Georgia running back stock soaring up during fall camp
ATHENS, Ga. — There might not be a position group in the country that’s had a bigger glow up this early into fall camp than Georgia’s running back room.
The Bulldogs entered the preseason excited about Florida transfer Trevor Etienne. Second-year Roderick Robinson provided enough in the spring to feel good about him too. However, beyond that, questions remained.
Would the UGA backfield be a two-man show? What would happen if one of them got hurt? Who might emerge as a third option at running back?
Less than two weeks into camp, the answers to those questions are certainly becoming clearer. Yes, Etienne and Robinson still are in the picture, but the emergence of freshman Nate Frazier and return of Branson Robinson to the practice field after he suffered a season-ending injury this time last year has changed the narrative that surrounds the running backs.
“Well we have more depth than we had last year at this time,” Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said about the position group on Thursday ahead of the first scrimmage. “We were dealing with a couple injuries in camp. We’ve got more depth at that position, which has allowed us, one, we’re not wearing down our guys. We’re able to space out the reps, which you’ve got to always be careful of.”
“You see a group of guys that pay attention to Coach Crawford. They don’t mind being coached hard,” he added. “They’re picking it up day by day. You see guys that do a good job in the run game and have traits in the passing game, which is what you look for in a running back. All those guys have done a nice job and continue to work. I’m pleased with that group.”
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart gave a more detailed look when he was asked the question, going player by player and providing an assessment of their skills.
“I’m excited about the room,” Smart said. “You know, Rod is a guy that took a ton of reps last year for us in a position of being on the team. He’s had a great offseason. Branson we talked about it, he’s back. Cash (Jones) has been a veteran leader in that room. The young guys that are coming back that we just signed that had great summers, whether that be Nate, Dwight (Phillips) or Chauncey (Bowens). I think we’ve got a room of good backs that are as talented as we’ve had, but inexperienced. Trevor does a great job of leading that room and holding people to a standard.”
Georgia’s inexperience won’t change between now and kickoff against Clemson on August 31st (12:00 p.m. ET, ABC). However, having the number of options the Bulldogs do certainly helps alleviate the load on any one individual. Rather than the pressure all falling upon the shoulders of the First-Team All-SEC selection Etienne, he’s got some help.
