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Previewing the 2024 Running Back Board


Jason Brassell
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It's hard to write about the history of the running back position at The University of Georgia. Not because there isn't any content there, but because the history is so strong that writing about it just seems like you're repeating what has already been said over and over again. Everyone in college football knows and UGA fans have heard it all. Walker, Hearst, Moreno, Gurley, Chubb, RB-U, etc. No other team in the country has a stronger history at the running back position.

The Dawgs look to continue the legacy of the position with the 2024 class. Lately Kirby Smart, Todd Monken and the offensive staff have placed an emphasis on having a traditional type RB in the room like Kendall Milton and a do-it-all type like Kenny McIntosh. That has worked out very well for the back to back national champions and they're looking for the next duo in this recruiting cycle.

RUNNING BACK

Losing: Kenny McIntosh

Returning: Kendall Milton (Sr), Daijun Edwards (Sr), Branson Robinson (So), Andrew Paul (RS-Fr)

2023 Class: 4* Roderick Robinson

After taking one running back in the 2023 class, Georgia will be looking to add at least two more for this cycle. At 6'1 230 pounds, Robinson is your big back who will be able to get the tough yards. Don't let his size fool you, as he can outrun defenders just as much as he can plow over them. He's also a much better pass catcher out of the backfield than he gets credit for.

TARGETS

The top target on the board has been and will continue to be the No. 1 RB in the nation, Jerrick Gibson. At 5'10 200 pounds, he is the prototypical size teams look for in a ball carrier. Texas and Tennessee are teams towards the top of his list with UGA. He most recently took a visits to Texas and Florida, who is still on his list despite the 5* RB decommitting from the Gators a year ago. He is expected to be back in Athens soon.

The second 5* RB that Georgia is after actually spends much of his time playing behind center, as he is the best athlete on the Daugherty football team. Coming in at the same height and weight as Gibson, Kameron Davis can do it all. He'll go over , around, or straight through a defense. He also has the breakaway speed to make the big play. Hailing from Albany, he is actually much closer to Tallahassee than Athens. His commitment reflects that, as he pulled the trigger for the Seminoles last February. Davis has been in Athens more than once and if anyone will be able to pull him away from FSU, it will be UGA. As of right now, I still see him ending up in Tallahassee.

Georgia recently offered Texas RB prospect Taylor Tatum, the fifth ranked back in the country. Don't be surprised if he visits soon. Anthony Carrie has the Dawgs in his top group and was once considered a top target, but I get the feeling others have leapfrogged him in the pecking order. One in particular who has shot up the board is Florida commit, Chauncey Bowens. Kirby Smart recently landed the copter to check in on Bowens at his school and the 4* RB quickly visited Athens. He's one to keep a VERY CLOSE eye on this spring and summer.

COMMITS

The most recent commit is an in-state back who can straight up FLY! Dwight Phillips Jr. is the son of four-time world champion long jumper Dwight Phillips. Like his dad, Phillips' athleticism jumps off the charts. The No. 4 running back in the nation fits the Kenny McIntosh/James Cook do-it-all role to perfection. Expect to see him in the backfield, in the slot, and split out wide. I'd also like to see him returning kicks.

Tovani Mizell committed to UGA in August of 2022. The 6'0 190 pounder is just an all around good running back. He might not have one aspect of his game that sticks out, like Robinson being a bruiser at 230 pounds or Phillips having blazing speed, but he does everything at a high level. Mizell has said since he committed that he will take other visits and he is open to other programs. Arizona is one that is recruiting him very hard.

OTHERS

Georgia hs other offers out to top tier running backs such as Jason Brown from Washington and J'Marion Burnette, but I would focus more on the backs mentioned above as we move into the spring.

Don't be surprised if UGA decides to take three at the running back position after missing out on Justice Haynes and only taking Robinson in 2023. Milton and Edwards will be seniors and Paul is coming off of ACL surgery. We could easily take two with a more traditional style and Phillips as the do-it-all back. Since I think Davis sticks with FSU for now, my perfect class would be Gibson, Bowens (I love him) and Phillips.

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