ATHENS — Georgia knows it will return four key players who are passing on the NFL draft. But a couple other decisions are still lingering.

Safeties Dominick Sanders and Aaron Davis are mulling their options, head coach Kirby Smart acknowledged Tuesday. Neither was among the four players who announced last Thursday they would return in 2017.

Sanders, a three-year starter and first-team All-SEC pick last year, is thinking about entering the NFL draft. He declined to talk about his future plans last month, prior to the Georgia Tech game, and so far has not been available to the media during bowl practice.

Sanders, a 6-foot, 189-pound safety, has started 37 of 38 games since he arrived at Georgia, the only non-start being when he was serving a targeting suspension. He enters the Liberty Bowl with 31 tackles and three interceptions. He has 12 career interceptions, four off the the school record.

Davis, a former walk-on who graduated last week, has one more year of eligibility. He has started 10 games this year, and 29 in his career.

“We talked to those guys. And I think each one of them will come to the conclusion, come to a decision when it comes time,” Smart said. “I think those four other guys just are really comfortable with their decision, and felt really good about it and were ready to come forward. That doesn’t mean those other guys aren’t. It just means those other guys aren’t ready to do that.

“We’ve had conversations with them (Sanders and Davis) since those four (announced). So it’s kind of an ever-evolving process.”