Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno are leaving Athens for greener pastures.

Georgia’s junior quarterback and redshirt sophomore tailback announced Wednesday that they will forego further seasons as Bulldogs in favor of the NFL draft.

“Anybody who’s out there thinking about drafting these guys, you’ll do well by drafting these guys as high as you can get them,” head coach Mark Richt said smiling. “And trade up for them if you’ve got to.”

Stafford, Georgia’s all-time single season touchdown leader, is regarded as a potential No. 1 overall pick, while Moreno, who rushed for the most yards for a Bulldog freshman not named Herschel Walker in 2007, is touted as a mid-first round pick and the most NFL-ready back to enter this year’s draft.

“It was a tough decision for me, but I’m also going to go to the NFL and see what that has to offer for me,” Stafford said. “Like Knowshon it’s been a lifelong dream for me.”

Stafford improved greatly after a disappointing freshman season behind center in which he threw nine touchdowns against 17 interceptions. He led the Bulldogs to a 27-7 record and three bowl victories as a starter during his Bulldog career while passing for 7,731 yards and 51 scores, putting him third all-time at Georgia.

Moreno ran for 1,400 yards and 18 touchdowns this season, and was a Doak Walker Award finalist and second-team All-American. Over his two-year stint in Athens, he ran for 2,734 yards and 40 touchdowns, ranking him fourth all-time at Georgia.

Moreno said just the opportunity to perform at the next level and the physical nature of his position were the primary factors in his decision.

“I may only have a few carries left in me,” he said laughing. “You never know what’s going to happen.”

The departure of Stafford and Moreno no doubt dampers the Bulldogs’ chances for redemption and validation of this year’s preseason No. 1 rank.

Long-time backup quarterback Joe Cox will be a senior next season and RIcht said he is No. 1 on the depth chart until someone knocks him off. He saw action in three games this season, going 11-for-15 for 151 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

The Bulldogs will also welcome freshman quarterback Aaron Murray, regarded as their top recruit for the 2009 class and the Georgia quarterback of the future.

Moreno’s void will be filled by the sophomore tandem of Caleb King and Richard Samuel, who both saw action in 11 games this year. King toted the ball 61 times for 247 yards while Samuel had 26 carries for 137 yards.