Georgia RB Swift announces decision to enter NFL draft
Georgia running back DÁndre Swift, the team’s leading rusher for two straight decisions, is entering the NFL draft.
Swift, a junior, made his decision public on his Twitter account on Friday. The decision was expected after he led the Bulldogs with 1,218 yards rushing this season. It was his second straight season with more than 1,000 yards.
Swift says the decision came after he and his family “spent a considerable amount of time determining what’s best for me.”
Swift (5-9, 215) is expected to be one of the top running backs in the draft, even after he was limited by a left shoulder injury in the postseason. He had only one carry for two yards in Georgia’s Sugar Bowl win over Baylor.
Georgia is awaiting NFL decisions from other top players, including quarterback Jake Fromm.
Tennessee sure knows how to get out of a huge hole.
The Volunteers scored twice in a 30-second span late, using an onside kick to help escape a 13-point deficit, and then held on to stun Indiana 23-22 in the Gator Bowl on Thursday night.
The rally was indicative of Tennessee’s season, which started 1-4 and ended with six consecutive wins.
“Everybody in the country had given up on these guys,” second-year coach Jeremy Pruitt said.
Pruitt was talking about the season. He could have been talking about the game.
The Hoosiers (8-5) looked to be in control in the second half after scoring two touchdowns in a 1:03 span, the second one coming on Jamar Johnson’s 63-yard interception return, and later adding a pair of field goals.
Indiana was up 22-9 before Tennessee (8-5) shocked most of the nearly 62,000 fans on hand.
Quavaris Crouch scored on a 1-yard plunge and then fellow running back Eric Gray recovered a surprise onside kick that barely went the mandatory 10 yards. Gray scored from 16 yards out a few plays later to put the Vols on top for good.
“Obviously, very very disappointing to have a fourth-quarter lead and let it slip away,” said Indiana coach Tom Allen,
whose team was seeking its first nine-win season since 1967. “I’m not going to sit here and point fingers and blame. At the end of the day, it’s my responsibility for us to find a way to win the game. We didn’t do that.”
Gray was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “When adversity hits, you got to put on more steam.”
Logan Justus missed an extra point in the third quarter that turned out to be costly and was wide right on a 52yard field goal attempt with 2:12 remaining. Justus’ kick had the distance but sailed just outside the right upright.
Tennessee punted with 1:02 remaining, but Indiana failed to get back into field goal range.
Indiana: The Hoosiers have to find a replacement for offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer, who stayed for the bowl game after getting the head coaching job at Fresno State. DeBoer gets much of the credit for Indiana’s offensive turnaround.
Tennessee: Jarrett Guarantano is far from guaranteed to be the team’s starting quarterback next season, especially after a two-interception performance. The Vols signed Harrison Bailey from Marietta (Ga.) High, and the incoming freshman is expected to enroll this month and compete for the job in spring practice.
Tennessee receiver Jauan Jennings, who was suspended for the first half for stepping on an opponent in the regular-season finale, had to wait until the fourth quarter to touch the ball. Jennings had receptions of 22 and 5 yards, setting up the first of the two late touchdowns.