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Georgia Bulldogs Countdown to Kickoff: Day 35

On3 imageby:Wes Blankenship•07/30/22
On3 image
27 Oct 2001 : Verron Haynes of Georgia cradles the ball during the game against Florida at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. Florida won 24-10. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons/Allsport

We have 35 days between us and the Georgia by God Bulldogs playing the Oregon Ducks in Atlanta. Obviously, the number 35 in Georgia football lore is all about Verron Haynes.

First, let me address the elephant in the room. In a literal / figurative sense.

I hope I didn’t trigger any recruiting nuts who still happen to be bummed that Haynes’s son, 2023 Georgia running back Justice Haynes, committed to Alabama instead of the Dawgs.

And yes, Alabama jumped Georgia to the top of the 2023 recruiting class rankings with another running back commitment from Richard Young, who had the Bulldogs in his top three.

But if you’ve followed Kirby Smart in recruiting, you know his recruiting classes aren’t over until they’re over.

And there’s always the transfer portal.

Until then, let’s look at the Haynes who did play for Georgia football. He knew a thing or two about transferring his running back talents from another school to Georgia.

Haynes’s career was even bigger than a big ol’ Hobnail Boot.

Haynes transferred from Western Kentucky to Georgia

A North Springs high school alum, Verron Haynes had to get out of Western Kentucky.

Even if it meant he was a walk-on at first. Haynes eventually picked up a scholarship and played fullback (RIP, sweet position) for head coach Jim Donnan.

His stats were… well, the fullback stats for a couple of seasons.

One rush, one yard in 1999.

10 rushes, 46 yards and a touchdown in 2000.

Then, Mark Richt showed up in his first season as Georgia’s head football coach in 2001, and the rest is Running Back U history.

(Yeah, even though he was a fullback, I think they’ll still claim him in the RBU annals.)

Haynes became the premier back in the Bulldogs’ rushing attack.

He split carries with Musa Smith, who was the more traditional running back.

Haynes still finished with more rushing attempts (Haynes: 126 / Smith: 119), receptions (Haynes: 19 / Smith: 10), total touchdowns (Haynes: 9 / Smith: 6) and total yards (Haynes: 933 / Smith: 635).

Obviously, Smith is known for the Hobnail. And who wouldn’t want to be. But don’t lose sight of the offensive explosion Mark Richt put him in position to be in an exciting first season as head coach.

Recent Georgia Bulldogs Countdown to Kickoff Stories

No. 36 – One final look at a bunch of Dawgs transfers

No. 37 – Dawgs over Hawgs

No. 38 – Marcus makes his mark

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