Georgia Star Linebacker Roquan Smith Announces NFL Draft Decision
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 25: TaQuon Marshall #16 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets is tackled by Roquan Smith #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs on a run at Bobby Dodd Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
The Bulldogs' standout linebacker has made his decision.
It's decision day for Georgia star linebacker Roquan Smith. The All-American is off to the NFL.
Georgia announced this morning that Smith, a potential first-round pick, has declared for the 2018 NFL Draft. Today was the deadline for underclassmen to declare.
This doesn't come as much of a surprise, but still, it had been reported that Smith was considering returning for his senior season. It's a blow to Georgia's 2018 defense.
Smith said his decision to leave Georgia was "not easy."
“As you know this is somewhat of a crossroads for me,” Smith said in a released statement. “I’ve had discussions with coaches and family and a lot of thought and prayer. The decision to leave is not easy but I know it is the right one. Georgia will always be my school and my home and I sincerely wish all the best to the coaches, staff, and players as they continue to reach higher goals in the years to come.”
Smith was perhaps the best linebacker in college football in 2017. He was a unanimous All-American and won the Butkus Award, giving to the country's most-outstanding linebacker.
The latest 2018 NFL mock drafts have Smith going somewhere inside the top 15. He should be one of the top defenders taken.
