Orson Charles Leaving Georgia For 2012 NFL Draft, According To Report

By Jonathan Tjarks - Newsdesk contributor

The All-American is currently projected as a second-rounder and one of the best TE's available in the 2012 NFL Draft.

In disappointing but not terribly surprising news for Georgia fans hoping for an SEC championship in 2012, junior TE Orson Charles has reportedly declared for the 2012 NFL Draft:

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Georgia TE Orson Charles will announce at 2 ET he is entering NFL Draft

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Charles, an athletic 6'3 241 TE, made several All-American teams this season, emerging as one of QB Aaron Murray's favorite targets while catching 45 balls for 574 yards and 5 TD's.

According to the latest Big Board from SBNation's Mocking The Draft, Charles is the No. 53 draft prospect in the country and the second-rated TE, behind only Clemson's Dwayne Allen.

He is currently projected as a second-rounder, with Dan Kadar noting that he improved as a blocker in his third season in Athens. However, many NFL teams may consider taking advantage of his versatility by lining him up in the slot, in the same way that the New England Patriots use the duo of Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski.

According to the ESPN report, Charles wanted to fulfill a life-long dream of playing in the NFL while helping out his family and not risking injury in a possible senior season.