Georgia Bulldog Spring Preview: Running Backs
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ATHENS - “Running Back University” is alive and well in Athens, Georgia as Kirby Smart, Dell McGee and the Georgia Bulldogs should once again have one of the best running back rooms in college football in 2023.
They’ll need to replace starter Kenny McIntosh who was a real weapon for the Bulldogs in the passing game, catching 43 passes for 505 yards last year. Someone will have to step up in that area to replace McIntosh’s productivity, but that’s about the only real question mark that Georgia has at running back heading into the spring. They don’t exactly have a “speedster” in the room either, but that’s far from the end of the world.
Here’s who the Bulldogs have returning in 2023...
Kendall Milton
The 2nd-leading returning rusher from last season, Milton is a tackle-breaking back who is looking like the back we thought he’d be out of high school. It hasn’t been an easy road for Milton, but last year he had his best season as a Bulldog, rushing for 590 yards on 86 carries for an average of 6.9 yards per rush. He also rushed for 8 touchdowns, 3rd on the team last year behind Kenny McIntosh and Stetson Bennett.
This will be Milton’s fourth season in Athens, so expectations are high for the powerful 6-foot-1 220-pounder. He’s extremely strong in the lower-body and dependable in short-yardage situations, moving the pile and always falling an extra yard or two while being tackled to the ground. Look for Milton to get plenty of carries next fall as one of the team’s leading backs.
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Daijun Edwards
One of the biggest breakout players on offense last year, the quiet back does his job consistently and runs hard with each carry. The Moultire native and former Colquitt County star was the team’s 2nd-leading rusher last year, carrying the ball 139 times for 771 yards and 7 touchdowns. He also found a way to make plays out of the backfield, catching 14 passes for 101 yards. He’s tough as nails, he’s shifty, has great vision, and knows how to break tackles. Like Milton, Edwards is also great around the goal-line and in short-yardage situations.
Edwards’ role should only increase next year, and he should make a bigger impact in the passing game with McIntosh leaving for the NFL. He’s played better and better each season, so look for Edwards to have a big impact on the offense once again in 2023.
Brandon Robinson
A breakout candidate on offense next fall, it’s only a matter of time before Robinson turns into one of college football’s best running backs. A strong, physical, tackle-breaking back out of Mississippi, Robinson was a standout back out of high school and one of the nation’s best from the 2022 class. In a backup role last year, the big 5-foot-10 220-pounder showed the ability to break tackles and take off for a big run on any particular carry. He flashed some “Nick Chubb-style” runs last year, showing off plenty of burst to go with his physical running style. If he can stay healthy, Robinson should see a much bigger role in the offense next fall. As a true freshman last year, Robinson rushed for 330 yards and three touchdowns. He ended the season on a high note against TCU, rushing for 42 yards and two touchdowns.
Andrew Paul
Another young back with the potential to make a big impact down the road, Paul missed the entiree season last year due to an off-season injury, but when he’s healthy, it’s easy to see the potential Paul brings to “Running Back University”. A late addition to Georgia’s 2022 class, Paul dominated as a senior in high school, rushing 271 times for an eye-opening 2,616 yards and an incredible 41 touchdowns. He’s a bigger, physical back with breakaway speed, there’s a lot to like about Pauls’ game. He has easy SEC-caliber size at 5-foot-11 220-pounds and will look to make an impact in his second season next fall. Sources say he looked great during practice last year before his injury, so don’t be surprised if he impresses at some point during the 2023 season.
Roderick Robinson
Another big, physical back and one of the heaviest on the roster already at 6-foot-1 230-pounds, Robinson is a bowling ball who has no problem shedding tackles while carrying defenders down the field. He’s tough, runs hard, and ran through defenses on a weekly basis as a senior in the San Diego area, rushing for 2,378 yards and 37 touchdowns, leading his Lincoln team to a state championship. He’s physically ready to play in the SEC and could see some carries come his way in garbage time next fall.
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