George Pickens declares for 2022 NFL Draft

Georgia wide receiver George Pickens has played his last game at UGA. The third-year pass catcher declared for the 2022 NFL Draft on Friday, just four days after the Bulldogs brought home their first National Championship since 1980.

“First of all, I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to play this game that I love. Without him, none of this would be possible. I want to thank my family and friends for all the support over the years leading up to this point,” Pickens wrote. “As a kid in Birmingham, I always dreamed of being in this position and it is happening right before my eyes. I made this decision to come to UGA because I wanted to be a National Champion and now, with my brothers, we have accomplished that goal and these moments I’ve shared here at UGA will stick with me forever.”

“I want to thank Ron Courson and the entire athletic training staff for the dedication they showed in getting me back on the field. They went over and beyond with the rehab process and I can’t say thank you enough. I want to thank Coach Smart and Coach Hankton for their support and mentorship over these last 3 years. They brought me in as family and I will always be appreciative,” he continued. “Lastly, I want to give a huge thank you and shout out to the best fans in the country,. Without you all, non of this would have happened. I am so glad we were able to bring a National Championship back home to you all. Thank you for the memories between the hedges. I am a DAWG for life! With that being said I am declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft and foregoing my senior year.”

Pickens, a native of Hoover, Ala. and former five-star, played two full seasons in Athens, hauling in a combined 90 receptions over the course of his career. As a freshman, he led the team in receiving with 49 catches for 727 yards and eight scores. That was capped off by a career-best performance in the Sugar Bowl against Baylor as he hauled in 12 passes for 175 yards. Then, returning as Georgia’s leading receiver in 2020, Pickens once again found himself near the top of the list for all receiving categories, tying with Kearis Jackson for the team-high in receptions (36) and finishing one yard shy of the top spot with 513 yards. He still had a team-high six touchdowns.

Pickens was expected to be the team’s top receiver once again headed into 2021 before he suffered a torn ACL during spring practice. After eight months of recovery, Pickens was able to make his season debut against Georgia Tech, catching one pass for five yards. He hauled in two passes for 41 yards, including a 37-yarder, in the SEC Championship Game before being limited to just one catch and nine yards in the Orange Bowl win over Michigan. In the National Championship Game against Alabama, Pickens once again came up with a long reception by making a diving catch for a pickup of 52, what will be the last of his Bulldog career.

With the departure of Pickens, alongside that of Jaylen Johnson and Justin Robinson to the transfer portal, Georgia has now lost three wide receivers this offseason. Kearis Jackson still faces a decision on whether he wants to return for his final year of eligibility, while the likes of of Jermaine Burton, Adonai Mitchell, Ladd McConkey, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint and Arian Smith all set to return, along with several talented tight ends. Furthermore, the Bulldogs signed four-star wide receivers De’Nylon Morrissette and Chandler Smith and three-star Cole Speer. Four-star Dillon Bell is committed and set to sign on February 2.

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