George Pickens Declares for 2022 NFL Draft

Georgia wide receiver George Pickens has declared for the 2022 NFL Draft according to his social media feeds.

Georgia wide receiver George Pickens has declared for the 2022 NFL Draft according to his social media feeds. 

In a statement, Pickens thanked the Georgia faithful: 

"First of all, I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to play this game that I love. Without him, none of this would be possible. 

I want to thank my family and friends for all the support over the years leading up to this point. As a kid in Birmingham, I always dreamed of being in this position and it is happening right before my eyes. I made the decision to come to UGA because I wanted to be a National Champion and now, with my brothers, we have accomplished that goal and these moments shared here at UGA will stick with me forever. 

I want to thank Ron Courson and the entire athletic training staff for the dedication they showed in getting me back on the field. They went over and beyond with the rehab program and I can't say thank you enough. 

I want to thank Coach Smart and Coach Hankton for their support and mentorship over the last 3 years. They brought me in as family and I will always be appreciative. 

Lastly, I want to give a huge thank you and shout out to the best fans in the country. Without you all, none of this would have happened. I am so glad we were able to bring  National Championship back home to you all. Thank you for the memories between the hedges. I am a DAWG for life. 

With that being said, I am declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft and foregoing my senior year. "

NFL Draft Declarations Update:

• January 14th, 2022 - Georgia WR George Pickens declares for the 2022 NFL Draft. 
• January 14th, 2022 - Georgia LB Nakobe Dean Declares for the 2022 NFL Draft. 
• January 14th, 2022 - Georgia RB Zamir White declares for the 2022 NFL Draft.
• January 12th, 2022 - Georgia RB James Cook declares for the 2022 NFL Draft.

TRANSFER PORTAL UPDATE

• January 13th, 2022 - Latavious Brini Announced he will be entering the NCAA Transfer Portal
• January 12th, 2022 - Sources confirm Georgia DB Jalen Kimber is in the NCAA transfer portal
• January 12th, 2022 - Georgia WR Justin Robinson has requested to enter the portal according to sources.
• January 11th, 2022 - Georgia WR Jaylen Johnson has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal according to sources
• Janaury 11th, 2022 - Sources confirm DB, Ameer Speed has entered the NCAA Transfer portal

The conclusion of this season now sparks the conversation of players who are draft-eligible and could be leaving the program to chase their dreams of becoming an NFL player. It also creates the question of players who could possibly be returning for another season as a Georgia Bulldog, and with the additional year of eligibility granted by NCAA due to COVID-19, things are gonna get messy.

The following players listed below are ones who have obtained the required three years in college football and are eligible to enter the 2022 NFL draft:

• Warren McClendon, OL, RS Sophomore
• George Pickens, WR, Junior
• Nolan Smith, LB, Junior
• JT Daniels, QB, Junior
• Kenny McIntosh, RB, Junior
• Lewis Cine, S, Junior
• Nakobe Dean, LB, Junior
• Tykee Smith, DB, Junior
• Travon Walker, DL, Junior
• Warren Ericcson, OL, Junior
• John Fitzpatrick, TE, Senior
• James Cook, RB, Senior *declared for NFL Draft
• Zamir White, RB, Senior
• Quay Walker, LB, Senior
• Kearis Jackson, WR, Senior
• Ameer Speed, DB, Senior *Entered Transfer Portal
• Jaylen Johnson, WR, Senior *Entered Transfer Portal
• Derrion Kendrick, DB, Senior
• Stetson Bennett, QB, Senior
• Christopher Smith, DB, Senior
• William Poole, DB, Senior
• Robert Beal Jr, LB, Senior
• Latavious Brini, DB, Senior
• Channing Tindall, LB, Senior
• Justin Shaffer, OL, Senior
• Jamaree Salyer, OL, Senior
• Jake Carmada, P, Senior
• Julian Rochester, DL, Senior
• Devonte Wyatt, DL, Senior
• Jordan Davis, DL, Senior

As stated above, during last year's season all college athletes were granted an extra year of eligibility due to the chaos that the global pandemic created. Therefore, that means a player who has completed all four years as a college football athlete would still have another year of eligibility left at the college player.

This provides the opportunity for a player like Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett, who is currently a senior of the team, the ability to still return for the 2022-23 college football season.

Prior to last season, Georgia had a good number of players announce they would be returning for another season with the program instead of declaring for the draft. With a long list of draft-eligible players, it will be very interesting to see over the next month who decides to declare for the draft, third-year players who return, and those who take advantage of the extra year of eligibility that they have been granted.

Buckle up, because things are about to get very interesting in regards to how Georgia's roster shapes up for the upcoming season.

As for the Transfer Portal, Kirby Smart mentioned in his championship press conference and said that they are expecting quite a bit of portal movement as well, conversations that they've already had with players about leaving.

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