Georgia’s outlook for 2017 just got remarkably better, as junior running backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel have announced they will return for their senior seasons in 2017.

The Bulldog backfield duo declared their intentions during a Thursday press conference at the school.

“I’m beyond excited about coming back, we want to build it up to where it should be,” Chubb said during the press conference.

After three seasons in Athens, Chubb has rushed for 3,282 yards and 28 touchdowns while Sony Michel has chipped in 2,785 total yards from scrimmage and 20 touchdowns of his own. Both back’s impressive numbers come despite the fact Chubb played in only six games in 2015 after suffering a significant leg injury at Tennessee and Michel broke his forearm last July in an off the field incident.

During the press conference, Michel thanked his parents and Kirby Smart for helping him with his decision before adding the following comments.

“We can’t really think about the future too much, but I’m excited to come back,” Michel said. “We have a young team, we have a lot of growth, to be a part of this team, I’m very excited. In life, you can’t really focus too much on the future.”

Georgia opens the 2017 season in Sanford Stadium Sept. 2 against Appalachian State. The Bulldogs will do so with both Chubb and Michel opening their season seasons with the Dawgs.