Georgia’s running back group lost one of its key components when Elijah Holyfield declared for the NFL draft. In his place, D’Andre Swift and Brian Herrien are ready to step into the challenge and lead this year’s group.
Swift said the players can’t tell who will fill the spot left by Holyfield, but they all put in a solid spring practice to help them prepare for the 2019 season.
And Herrien agreed.
“I feel like people really want to know,” Herrien said. “But we really aren’t able to tell, and coach gets to decide who he puts in the game at any given moment.”
In Georgia’s G-Day game Saturday, Swift and Herrien each showcased their abilities in the run game. Herrien had seven carries for 25 yards, while Swift carried three times for 39 yards.
Both are coming off successful seasons that cemented their place in Georgia’s run game. Swift finished with a team-high 1,049 yards on 163 carries, and grabbed another team-high with 10 touchdowns. He broke the 100-yard mark in rushing in four of the last seven games.
Herrien was the team’s third-leading rusher, gaining 295 yards on 50 carries. He also caught eight passes for 42 yards. He scored his first career receiving touchdown against Texas on a 17-yard catch.
Coach Kirby Smart recognized Herrien’s improvement as a back in his postgame comments Saturday.
“I’ve seen Brian, not necessarily this spring, but I’ve seen a lot of body of work from Brian, and he’s got a really good skill set of catching the ball,” Smart said. “He’s got a good understanding of our offense.”
Among the key improvements the running backs focused on through the spring was their play in the passing game, such as picking up blitzes. Herrien recognized it as parts of their game that were lacking, and both Swift and Herrien caught passes during the G-Day game.
Herrien caught three passes for 50 yards and a touchdown, while Swift caught three passes for 17 yards. Sophomore running back James Cook also caught two passes for 11 yards.
“It makes us feel like we can be more a part of the offense more than just running the ball because we can catch, too,” Herrien said.
As upperclassmen, they each see their responsibility to help lead the group. They are both working to step into the leadership position and be more vocal leaders. Swift said he has become more comfortable addressing the team and speaking his voice.
Herrien is focusing on personal improvements in the weight room as well, becoming faster and stronger. He wants to see the work in the weight room translate into the season. Swift wants to keep his body in shape and put in the work in the weight room in order to put his best foot forward next season.
Swift also wants to lead by example. He said if he makes the right decisions on and off the field, the other running backs will follow his lead.
The relationship Swift, Herrien and Cook have off the field helps each in their performance on the field. Swift said that relationships are a key factor for success. Whoever is in the game, they have built a friendship with that athlete, and it makes them each better on the field.
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