after the season, Marshall will likely return in 2015, as will Nick Chubb, who has run for 1,281 yards and 12 touchdowns as a freshman this season. That means playing time would've likely been scarce at running back next year should Green have switched back to the position.

Green becomes the second defensive back this week to announce his intention to transfer from Georgia. Sophomore cornerback Brendan Langley also announced he was leaving Monday.

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The Bulldogs finished the regular season 9-3, including a 6-2 mark in the SEC. Georgia will play in an as yet undetermined bowl game to finish the year.

- Ben Estes