Georgia junior safety Reshad Jones, who was on the verge of entering the NFL draft a year ago, will do so this time and forgo his senior season at UGA, he confirmed late Monday night.

Although he changed his mind on the draft decision a couple of times last year, he indicated he is firm in his choice this time.

"I know I'm ready," he said.

For weeks, most people around the UGA program have expected Jones and junior linebacker Rennie Curran to enter the 2010 NFL draft. Curran could announce his decision as soon as today.

Factors pushing Curran toward the draft include financial (he has a 1-year-old daughter) and the fact that the biggest knock against his NFL potential (his height) won't change with another year of college.

The NFL deadline for eligible underclassmen to enter the draft is Jan. 15, but Curran has indicated he would prefer to make an announcement before spring-semester classes begin at UGA on Thursday.

Jones, from Atlanta, started all 13 games for Georgia this season, making 73 tackles and intercepting a team-high four passes. The highlight of his season was a superb performance in a 30-24 victory over Georgia Tech.

After drawing much criticism for his play against the Yellow Jackets in 2008, he made amends in 2009. His dazzling one-handed interception of a Tech pass at Georgia's 43-yard line in the second quarter set up a UGA touchdown drive.

"This game was real personal for me," Jones said afterward. "I wanted redemption. . . . This is as sweet as it gets."

In Georgia's Independence Bowl victory over Texas A&M, Jones had a 59-yard interception return to the Aggies 28-yard line late in the third quarter, leading to a touchdown. It was the 11^th and final interception of Jones' UGA career.

AJC