ATHENS — Keith Marshall has decided to end his Georgia career after this season, despite having one year of eligibility left.

Marshall, a redshirt junior, approached coach Mark Richt a few weeks ago to make final a decision he has mulled for awhile now. So Marshall will participate in Senior Day ceremonies before Saturday’s game against Georgia Southern.

“He thought that he’d like to declare this as his senior season, to which I said that’s fine. I blessed it,” Richt said. “Obviously he’s come in and played extremely well for us throughout his career. He’s going to be graduating. He just wants to go ahead and move on and take his shot at the NFL when this season is over. He wants to finish strong like the rest of the seniors, but he’ll be in the ceremony.”

This has always been a possibility, as Richt said last December – “if he plays next season and feels like it’s time to move on” – and Marshall confirmed in September that this could be his final year.

“I’ll cross that bridge when I get there,” Marshall said at the time.

Marshall is eligible for a fifth year after playing in less than four games in 2014 because of a knee injury. But he will not pursue the fifth year.

This year he’s rushed for 255 yards and three touchdowns in nine games, but didn’t play in Saturday’s win at Auburn because of an ankle injury.

“He fought back and he had some good runs this year, and he’s contributed really well to the team,” junior tailback Brendan Douglas said. “He’s just a good team leader too. We’re gonna miss him for sure.”

“Keith’s always been that guy that people gravitate to, that people listen to, because he’s just that type of talent and brings it every day,” senior tight end Jay Rome said. “He’s a workhorse. He’s always working hard, so people respect that about him.”

Georgia is due to return Nick Chubb (assuming he’s back from his knee surgery), Sony Michel, Douglas, A.J. Turman and Tae Crowder. And it has secured a commitment from highly-touted recruit Elijah Holyfield and continues to pursue Texas prospect Devwah Whaley.

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WATCH MARSHALL MORGAN’S REACTION TO HIS ROOMMATE’S ANNOUNCEMENT TO DECLARE: