Georgia football cornerback Eric Stokes announces decision on future

ATHENS — Georgia junior cornerback Eric Stokes has indicated he’s returning for his senior season, via his Twitter account on Monday night.

Let’s run it back again ! Coming back harder than ever before 🤫 pic.twitter.com/hW71SVIBms
— Eric Stokes Jr (@_jamane_) January 6, 2020

Stokes could be a preseason All-SEC selection and will likely be on the Thorpe Award Watch List for 2020 as one of the top defensive backs in the country.

Stokes is a 6-foot-1, 185-pounder from Covington who earned second-team All-SEC honors this season for the Bulldogs.

One of the fastest players on the Georgia team, Stokes has shown improvement each of the past three seasons.

Stokes was not a highly recruited player, garnering just three stars and a national ranking of 668, per the 247Sports composite.

A former high school state champ in the 100 meters, Stokes redshirted in 2017 before earning three starts in 2018 and taking over as a starter this past season.

Stokes had 38 tackles last season and showed sticky coverage skills

Stokes had a fumble-inducing hit on a quarterback sack against Tennessee, a play some felt was the defensive highlight of he year.

WATCH: Stokes makes one of Top 10 plays of Georgia football season

Georgia had the best defense in the SEC this season, leading the league in total defense, scoring defense and run defense, and ranking 15th in the nation in pass efficiency defense.

Safety Richard LeCounte announced on Saturday he’s coming back for his senior season, and defensive lineman Malik Herring has also said he’s returning for another season.

The Bulldogs also return cornerbacks Tyson Campbell and DJ Daniel.

Underclassmen have until Jan. 20 to declare themselves eligible for the NFL draft. A list of underclassmen approved for entry will be sent to NFL teams on Jan. 24.

The NFL draft evaluation process includes the East-West Shrine Game (select players Jan. 18, St. Petersburg, Fla.) and the Senior Bowl (select players, Jan. 25, Mobile, Ala.).

The NFL combine takes place Feb. 24-March 2 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

The University of Georgia will also hold a “Pro Day” combine in March, typically the week leading up to the start of spring drills.

The NFL Draft takes place April 23-25 in Las Vegas, Nevada.