Georgia junior defensive back Damian Swann will return to play for the Bulldogs next season rather than declaring for early NFL draft entry, according to dawgs247.com. And what was expected to be a much more difficult decision in the preseason turned out to be an easy one, due in part to Swann's unexpected troubles in coverage this year.
"I don't think I was as successful as I was (in 2012)," Swann said. "I don't think I put the stats together to even make that decision on coming out. A guy like me, I want to be one of those first-round or first-two-rounds guys, and to do that, you have to put it on tape. I struggled a little bit. It's a part of the game. That's why they give you four years. ... That's what it's all about, making sure I'm ready and prepared to make that step."
So put off by his own performance was Swann, in fact, that he didn't even apply for feedback from the NFL Draft Advisory Board. The board gives underclassmen a general idea of where they might be drafted to help them make a more informed decision about whether to turn pro early. Swann, apparently, would rather not even know where he stands before turning the page to his final college season.
Swann intercepted four passes in 2012 while playing nickelback, but was moved to the "island" this year, defending receivers on the perimeter, and struggled. He made a team-high eight pass breakups and was fourth on the team in tackles with 56, but that was due in part because his play never deterred opposing quarterbacks from throwing in his direction.
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