Georgia running back Todd Gurley (3), fullback Alexander Ogletree (46), and guard Mark Beard (79) celebrate in Athens, Ga. , in this 2012 file photo.

Georgia senior offensive tackle Mark Beard was back Friday morning doing winter workouts with the Bulldogs.

Beard announced Thursday that he was planning to graduate in May before transferring to play his final season elsewhere. He had a quick change of heart, asking to return to the team, and had his request granted by coach Mark Richt.

"Sometimes making a decision and living it out are two different things," Richt said Friday. "As I've mentioned before, the same thing happened to me. As a player, I told my coach I had decided to leave for what I thought were all the right reasons. But after a few days, I realized it was a bad decision and asked to come back.

"He took me back, and I'm happy Mark will still be part of our program."

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.