Projecting UGA’s running back depth chart ahead of spring practice
The Georgia Bulldogs continue to have some concerns at running back for the 2024 season. Georgia lost its two leading rushers, Kendall Milton and Daijun Edwards, from the 2023 season.
The Dawgs address their need at running back via the transfer portal. Georgia added Florida star running back Trevor Etienne earlier this offseason. Etienne figures to see a large workload. Georgia additionally signed three running back recruits, but only one of them is enrolled for the spring.
Trevor Etienne is the Georgia running back we trust the most in passing and rushing situations. Georgia has several other strong options at running back. There are certain Bulldog running backs we like more than others depending on the down and distance and the score of the game, which dictates if it is a rushing or passing situation.
Who are the Georgia running backs we expect to receive carries this fall? How do we rank the Georgia running back depth chart entering spring practice?
Starter: Trevor Etienne
Year: Junior
Look for Florida transfer Trevor Etienne to start in both passing and rushing situations for Georgia. Etienne’s combination of experience, explosiveness, balance and receiving skills make him Georgia’s best running back in every situation.
2023 rushing stats: 131 carries, 753 rushing yards, and eight rushing touchdowns
2023 receiving stats: 21 receptions for 172 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown
Back-up: Roderick Robinson II
Year: Sophomore
Roderick Robinson is an excellent option for the Dawgs in rushing situations. The 6-foot, 240-pound running back showed a lot of promise as a true freshman last fall, but did not record any receptions, so he is not the back-up in passing situations. Robinson is Georgia’s leading returning rusher.
2023 rushing stats: 24 carries, 196 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns
Depth: Andrew Paul
Year: Redshirt Sophomore
Andrew Paul continued to look healthier throughout the 2023 season after missing the 2022 year due to a knee injury. Paul, who played in seven games last season, caught a pair of passes for 14 yards and a touchdown. Paul has an opportunity to get a ton of reps this spring, but faces competition from several freshmen.
2023 rushing stats: 29 carries, 129 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown
Depth, back-up receving back: Cash Jones
Year: Junior
Cash Jones is one of Georgia’s best receiving backs. In fact, he was one of 11 Georgia players to haul in over 10 receptions a year ago. Jones has good speed and is Georgia’s smallest running back that regularly sees carries. Jones should continue to improve and is actually one of Georgia’s more experienced backs.
2023 rushing stats: 22 carries, 161 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown
2023 receiving stats: 11 receptions for 92 yards and one touchdown
Early enrollee: Chauncey Bowens
Year: Freshman
Bowens runs with a bowling ball style and has a great combination of size and speed. He’ll be adjusting to the speed of the college game, but has all the physical attributes to succeed down the road.
Recruit ranking: Three-star, nation’s No. 40 running back
Injured: Branson Robinson
Year: Redshirt Sophomore
Robinson missed the 2023 season with a ruptured patella tendon that he suffered on Aug. 22. Robinson is not expected to be fully healthy this spring, so we don’t have him high on the depth chart. However, if he returns to form, then Robinson would be our second-string running back.
Enrolling in the summer: Nate Frazier
Dawg Family I’m Home 🐶 @Hayesfawcett3 #viral pic.twitter.com/p5z8R273We
— Nathaniel Frazier (@NateUA1_) August 7, 2023
Year: Freshman
Nate Frazier, who is running track this spring, brings speed to Georgia running backs room. Frazier will see some looks this fall. He is a former receiver, so he should get some targets in the passing game.
Recruit ranking: Four-star, nation’s No. 2 running back
Enrolling in the summer: Dwight Phillips
1000000% committed to Georgia bulldogs!! @Hayesfawcett3 pic.twitter.com/AJi7KVF9UK
— Dwight Phillips, Jr. (@DwightP_2024) January 28, 2023
Year: Freshman
Phillips is another speed merchant in the Georgia running backs room. He and several other young Georgia running backs should have a chance to get playing time in Week 2 against Tennessee Tech.
Recruit ranking: Four-star, nation’s No. 21 running back
Versatile: Dillon Bell
Year: Junior
Bell helped Georgia’s thin 2023 running backs room stay the course through injuries to Daijun Edwards and Kendall Milton. Bell is one of Georgia’s top receivers, but the Bulldogs have better depth at receiver than running back, so don’t be surprised to see Bell get more carries in 2024.
2023 rushing stats: 25 carries, 157 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns
2023 receiving stats: 29 receptions for 355 yards and two touchdowns
