Georgia has proved itself time and time again that it is the Running Back University or RBU. It was even emphasized in April when the Dawgs had two running backs selected in the NFL Draft in Zamir White and James Cook. But like all things, RBU, too, must endure change. Not anything drastic, but there’s been what appears to be a shift in the culture surrounding Georgia’s run game.
Coming into the season, there was a lot of hype surrounding how Georgia’s monster tight end room would affect the run game. Their size, strength, and speed drastically help run blocking and give Coach Todd Monken and Coach Dell McGee more options on the ground.
But beyond that, it has been shown time and time again that the Georgia wideouts are more than willing to contribute on the ground as well. Viral videos of George Pickens throwing defenders onto the ground have taken the football world by storm, and last Saturday, we saw George Pickens Junior, better known as AD Mitchell, do the same thing against Oregon.
On the Bulldog’s first touchdown of the 2022 season, you can see Brock Bowers and AD Mitchell pave a clean path for fellow receiver Ladd McConkey’s rushing touchdown. Mitchell has bought into his role with the team. When asked about that block, he said, “My favorite part was just seeing lad cross the end zone.”
The running backs are taking notice too. Kendall Milton showed his appreciation to the receivers (in reference to his performance against Oregon) saying, “Plays like that. They (receivers) kind of set it up and opened up the holes that allowed me to be able to get in the end zone.” He followed up saying, “We (running backs) can’t do anything unless everything else works itself out.”
We can’t judge where the offense is going. Oregon made things look like everything was going to come through the air, but the next week, they could very well go ground and pound. And if they do, the receivers will still be making highlight plays. It seems like George Pickens started something here, and these Dawgs intend on seeing it through.