UGA's Ken Malcome decides to leave

Georgia running back Ken Malcome announced Wednesday that he is transferring to another school for his final two seasons.

Photo by Contributed Photo /Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Georgia third-string tailback Ken Malcome has decided to play his final two seasons at another school.

The 6-foot, 226-pounder from the Atlanta suburb of Decatur rushed for 274 yards (4.8 per carry) and two touchdowns this past season as a redshirt sophomore. He started the 2012 opener against Buffalo but was quickly supplanted by the touted freshman combination of Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall.

Gurley rushed for 1,385 yards (6.2 per carry) and Marshall added 759 (6.5), and Malcome played in only 10 of Georgia's 14 games.

"I have made this decision because I think I can get more playing time some place else," he said. "I have enjoyed my time at Georgia and appreciate the opportunity that Coach [Mark] Richt and the other coaches have given me here. I look forward to my next challenge."

Malcome rushed for 174 yards during the 2011 season and made two starts in what was a turbulent year for Bulldogs tailbacks. Malcome quit the team for a day before returning, and he was suspended for the New Mexico State game along with Isaiah Crowell and Carlton Thomas after all three tailbacks reportedly failed drug tests.

"We are very appreciative of Ken's contributions to our program and will certainly assist him any way we can in finding a school to continue his career," Richt said. "We wish him nothing but the best."

Georgia will enter spring practice with Gurley, Marshall and former walk-on Brandon Harton at the tailback position.

Odds and ends

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said Wednesday that Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray made a "really good solid decision" in coming back for his senior season. Kiper had Murray as a fourth-round projection in the upcoming draft but said he could be a second-round pick in 2014. ... The official website of the Philadelphia Eagles mentioned Bulldogs defensive coordinator Todd Grantham as a potential candidate for the same role with the NFL team, but the story was removed from the site before the Eagles announced Oregon's Chip Kelly as their new head coach.