Deandre Baker exit interview

Deandre Baker said he made a decision with his family weeks ahead of time not to play in the Sugar Bowl versus Texas.

“My heart wanted to play, but I had to make a business decision,” Baker said. “It was hard just to watch my team. They wanted me out there with them, but they understood I had bigger things. Just knowing I wouldn’t be able to be out there with them was hurting me.”

Potential injuries avoided, Baker then went on to prepare for the NFL draft. Despite missing the bowl game, Baker said his body of work on film would show the NFL scouts all they needed to know about his capabilities and production.

“The film speaks for itself,” Baker said.

Interestingly enough, Baker counts one of Georgia’s biggest losses this year as the game NFL scouts should watch.

“You could watch the LSU game,” Baker said. “It was one of my best games this year. We were down pretty much the whole game, but I kept fighting. I showed my will to keep working, never giving up, and my ball skills.”

Baker could have left early last year, but he felt that since 2017 was his first year as a starter, he needed to come back in 2018 and prove himself.

“I never second-guessed staying,” Baker said. “I learned a lot last season. There were a lot of areas I improved in. It helped me overall.”

Baker spent most of the season in man coverage, about 85 percent of the time by his reckoning.

That included his highly anticipated match-up with South Carolina’s Deebo Samuel.

“I had a good game,” Baker said. “Other than me dropping the ball on the one-yard line.There were just a few extra runs after practice. Well, a lot of extra runs after practice.”

Would you rather have a pick-6 at home in front of your fans, or on the road to quiet the opposing fans?

Baker: “A pick-6 on the road is the best feeling.”

Who is the best receiver you faced this year?

Baker: “Jerry Jeudy from Alabama.”

Who is the best receiver you faced in your career?

Baker: “Calvin Ridley is the best receiver I've faced in my career.”

Which team is Georgia’s biggest rival?

Baker: “I’d say Florida, because I'm from Florida, and I think that's the biggest rival other than Tennessee. I would love if it was a home-and-home and we could go beat them in their stadium.”

Thoughts on Jake Fromm?

Baker: “Jake is definitely an NFL prospect. The mental part of the game—he’s got that down pat. Before the play even starts, he knows what coverage you are in and what you want to do. His pre-snap reads are amazing.”

Thoughts on the black jerseys?

Baker: “We wanted to wear the black jerseys every week, but didn’t get the chance to.”

Do you think Kirby Smart will bring them out?

Baker: “Never. No time soon." [laughing]

Thoughts on D’Andre Swift?

Baker: “He is the best back in college football. By far. Just his change in direction. He can do everything. He can be a power back, a speed back. He can line up out wide. He can do it all. D’Andre Swift is the best running back right now in college.”

Can you catch him?

Baker: “Oh yeah.”