Georgia running back Zamir White, who rushed for 779 yards and 5.4 yards per carry this past season, announced Wednesday afternoon that he will be returning to Athens for his redshirt junior season.
"Let's run it back!!" White posted on Twitter, adding the popular "Unfinished business" hashtag.
White has endured two ACL surgeries during his career - on his right knee as a high school senior and on his left knee that scratched his freshman season with the Bulldogs in 2018. The 6-foot, 210-pounder from Laurinburg, North Carolina, rushed for 408 yards and 5.2 yards per carry during the 2019 season, earning his first start for Georgia in the 26-14 victory over Baylor in the Sugar Bowl.
On a Zoom call that preceded Georgia's 24-21 topping of Cincinnati in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on New Year's Day, White was asked what has kept him going.
"I would say just being with my teammates makes it a lot better for me," White said. "They have been there for me, and I just love working hard with those guys. My coaching staff and my family have been there for me, so it's been great."
Nine of Georgia's primary offensive starters are expected back for next season, with center Trey Hill and right guard Ben Cleveland having announced their intentions for the NFL. White joined quarterback JT Daniels, receiver Kearis Jackson and left tackle Jamaree Salyer in recently electing to return.
Morris in portal
Tennessee sophomore offensive lineman Wanya Morris, the former five-star signee from the Atlanta suburb of Grayson, entered the NCAA transfer portal Wednesday.
The 6-5, 320-pounder was placed in COVID-19 isolation on three occasions since the summer, including two 14-day stints before the season opener, and started seven of the 10 games for the 3-7 Volunteers. Morris started at left tackle against Missouri, Georgia, Kentucky, Arkansas and Auburn but was the starting tight end against Florida and Texas A&M, when the Vols opened in jumbo packages.
In November, during a losing streak that would eventually reach six games, Morris said of the offensive front, "We're the cornerstone of this offense, and we take the blame."
Middleton returns
Vols senior defensive lineman Darel Middleton announced he would use the NCAA's extra season of eligibility in 2021, posting "Let's get back to the top" on Twitter.
Middleton played in nine games this past season, amassing 15 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. Another Tennessee senior defensive lineman, Matthew Butler, announced Monday that he would be returning to Knoxville.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524. Follow him on Twitter @DavidSPaschall.