Georgia DB Deandre Baker

Deandre Baker told reporters on Wednesday that he was honored just to be considered for the 2018 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the nation's top defensive back. A day later, the Miami native brought home the hardware.

The senior cornerback beat out the likes of Notre Dame cornerback Julian Love and LSU cornerback Greedy Williams and was announced as the winner at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show. The show took place at the College Football Hall of Fame and Baker was the only player representing Georgia at the event. He becomes the first Bulldog to ever win the award. Roquan Smith became the first Georgia linebacker to win the Butkus Award a year ago.

Baker has been named first-team All-SEC by the Associated Press and league coaches already after earning that distinction from the coaches and league media before the start of the season. He was hesitant to accept all the credit when he spoke with reporters just 24 hours ago.

"It's a big accomplishment for me," Baker said. "I just want to thank my d-line (Jonathan) Ledbetter and D'Andre Walker. I want to give them a shoutout."

His time as a starter has lasted two-plus years with both his junior and senior seasons being near dominant. Continually drawing the best receiver on the other team, Walker played a huge role in shutting down talented wideouts Deebo Samuel (South Carolina), Van Jefferson (Florida), Emanuel Hall (Missouri) and Kalija Lipscomb (Vanderbilt). Alabama receiver and Biletnikoff Award candidate Jerry Jeudy caught just three passes for 24 yards in the SEC Championship game with Baker being his primary defender. One of those passes as a 10-yard touchdown against UGA nickel defender Tyrique McGhee.

Baker has racked up 84 tackles, 18 pass breakups, five interceptions and three tackles for a loss during the past two seasons. In addition to putting up big numbers, Baker has also shown tremendous commitment to his teammates.

He elected to come back for his senior season instead of testing 2018 NFL Draft waters and told reporters that it was because he had some unfinished business in Athens. That had everything to do with how Georgia's 26-23 loss to Alabama in the 2017 National Championship game.

Unfortunately for Baker and UGA, the Bulldogs came up just short against the Crimson Tide under a week ago in the SEC Championship game, but once again he has found a way to show his support of the program. Baker made it known Wednesday that he plans to play in the Sugar Bowl when UGA takes on Texas on January 1 (8:45 p.m. ET on ESPN).

"It played a big role," Baker said. "I want to finish with a W for my team in my last game as a Bulldog."

Baker was posed with that question at the College Football Hall of Fame because nine other players have already announced that they will be sitting out their final game. Williams, viewed as many as Baker's primary competition for the Thorpe Award, is one of those players.