Georgia junior left tackle Andrew Thomas and junior quarterback Jake Fromm have several months to decide whether the upcoming season will be their last in Athens.
Their respective choices will occur with significantly more knowledge about the transition to the NFL compared to heralded Georgia juniors of yesteryear such as A.J. Green, Todd Gurley and Matthew Stafford. Green and Gurley endured NCAA four-game suspensions during their junior seasons with the Bulldogs.
Thomas and Fromm were among the 25 college players who participated earlier this month at the NCAA's Elite Football Symposium in Indianapolis, which runs concurrently with the NFL scouting combine. The symposium was introduced just two years ago and is designed to help college players better understand the trying process that includes dealing with agents, maintaining eligibility and, after getting drafted, how to handle a staggering amount of money.
"It was a great time, and it was a little eye-opening," the 6-foot-5, 320-pound Thomas said this week in a news conference. "I learned a lot of things about financial literacy as far as NFL contracts. Once you get your contract, they take out 42 percent right off the bat.
"I didn't realize that."
The invitation-only symposium also included Auburn defensive lineman Derrick Brown, Clemson running back Travis Etienne, LSU safety Grant Delpit, Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor and a healthy contingent from Alabama: quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, receiver Jerry Jeudy and inside linebacker Dylan Moses.
Fromm said the three-day event also included a two-hour appearance at the combine.
"It's completely different from the perception you have from watching it on TV," Fromm said. "When you get there, it's super quiet, and it's cold in there. You just get your rep and go from there."
Thomas and Fromm are trying not to pay attention to their looming decisions, citing them as a distraction from their objective of leading the Bulldogs to a third consecutive Southeastern Conference Eastern Division title. Fromm admitted this week that his comfort level is at an all-time high, even with the transition from Jim Chaney to James Coley as his offensive coordinator.
With Thomas, the chief goal is developing an even better offensive line than last year's group that allowed a respectable 1.4 sacks per game and paved the way for 1,000-yard rushers D'Andre Swift and Elijah Holyfield. The Bulldogs return four of five starters up front, having to replace only center Lamont Gaillard.
"It's a big task, because center is a very important job, but we've got some talented guys," Thomas said. "Trey Hill is working there right now, and we'll see in practice how he does. We have a lot of vets around him, so whoever takes that spot will be OK."
Georgia coach Kirby Smart said this week that sophomore Jamaree Salyer (6-4, 325) and freshman Clay Webb (6-3, 290) are practicing at center in addition to Hill, a 6-4, 330-pound sophomore.
"We will have a lot of guys working there, but Trey is the guy who has been taking the most reps," Smart said, "and he's got some experience already, which is valuable."
The first-team line during Thursday's portion of practice that was open to the media had Thomas joined by Solomon Kindley at left guard, Hill at center, Ben Cleveland at right guard and Isaiah Wilson at right tackle. That was Georgia's second spring practice in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts.
Thomas earned Freshman All-America honors in 2017, when he was the starting right tackle for all 15 games. He started 13 of 14 games last season, missing only the 49-7 win over Middle Tennessee State due to an ankle injury he suffered the week before at South Carolina.
The journey has been fun so far for Thomas, who learned that might not always be the case in the NFL.
"It's really a business," Thomas said. "You have to come to work every day, because every day they are going to try and replace you."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.