Brock Bowers on possibly getting touches at running back: 'I'm open to it'

Brock Bowers is a superstar tight end, but could he try his hand at running back? It’s more likely than you would think.

With how electric Bowers is with the ball in his hands, Georgia will be doing whatever they can to get it to him in 2023. Could that include simply handing it off to their tight end? When presented with the idea, Bowers didn’t exactly say no.

“I’d be open to it. I mean, it’s fun when you get the ball in your hands and try to make something happen,” Bowers said. “So if they tell me to go to running back, I’ll do whatever.”

Alas, that’s the perfect teammate answer from Bowers, as he’ll do whatever it takes to help the Bulldogs win. However, it seems like it could be a great idea from time to time. Why not get the ball in the hands of your best offensive player, doing it the easiest way to do so, by simply handing it to him? It all sounds well and good.

Brock Bowers will be used all over the field for Georgia in 2023, so we’re willing to get he’ll get a fair-share of handoffs, as well. What he does with them though, that’s the real fun of the whole affair.

Mike Bobo shares plan to get most out of Brock Bowers

Going into the 2023 season, few teams will have as big a weapon at tight end as Georgia with Brock Bowers, if any. New offensive coordinator Mike Bobo just has to figure out the best ways to use him.

Bowers served a dual role last year as a mismatch in the passing game and an occasional runner out of the backfield. Bobo didn’t shed any light on whether he might do more with Bowers or use him differently this fall, but he knows what kind of weapon he has at his disposal.

“No. 1, as a play-caller it’s about players and not plays,” Bobo said. “That’s No. 1. Your job as a play-caller, if a guy’s got a unique ability to make plays and plays that turn into explosives, we’ve got to do a good job as a staff of designing plays that get him touches.”

So Bowers will get his touches. He absolutely made the most of them a year ago, catching 63 passes for 942 yards and seven touchdowns, while also rushing nine times for 109 yards and three touchdowns.

The ability to take the ball on a handoff or an inside shovel pass really complicates things for defenses. They have to account for an additional ball-carrier from a non-traditional role. It strains the defense.

Above and beyond just that, though, Bowers is just really, really good. He works constantly to improve his craft.

“As far as getting the best out of Brock Bowers, you’re going to get the best out of Brock Bowers every single day,” Bobo explained. “He is not a guy that needs to be motivated. He’s locked in in every meeting, every walk-through. I’ve had the good fortune of sitting in the tight end meeting room last year. He’s a guy that coach Charlie would mention it one time, he got it. He did not need a lot of reps. He’s extremely smart and he’s very humble.”