Though Georgia RBs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel are only juniors, both are talented enough to declare for the 2017 NFL Draft if they so choose.

However, on his radio show on Thursday, first-year coach Kirby Smart said he’s still not sure what the talented duo plans to do, according to DawgNation.com:

“We’re hopeful that we can get those guys back, but we know Nick and Sony will have an opportunity in the NFL,” Smart said. “So time will tell.”

He added that it’s still early in the fact-finding process, where the likely draft position of the players will be evaluated:

“I think after the bowl game, that’s the time to really approach that. We take time in between the bowl game and right now to visit, discuss where things are, to gather information,” Smart said. “That’s the most important thing, and I’ve discussed with them, that’s the critical factor. …

“We as coaches, we see it over and over every year, we see guys make good decisions, bad decisions. We have to help them. And we have people that assist our staff, outside organizations that assist our staff, contact the NFL to give us accurate information, so they can make the best decision possible. Not just them, but each guy on our team that would have that opportunity.”

The Bulldogs have freshmen Elijah Holyfield and Brian Herrien, along with a pair of highly-touted recruits, ready to fill in if they lose one or both of their talented running backs.