Another day, another star player is sidelining himself for his school’s postseason game.
Following Georgia’s loss to Alabama in the SEC championship game earlier this month, Deandre Baker told reporters that he intended to play in UGA’s bowl game even as he’s leaving Athens for the NFL draft after exhausting his eligibility. With a date with Texas in the Allstate Sugar Bowl fast approaching, however, Kirby Smart confirmed Thursday that Baker has reversed course and will not play in the New Year’s Six game.
Baker did make the trip to the New Orleans for the game with the rest of the team.
Deandre Baker will NOT play in the Sugar Bowl, per Kirby Smart.
— Seth Emerson (@SethWEmerson) December 27, 2018
One of the top cover-corners in the country, Baker took home the 2018 Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back. He’s widely expected to be one of the first corners off the board in the April NFL draft.
