Branson Robinson focused on return to form with impressive mentality
Hopes were high for Georgia running back Branson Robinson entering 2023. As a freshman, the former nation’s No. 2 ball carrier for the Class of 2022 showed flashes of what could be for him. He totaled 330 yards on 68 carryings, finding the end zone a trio of times including twice in the National Championship Game. With Kenny McIntosh out the door to the NFL and a year of experience under his belt, it was understandable to expect big things from him as a sophomore. However, a ruptured patella tendon in fall camp kept him sidelined for the whole season and now has folks having to hit reset on their dreams for Robinson, at least for the time being.
“He’s a little overweight right now, but that’s to be expected because he can’t run yet,” Robinson’s position coach Dell McGee said prior to the Orange Bowl in December. “He’s doing everything he can from a rehab standpoint to make himself the best version of himself.”
“He’ll try to do everything to get back,” McGee added. “He may try to do too much because that’s the type of person he is. He was telling me the other day, ‘Man, I feel good. I feel like I can run.’ I was like, ‘Man, you better chill out because you’ve got to do exactly what the doc and the trainers are telling you to do. Don’t rush it.'”
McGee is not quite sure what the time table for Robinson’s return might be. Just as he told Robinson to do with the rehab, he’s leaving that up to the doctors and training staff. He’s not expecting to see a full speed Robinson available anytime soon however with spring practice on the horizon.
“He’ll be rehabbing and getting the mental part of the game. He’ll be in every meeting like he has been the entire year. That part hasn’t changed,” McGee said. “He’s very motivated. He takes notes like he’s a starter right now. Love his work ethic, love his drive. He has that — y’all have said it before, but a Nick Chubb kind of mentality. He’s just a different guy when it comes to just trying to get back and prepare himself from a physical and mental standpoint.”
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Georgia, knowing it’ll take time for Robinson to get back to full speed, went out and added four running backs during the offseason. The departures of Kendall Milton and Daijun Edwards also play a part in the necessity for newcomers.
The Bulldogs signed three in the Class of 2024 – Nate Frazier, Chauncey Bowens and Dwight Phillips – to get them back to their “quota” for the position, a number that they’ve been under for a few years now and felt the impact of it with several injuries. Then, in the transfer portal period, they also made an effort to bring in a proven veteran, adding Florida transfer Trevor Etienne. Still, McGee says he’s counting on Robinson in some capacity for 2024.
“Always, but I can’t predict the future, I don’t have a crystal ball. We had to do what’s necessary as an organization to make sure we are ready for this brutal schedule.”
Georgia is expected to begin spring practice on mid-March with four scholarship backs available (Etienne, Bowens, Andrew Paul and Roderick Robinson), plus a multitude of walk-ons including Cash Jones and Len’Neth Whitehead. Branson Robinson will continue his rehab while Frazier and Phillips won’t enroll until the summer.
