Georgia coach Kirby Smart got some great news Thursday when star running backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel announced they would return as seniors for the 2017 season.

Chubb's first season back from knee injury was solid, but not spectacular as he rushed for 988 yards and seven touchdowns on 207 carries. Michel, a year after rushing for more than 1,000 yards in Chubb's place, had 753 yards and three touchdowns on 137 carries in 11 games.

With freshman quarterback Jacob Eason making strides toward the end of the season and a full offseason ahead of him, and Chubb and Michel returning, Georgia's offense for next season appears to be among the strongest in the SEC East.

The biggest question for the Bulldogs is whether the offensive line can improve to allow the offense to take advantage of all of those weapons. The Georgia line ranked 103rd nationally in adjusted line yards this past season, per Football Outsiders, and that limited the effectiveness of the rushing attack despite having talented backs.

Along with Chubb and Michel, outside linebackers Lorenzo Carter and Davin Bellamy also will return for their senior seasons. Bellamy led the Bulldogs with eight tackles for loss, was fifth on the team in tackles with 49 and was tied with Carter for the team lead with four sacks. Carter was ninth in tackles with 37 and third in tackles for loss with five.

Getting those four players back will bolster the Bulldogs' roster on both sides of the ball and is a big win for Smart heading into his second season after a disappointing 7-5 first campaign in Athens.