NFL Draft 2012: Orson Charles Only Georgia Player Leaving Early, Mark Richt Confirms

Jan 13 3:19p by Jason Kirk

At a Friday afternoon press conference, a beaming Mark Richt announced his entire junior class is returning for another year with the Georgia Bulldogs, save tight end Orson Charles, who has a chance to be drafted in the second round. That's not a surprise, as linebacker Jarvis Jones and others have already made it known they'll stay, and there have been reports of returns for others.

But still! As Doug Gillett detailed this morning, it's not often a team as talented as Georgia gets to return so much talent that could be cashing in. Combine that with a rising recruiting class and a relatively squishy schedule, and expectations are only going to keep going up for the 2012 Dawgs.

Richt also confirmed quarterback Hutson Mason will stick around instead of transferring. Mason told the Marietta Daily Journal he plans to redshirt in 2012, setting up a chance to take over once Aaron Murray moves along.

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