Kirby Smart expresses optimism regarding Georgia RB situation

Running back has been a major storyline thus far during Georgia’s 2023 preseason camp. The Bulldogs reported to camp approximately 10 days ago knowing that one ball carrier would be significantly limited and another was coming off an ACL injury suffered almost exactly a year ago. Then there was another injury early on in camp but as of right now, Kirby Smart seems to feel at least decent about the situation.

In a meeting with reporters after Saturday’s first preseason scrimmage, Smart revealed that Branson Robinson still isn’t cleared after foot surgery in the spring although he is doing individual drills in practice. He also stated that Andrew Paul is still trying to regain his confidence after the knee surgery last August. Kendall Milton, who suffered a hamstring strain early in camp, is also trying to work his way back but Smart believes in those guys who are battling for a place at the table.

“Daijun [Edwards], Cash [Jones], Andrew Paul, Rod Robinson, Sevaughn Clark. That’s five guys. JD [Joseph Daniels], those guys all got reps,” Smart said after the scrimmage. “In terms of when the season starts, we’ll take a picture of what we have healthy and make a determination. Daijun is doing a great job. Cash Jones is doing a great job. I think Andrew Paul is still trying to get his confidence back. I don’t think he was 100 percent today. I think that was a big psychological hurdle for him to go out there and get tackled live. Rod had a real nice run and some good pickups lately.”

There isn’t a ton of experience in that group. Edwards has plenty but Paul and Robinson have never played in a College Football game and the walk-on duo of Jones and Clark have 24 combined carries. Milton returned for his fourth season at Georgia to be the lead back and Robinson, with Milton also banged up during spring drills, looked the part of a feature runner this spring before dealing with the foot ailment.

The Bulldogs aren’t strangers to this type of arrangement at the position. In 2018, Smart’s third as the head coach at UGA, Georgia had to get Kearis Jackson, a receiver, ready to play some running back just in case. Walter Grant, an outside linebacker, worked at running back the following camp due to injuries at the position.

Just last season Georgia had some issues. With Milton missing in action due to a soft-tissue injury, Paul done for the season, and Kenny McIntosh trying to cope with a deep thigh bruise, Branson Robinson was thrust into a bigger role where he flourished, falling a few rushing yards short of 100 against Auburn and scoring his first career touchdown.

Ultimately, when you’re dealing with injuries, everything is up in the air. Sure, there’s time for guys to heal and return to the field. There’s also time for others to get dinged up and for setbacks to occur. But Georgia fans might be encouraged to hear that Smart believes there’s a chance, although he wouldn’t reveal the size of it, that the Bulldogs can get to full strength in the backfield for the season opener.

“I still think sometime before the season – I don’t know when – Branson [Robinson] is going to be fine. Kendall is hopefully going to be fine. We got the backs that we got, and there’s ways to be creative around your running backs and use the skill players you have.”

I still think sometime before the season – I don’t know when – Branson [Robinson] is going to be fine,” Smart said after saying that Robinson is on track to return sooner than originally thought. “Kendall is hopefully going to be fine. We got the backs that we got, and there’s ways to be creative around your running backs and use the skill players you have.”