A Look Ahead: The Top Running Backs Georgia's Defense Will Face In 2026
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ATHENS - Kirby Smart’s defense will have a tough task ahead of them in 2026.
The Dawgs were second-best in the SEC last year defending the run and will need to be at their best if they want to slow down several of the nation’s top running backs this upcoming season.
The first back that comes to mind is Ahmad Harvey at Missouri. The league’s leading running back last season, the 5-foot-11 210-pounder ran for 1,650 yards and 16 touchdowns, averaging 6.5 yards per carry. The Tigers will be breaking in a new starting quarterback so look for them to continue evolving their run game with Harvey and veteran Jamal Roberts, a physical back who ran for a respectable 6.1 yards per carry. The Missouri ground game could be one of the best Georgia will face this upcoming season.
Of course, Georgia fans know all about Kewan Lacy at Ole Miss. One of the nation’s top running backs heading into the 2026 season, Lacy is a 5-foot-11 205-pounder returning to Oxford after a giant season last fall, rushing for 1,567 yards and 24 touchdowns. He ran for just under 100 yards and two touchdowns against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl and ran for over 100 against an elite Miami defense in the Fiesta Bowl. Look for the Bulldogs to have a clear plan in place to stop the dynamic Rebels running back this November.
The Gators will be under new leadership in Gainesville but they’ll have star running back Jadan Baugh back on the roster this fall. One of the more productive backs across the SEC last year, Baugh is a powerful back at 6-foot-1 230-pounds from Atlanta who ran for 1,170 yards and 8 touchdowns for Florida last fall. Baugh ran for 72 yards and one touchdown during the Gator’s 24-20 loss to Georgia in 2025.
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Over in Atlanta the Yellow Jackets are counting on Michigan transfer Justice Haynes to take over the ground game in 2026. The Georgia native and former Alabama running back is coming off a strong 2025 season for the Wolverines where he ran for over 850 and 10 touchdowns in seven games. Last season Georgia held their in-state rival to just 69 rushing yards during their 16-9 win in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
After that, things get a little easier for the Bulldog defense. The Oklahoma Sooners couldn’t run the ball last year, ranking 13th in the SEC in rushing yards per game (118). The Sooners return their two leading backs from last season, Tory Blaylock and Xavier Robinson, who combined for around 900 yards and eight touchdowns. They also added depth pieces from the portal, but overall, Oklahoma’s running game isn’t scaring anyone heading into the 2026 season.
Let’s talk about Alabama. The Tide simply could not run the ball at all last year and will be prioritizing that in fall camp. Daniel Hill is a big veteran back at 240-pounds who is expected to play a big role this fall. They have other talented backs with promise on the roster, but sources say five-star freshman Ezavier Crowell is someone who could help them out immediately.
Then there’s South Carolina. After an embarrassing 2025 season for the Gamecocks on offense, new offensive coordinator Ken Briles will try to turn things around. Veteran quarterback LaNorris Sellers may be the ‘Cock’s biggest weapon on the ground, but they also have Matthew Fuller, a 220-pound Jesup, Georgia native hoping to have a big 2026 season along with Texas transfer Christian Clark and Penn State transfer Jabree Coleman. The Gamecock’s didn’t scare anyone on the ground last year and they’ll have to be at their best if they want to take down the ‘Dawgs in Columbia.
The Vanderbilt Commodores need to run the ball as much as anyone in the league this fall. With freshman quarterback Jared Curtis leading the way at quarterback, the ‘Dores will rely heavily on returning backs Sedrick Alexander and MahKilin Young to make things easier for Curtis. Last year Alexander ran for 567 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. Young ran for over 400 yards with six touchdowns as well.
The Arkansas Razorbacks are starting a new era this fall with a new coaching staff and a new ground game. Last year’s backup, KJ Jackson, is a dual-threat quarterback hoping to win the starting job this fall. In the backfield the Hogs return Brayden Russell who ran for just under 300 yards and 5 touchdowns last season. Memphis transfer running back Sutton Smith will also compete for plenty of snaps out of the backfield this fall as a senior.
