Georgia linebacker Leonard Floyd is among four Bulldogs expected to return to college next year rather than entering the 2015 NFL Draft, giving coach Mark Richt at least one more season with one of the SEC's most athletic pass rushers.
Richt said he also expects linebacker Jordan Jenkins, wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell and offensive lineman John Theus to return as well, according to Dawgs247.com.
Floyd is only a sophomore, but because he spent a year at a prep school prior to enrolling at Georgia, he is among the Bulldogs' draft-eligible players. In Floyd and Jenkins, Georgia defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt returns his top two pass rushers. Floyd led the team with six sacks and added 17 quarterback hurries, while Jenkins was second on the team in sacks (4.5) with a team-high 23 hurries. They also forced five fumbles and had 17.5 tackles for loss between them.
Theus, a starting offensive tackle, and Mitchell will be key figures for the UGA offense next year. Mitchell was limited to eight games this season due to injury but still managed to rank third on the team in receiving with 28 catches for 229 yards.
Georgia running back Todd Gurley is expected to enter the draft as a junior but has yet to make an announcement. With the aforementioned returning, however, there is a strong possibility that Gurley will be Georgia's lone early-entry loss.
The Bulldogs will face Louisville Dec. 30 in the Belk Bowl.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread*
