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ATHENS - According to a quick Google search the fastest English bulldog in America is a pup named “Bronco”.
In June of 2023 the speedy bulldog in Michigan was clocked at 20 miles per hour when running his “drag races” against other dogs in the area. It’s quite the story, actually.
In Athens, Georgia the fastest Bulldog is Dwight Phillips Jr. The former track star and game-changing running back out of Pebblebrook (GA) signed with Georgia in the 2024 recruiting class and has patiently waited his turn to showcase his incredible speed.
Phillips rushed 35 times for 210 yards and one touchdown last season, but those numbers should increase in a big way this fall in year three. He’s done a great job of adding weight and is now listed at 5-foot-10 185-pounds.
Kirby Smart has consistently said this off-season that the Bulldogs need to be more explosive. Well, Phillips has the ability to provide that.
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“Dwight has worked his tail off”, Smart said this week. “He's one of the most explosive players we have on our offense. If we're going to be more explosive, then we have to get guys that when they touch the ball, big plays happen. The form of touches may change, but he's got to touch the ball because he's been one of our most explosive guys, probably even more so in practice than what you've seen in games.”
Sources say Phillips took a big step forward in the spring, showcasing his explosive potential during multiple spring scrimmages.
“He's had a great off-season,” Smart added. “He works really hard. They really care about each other. The success of each other is more important than the success of one person, and I appreciate the mentality in that room.”
Smart also stated again that Georgia’s identity will not change offensively. They want to run the ball. They also know that they need to be more explosive in the ground game. Phillips is bound to get more carries out of the backfield but the plan is to get him the ball in different ways.
This is someone who needs the ball in space. To showcase that speed and give the Georgia offense a weapon who can score from anywhere on the field. It’s up to offensive coordinator Mike Bobo and the staff to find creative ways to get that done.
Is he “Bronco” fast? Maybe. But we know he’s the fastest Bulldog in town, and he’s a Bulldog who needs the ball consistently this fall.
