With the long roster of outstanding running backs that have worn the red and black, it’s no surprise many refer to Georgia as “Running Back U.” And it’s no surprise that top recruits take a long hard look at spending their college careers in Athens.
And it doesn’t hurt that three recent Georgia players – Todd Gurley, Nick Chubb and Sony Michel – are making a splash in the NFL.
“I think it helps tremendously to have the guys, even the history of Robert Edwards, Garrison Hearst, Terrell Davis, I mean Herschel (Walker), just back after back after back after back,’ coach Kirby Smart said. “Now it’s probably more prominent than it’s ever been because of the stage that Todd is on and what he’s been able to do, and Nick and Sony’s exposure last year through the national-championship game.”
“I think if you’re a premier back in the country and you say, ‘I want to go somewhere that I can learn to play in a pro style, catch the ball in the backfield. I also want to be able to protect so that I can increase my value, and I also want to have durability where I’m not going to be beat up when I come out of there,’ there’s nowhere better to go. These guys recognize that, and that’s why (running backs coach) Dell (McGee) has been able to recruit at a high level.”
This fall, Elijah Holyfield and D’Andre Swift have held up their end of the bargain as both are ranked in the top 10 among SEC running backs. Holyfield, ranked seventh, has rushed for 674 yards and five touchdowns and Swift, ranked No. 10, has rushed for 622 yards and seven touchdowns.
Holyfield on Monday said the running back tradition at Georgia was attractive to him during the recruiting process.
“It was a very big deal to me,” he said. “I have watched Georgia football for a long time, and I have always loved all the Georgia backs, starting with Knowshon Moreno, and watching Todd and Sony and Nick and then playing with them as well. It had a lot to do with my decision.”
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