Sedrick Van Pran simply sums up why he returned to Georgia football

ATHENS Sedrick Van Pran didn’t have to return to Georgia for another season. He was draft eligible and had already proven himself to be one of the best centers in the country.

Although Van Pran was seriously considering turning pro, he offered a simple reason why he decided to return to Georgia for another season.

Love for G, Van Pran said bluntly.

Van Pran started every game at center for Georgia the past two seasons. After returning for another year, Hell will become one of the faces of the program, even if he’d rather put the team before himself.

“Seds has wanted to be that guy since he stepped on campus, and I truly and solely believe that because he’s the voice you want in the center of your offense,” Georgia defensive lineman Zion Logue said. He’s another quarterback. He tells Carson, he tells Stetson what he was going to do. I think he’s really going to drive this team and he’s really the piece that we need.

I think having him come back to us can only help him and not hurt him. I think this year he’s going to come back and he’s going to maximize everything he puts on the court.

One new twist for Van Pran this coming season is that Georgia is looking for a new quarterback. Carson Beck, Brock Vandagriff and Gunner Stockton are all looking to replace Stetson Bennett.

Van Pran has played with several quarterbacks in the past as the Bulldogs traded between Bennett and JT Daniels for the 2021 season.

The talented center will be a huge asset to whoever steps up behind Van Pran.

I think everyone is unique, Van Pran said. It’s about relationships and knowing who’s behind you and who you’re dealing with. Honestly, I feel like I have a pretty good relationship with all those guys, so it doesn’t usually come up. All the more to be able to dictate who is who in the heat of the fire.

Georgia must replace both starting offensive tackles Broderick Jones and Warren McClendon for the NFL. The Bulldogs bring back both starting guards from last season’s team with Tate Ratledge and Xavier Truss alongside Van Pran. Georgia’s offensive line is also paying with heavy hearts this season after the tragic loss of offensive lineman Devin Willock. Van Pran was emotional when talking about Willock on Thursday, as the Georgia team had just hung Willock’s portrait in the Georgia offensive line room.

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Van Pran was one of Georgia’s permanent captains last season and is the only one of the four to return. It should be seen as a major boost for a Georgia program aiming to win a third straight national championship.

He wanted a chance to just leave one last mark and go out with a bang, running back Kendall Milton said. I’m excited because he’s also one of the players that makes my job easier. When he gives points to a lineman for run blocking, he makes my job easier because he makes things clear on offense.