ATHENS, Ga. The first time it happened, Zamir White didnt think much of it. Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports. He runs with good balance and is difficult for linebackers to cover. As his great-aunt Louise White-Pegues told ESPN last year: Thats OK, Zamir, they cant do what you do.. https://ugawire.usatoday.com/lists/projecting-uga-football-depth-chart-running-back-georgia-bulldogs/, Former UGA LB Nakobe Dean responds to Shannon Sharpe's shot at Kirby Smart, ESPN FPI predicts SEC football teams' final record, chances to win division, Ranking SEC college towns from worst to first, Georgia football: Kirby Smart's coolest quotes from SEC media days, Twitter reacts: Kirby Smart signs enormous contract extension, Madden 23 player ratings for former Georgia running backs, Best Twitter reactions to Kirby Smart's 'we will not be hunted' quote, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Please check your email for a confirmation. 2) Frank Sinkwich - Sinkwich did it all while at Georgia. 2 and 3 career rushers in UGA history, amassing over 8,400 combined yards and 87 touchdowns. The second time it happened, well, that was different. He finished the 2020 season with 779 rushing yards on 144 carries. You really bounced back from all that stuff. White said. Georgia had a diverse offensive attack, rushing and passing, and spreading around the touches, but White led the way in the rushing game, racking up 856 yards and 11 touchdowns, including a go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter of the national championship game. He played in the NFL with the Cowboys, Eagles, Giants and Vikings. However, Milton sprained his MCL against Florida and missed Georgias remaining games. It was to be the preview of the 2020 season, his expected breakout.
Milton and McIntosh have waited their turn to become the primary ball carriers on this football team. The kid who wasnt supposed to live beyond a few weeks, and had made it this far. With the 49'ers in 1998, Hearst rushed for over 1,500 yards. He was named the MVP of the game rushing for 130 yards.Trippi's college career was interrupted for two years by World War II. I decided to stay out of the predicting business and pass on the opportunity to comment on Georgia's class of 2009. The Bulldog offense finished first in the SEC (9th nationally) in Rushing Offense, 5th in Total Offense, and 2nd (4th nationally) in Red Zone Offense. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. 1) Herschel Walker - Many believe that Walker is the greatest college running back to have ever played the game. Of course, it wasnt the go-ahead one, which came in the fourth quarter. He can also say he was the leading rusher for a Georgia national champion, a club that includes Frank Sinkwich, Herschel Walker and him. Walker played for the New Jersey Generals from 1983-1985. Then I was like: Yeah, Im back in it now, its all me now. Just in training and camps, being more comfortable with it. But, through limited in-game reps, they've flashed signs of stardom. McGee began coaching at the high school level as an assistant coach in 2001. White became aware of all this, he told The Athletic this week, when he was in the fourth grade and went in for corrective surgery. In just two seasons on the field in Athens, Knowshon rushed for over 2,700 yards. 2 running back on the depth chart because he is UGAs best receiving back. He still has the physical scar from the surgery, but if anyone kidded him about it, or worse, he was able to fuel himself in another direction. Both Kendall Milton and Kenny McIntosh flashed according to sources in Georgia's first scrimmage of the spring. Musa finished his Georgia career with 2,202 yards and 19 TDs. Tailback Isaiah Crowell, SEC Freshman of the Year at Georgia in 2011, was a 2014 Free Agent signee by Cleveland, while Gabe Wright was taken in the fourth round of the 2015 draft. 2014-15 Georgia Southern (RBs)
Again, the "what could have been" steps in, and Walker left for the USFL after his junior year. 1999Detroit Lions McGee played overseas in NFL Europe in 1999 and then concluded that season with the Detroit Lions. Me and you.. The junior running back dislocated his right elbow in March. But I have decided to take this off season and take a look back. Oh yeah, most definitely, he said. 2013.Auburn (analyst) On the bus ride back to the team hotel that night White and Cook looked at each other and kept saying: We really won the national championship. But we got it there though.. In the 2018 NFL draft, Michel was the 31st player picked by New England and Chubb was 35th pick of the draft by Cleveland. Dell McGee was named Run Game Coordinator and Running Backs Coach in 2019 after one season as Assistant Head Coach. GSU won the Sun Belt Championship in 2014 and had four backs top the 600-yard rushing mark in 2015. Led by this freshman, UGA won the National Championship in 1980. His athletic prowess earned him the nickname Zeus. By his senior year, he was a five-star prospect, the No. McGee had been promoted to associate head coach early in the 2015 season. Two in nine months is another, and it was fair to wonder whether White would ever get back on the field at Georgia, and if so what he would bring to the team. Milton looked explosive and strong this spring and could be Georgias best pure runner of the football. His experience and ability to run through tackles will likely give him the nod to start against Clemson. Drafted by the Lions as the number one pick in 1943, Sinkwich played in the NFL from 1943-1947. One ACL tear is one thing. You can follow us for future coverage by clicking "Follow" on the top right-hand corner of the page. I'm sure that the 18 players Georgia signed will do well. Based on the tea leaves from this spring, their liable to do so. His number "34" was retired by UGA. Drafted by the Broncos in 1995, Davis would play for Denver from 1995-2002. Some will have an immediate impact this fall, others will not see game action for at least a year. My grandma always told me: Youre blessed to be here, and God put you here for a reason, White said. McGee was part of a 2017 staff that led the Bulldogs to a record-tying 13 victories, an SEC Championship, first appearance in the College Football Playoff, first appearance in the Rose Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal, and first appearance in the CFP Championship Game.
He finished his NFL career with 7,607 yards rushing and 60 td's. I will tackle most of the positions, one by one, and list those that I feel are the best ten in each category. Despite his short time in Athens, he will no doubt be remembered as one of the greats. While at UGA, Walker was named a consensus All American three times, set 10 NCAA records, 15 SEC Conference records and 30 UGA records. Garrison amassed over 7,900 yards in his NFL career. Milton recorded 193 rushing yards and showed an impressive burst. He always seemed to be in the middle of the action.
I would say mental-wise. Walker moved on to the NFL and the Dallas Cowboys in 1986. When did that happen?. Georgia running back James Cook has game-changing speed. I was walking around just fine. Placed in the backfield with UGA great Frank Sinkwich, Trippi was one of the greatest running backs ever. It was his first championship since youth league football.
Worley rushed for over 1,000 yards in each season from 1991-1995. In his three year career at UGA, Sinkwich rushed for over 2,200 yards and passed for over 2,300 yards. Psychology, Auburn 2001; He led Georgia to an Orange Bowl win in 1942 totaling almost 400 yards of offense. My body was ready for it. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1942.
White is from North Carolina so he joined it late, but it was still huge for him. It wasnt until the next day, when the knee started to feel stiff, that the trainers thought they might look at it. Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant once stated that Trippi was, "the finest athlete he had ever seen." But not all me. In his five seasons at UGA, McGee coached four 1,000-yard season rushers: Nick Chubb in 2016-17; Sony Michel in 2017; DAndre Swift in 2018-19; and Elijah Holyfield in 2018. This strong finished earned him an invite to the Blue-Gray game. His career was cut short by a serious injury at the age of 25. McGee lettered in football and track at Kendrick High School in Columbus, Ga. McGee and his wife Linda have a son, Austin. We had that confidence. In some cases, the memories will be fresh, others you may need to look back in the UGA history books to rekindle those memories. 2001.. Nashville Kats (XFL). Im good..
McGee developed Carver-Columbus High School into a perennial powerhouse as the Tigers rattled off seven straight seasons with 10 or more wins, including a 15-0 season en route to the Georgia state title. So Im like, Wow, man, and it just happened back-to-back. 9) Musa Smith - Musa Smith was a big part of the 2002 SEC championship season. Trippi played in the NFL from 1947-1955 with the Chicago Cardinals. Kendall Milton, Kenny McIntosh, and Daijun Edwards are already off to a strong start this spring, by all indications. Hopefully most will qualify. James Cooks experience as a third-down back will be important.
All five of Georgias top running backs are capable of handling a significant number of carries. His first contract was for four years and $100,00.
8) Terrell Davis - Davis could be a little higher on this list. College: B.A. 2000.. Carolina Cobras (Arena Football League) 5) Knowshon Moreno - What an impact Knowshon had in 2007 and 2008. Birthplace: Columbus, Ga. 4) Garrison Hearst - One of the best no doubt. Georgias Daijun Edwards saw extended action following Kendall Miltons injury against Florida last season. In 1998 Tim led the Dawgs with over 1,200 yards. Many feel that he should have won the Heisman as a freshman, when he set an NCAA record rushing for almost 1,900 yards and 18 td's. Moreno rushed for 30 TDs in those two seasons. 1992-95.Auburn Hampton had a very successful career in the NFL. The rest is NFL history. The Dawgs have depth and versatility at the position with each back bringing something different to the table. Ed.S, Educational Leadership, Columbus State, 2008. For me, its just a blessing to bounce back from all that.. Dec. 12, 2020; Columbia, Missouri; Georgia Bulldogs running back James Cook (4) runs for a touchdown against Missouri Tigers defensive back Ishmael Burdine (24) during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. He finished his senior season strong with games of 113 yards and 121 yards. That could have been the career, or at least the diminishing of the five-star, the moment everyone would look back and say: He was never the same again. Spring Buzz: Georgia Has a Star On Their Hands in Adonai Mitchell, Former NFL Player Makes Insane Draft Prediction for Travon Walker, WATCH: Darris Smith Looks INSANE on Track at 6'6. Just seeing my linemen fight for it, just give it all they had, seeing Stetson (Bennett) lead the team, and the young guys buy in, White said, agreeing that it was so different than the fourth quarters in other Alabama games. I was kind of lost at the moment, he said. Zamir White led the team with 779 rushing yards in 2021.
He was born with a cleft lip and cleft palate, and lost weight after birth, and developed a leak in his kidney. Edwards finished the season with 218 rushing yards. Additionally, Rivals.com named McGee the 2018 National Recruiter of the Year after the Bulldogs signed the consensus No. And Im like, Man, this is crazy. But I thank God for my family, my teammates, my coaches, being there for me, being that push for me, making me mentally strong, and being there for me., He heard from plenty of people, such as Chubb, Michel and Todd Gurley, offering advice on rehab, which he summed up as: Just hit it hard, keep on grinding like you did before. White grinned as he recounted how repetitive it was: the same process, the same steps. But his Georgia days pale in comparison to his NFL days. He was named Comeback Player of the Year, twice. First uphere is my "Top Ten UGA Running Backs of All Time" 10) Thomas Brown - Thomas Brown will always be one of my favorites.
2001. Los Angeles Xtreme (XFL) Dec. 12, 2020; Columbia, Missouri; Georgia Bulldogs running back Daijun Edwards (33) runs against Missouri Tigers defensive back Stacy Brown (7) during the second half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. I agree with that assessment. So lets have some fun and look back on some great players in UGA history, while we look forward to kick-off in 2009. There were some things they started to tell him and he could stop them and say: Yeah, I know that already.. He was also a pretty good running back! 2019-Present. Georgia (Run Game Coordinator / RBs) Sign up for the University of Georgia Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning, Madden 23 player ratings for former UGA pass catchers. Trainers did a field test and told him right away it was another torn ACL.
In fact, Georgia will return its seven leading rushers from last season. In 2011, McGee was selected to coach in the third annual Under Armour High School All-America Game in St. Petersburg, Fla. McGee was a two-year starter and four-year letterwinner at Auburn from 1992-95, helping preserve the Tigers undefeated 1993 season with a critical interception against Alabama. Although White shares credit with his backfield mate, James Cook, with whom he was close throughout their careers. He took over a Carver program in 2005 that had not had a winning season in the nine years previously and had never posted a double-digit win campaign in its 47-year history. Another in the line of "what might have been", Knowshon announced in January that he will enter the NFL draft, and leave UGA after only two seasons (Knowshon was red-shirted his first year). He missed his rookie season after suffering an injury in the preseason. McGee posted an 88-19 overall record with a 21-6 mark in the playoffs, which included six region championships. The next day we went up to Georgia and my knee was kind of stiff. Playing Experience: Birthdate: Sept. 7, 1973 Were buddies, White said. I felt pretty good out there though. And that he did, healthy enough during the ensuing preseason in 2018 to be in the mix for carries as well as a spot on special teams. He remembers coming to school with his nose wrapped up, and kids asking what happened to him.
He had two interceptions in the XFL and ranked among the leagues leaders in 2001. Zamir White has not proven to be a major threat in the passing game, but may be Georgias best pass protecting running back. Walker retired after the 1997 season. Zamir White started at running back for all 10 of Georgias games in 2020. 7) Tim Worley - Worley finished his UGA career with just over 2,000 yards rushing and 27 td's. Trippi starred in the 1947 NFL Championship game against the Eagles. In Goff's pass happy offense Davis rushed for 824 yards, and 445 yards as a starter. 2002.. Harris County HS (DBs) And as White thinks about his own journey, from birth to childhood to not one, but two, ACL injuries, he also marvels at it all. More than anything I hope you will voice your opinion. White is a physical running back who can remain upright through a lot of contact. He was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1968. But I wouldnt say it was all me, like my past one was, White said. That could have been it. Georgias Zamir White should start the season as the Bulldogs top back.
Just 10 days before he came to UGA in 2016, McGee led Georgia Southern to victory in its first-ever bowl game (GoDaddy Bowl) as interim head coach. Cook finished with 225 receiving yards including a long touchdown reception against Alabama. Drafted in the first round of the 1990 draft by the NY Giants, Worley would play in the NFL from 1990-1997. While at UGA, Walker rushed for over 1,600 yards in each of his three seasons. Mindset-wise I was like, Dang, thats crazy. As a result, McIntosh missed the spring game. Prior to joining the Georgia Southern staff, McGee served one season at Auburn, his alma mater, where he worked as an analyst in 2013 when the Tigers reached the BCS Championship Game. When Herrien was out for the Sugar Bowl and Swift limited with an injury, White got his first start, rushing for 92 yards on 18 carries. He had served the previous two seasons as an assistant coach, overseeing running backs. Hearst has numbers that compare with many of the great college running backs of our time. 2016-18.. Georgia (RBs) In 1941 he led the NCAA in rushing, and in 1942 was voted the No. I was special, so why not do something with it. . 2015 (Assistant Head Coach/RBs) Milton offers the powerful running of White, while McIntosh is a swiss-army knife type of back who can do it all. One area Cook needs to improve is pass protection. So that gets us through the running backs.
Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content. 1999. Rhein Fire (NFL Europe) He was named Georgia State Coach of the Year in 2007 and 08. I didnt really feel it at all, White recalled this week. When a player suffers a season-ending injury they leave the public eye, the fans and media not really knowing how much work is going on behind the scenes.
Jan. 1, 2021; Atlanta; Georgia Bulldogs running back Kenny McIntosh (6) runs the ball against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the second quarter of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Were just competing, were having fun, were trying to get our jobs., White was running downfield, and grabbed Webb, throwing him across him, then his leg cut in some weird way.. His number "21" is retired at UGA. He played the game as he had played most of the regular season, with his broken jaw wired shut. 2018. Georgia (Assistant Head Coach / RBs) The Arizona Cardinals picked McGee in the 5th round of the 1996 NFL Draft and he remained with the organization through 1998. In the 2003 NFL draft the Baltimore Ravens picked Smith in the 3rd round. McGee served as running backs coach at GSU in 2014-15, when the Eagles led the nation in rushing offense384 yards per game in 2014 and 363 yards per game in 2015. Sinkwich died in 1990 in Athens at the age of 70. This reporter can remember one afternoon, leaving the Butts-Mehre building, and seeing White dropped off by a friend, getting out on crutches and hobbling his way to the door. He won the Super Bowl MVP in 1997, and won NFL MVP honors in 1998. Worley retired from the NFL in 1994. Just as in years past, the expectations from a spectator's perspective is that the Bulldogs will keep things pretty simple, a "vanilla" gameplan, as they focus on getting youth a run in the 11-on-11 scrimmage, which means that instead of throwing out the entire playbook of passing concepts, Georgia will likely keep things rather simplistic and lean on the run game more. They checked it and told me. Also, be sure to like us on Facebook @BulldogMaven & follow us on Twitter at @BulldogsSI. The main bitterness came from not being able to finish with his Scotland County High School teammates. Were close.
Since coming to UGA, McGee has helped Georgia win 11 or more games three straight seasons, won three consecutive SEC East titles, and earned four straight New Years Six Bowl berths. Follow Brooks Austin on Twitter: @BrooksAustinSI. 1-rated recruiting class. Andy Lyons/Getty Images. In 2022, they have a chance to sustain it. Quarterback J.T. A full collection of posts can be found here: Why this Georgia football team was different, Georgias history maker who just needed a second chance, Devonte Wyatt and the decisions that led to him being part of Georgias national championship team, The Georgia defenders who waited, and the one who didnt, The night Georgia footballs longtime radio team finally called a national championship. April 17, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia; Georgia Bulldogs running back Kendall Milton (2) runs with the football during the Georgia Spring Game at Sanford Stadium. Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports. And was 2021 when that was? But the timing seemed fine as far as his college career: He would rehab and be ready in time for the start of his freshman season at Georgia, given the typical timetable for ACL injuries. He and incoming freshman Lovasea Carroll are at the bottom of Georgias running back depth chart, but both are quite talented and will see looks on offense throughout the season, especially against lesser opponents. Edwards has a low center of gravity and good vision. The only option for the man they called Zeus was to keep going. Kenny McIntosh is ranked ahead of Kendall Milton on our depth chart due to his versatility. Thats why he was working in a punt drill during a scrimmage at Sanford Stadium, during which White was going against Mark Webb, then a sophomore. Worley was drafted by the Steelers in the first round of the NFL draft. In 1992 Hearst rushed for 1,594 yards while averaging 6.99 yards per carry. Overall, Georgia has a deep backfield once again. Coord.) Sometimes when Im with my brothers, were just relaxing and talking about how far I came, with all that rehab and stuff. His last season in the NFL was in 1994 playing with the Denver Broncos. He rushed for almost 6,900 yards. Today I start what I hope will be a series of "Top 10" list of some of the greatest players in UGA history. In four of McGees last five years at the helm of the program, Carver advanced to the state semifinals. To now where it doesnt even bother me. In the 2003 Sugar Bowl Musa led Georgia to a win over Florida State rushing for 145 yards. Davis claimed that then head coach Ray Goff never liked him, and he was forced to play with injuries that limited his effectiveness. 1 Athlete in the country by the AP. McIntosh saw an uptick in per game production compared to his freshman season, but missed the Florida and Kentucky games with a knee injury. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Everything felt fine. Of course, this will just be my opinion. So that was always in my mind, to push and try hard. Additionally, James Cook was a matchup problem in the passing game. As a rookie Tim rushed for 770 yards. After featuring a 1,000-yard rusher in each of Smart's first four seasons, Georgia will be looking to see a running back get themselves past the one-thousand-yard rushing benchmark that was last broken by D'Andre Swift in 2019. He could step up into a larger role in 2021. McGee finished his playing career with stops in the Arena Football League and the XFL. Musa led the team in rushing that year with 1,324 yards. Family: Wife, Linda and son, Austin
1996-98 Arizona Cardinals
Im good, chill. He answered the first question, getting back to the field for the 2019 season opener, and though he was essentially only playing as the third option and in blowouts behind Swift and Brian Herrien it looked like White was showing glimpses of the five-star recruit, averaging 10 yards a carry his first two games, and scoring three touchdowns. The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. The Georgia Bulldogs return a stacked backfield for the 2021 college football season. Georgia's projected record, chances of going undefeated, winning natty, etc Copyright University of Georgia Wire 2022. He has had more time to recover from multiple ACL injuries, so he should be near 100 percent. I look forward to watching him play on Sunday. The 2019 and 2020 senior classes won 44 gamestied for most in school history. But my mindset wasnt quite there yet. Articles and opinions abound on which school did well, and which school did not.
Let me know what you think. They don't miss assignments, they know how to practice, and they compete. Despite splitting time with others for most of his career, Thomas led the Bulldogs in rushing in 2004 (875 yds) and in 2005 (736 yds). As far as that last drive, guys were just like, Weve got it, man. Guys were just locked in together and saying: Lets take it on., Georgia fans had 41 years of built-up frustration.
When White was born, he was given two weeks to live, due to birth complications. The field was icy, so Trippi wore basketball shoes for better traction. White smiled. He should be ready to begin the college football season. But ask White his fondest memories from that game and he mentions that quarter, especially the last drive. White stood out early on the youth football fields in Laurinburg, N.C., and was also a track star, finishing sixth in the 100 meters at a North Carolina state track meet. He was named league MVP in 1944. McIntosh played in eight games in 2020, when he ran for 251 yards on 47 carries. Tune in for more Glory Stories, as we catalog the people and stories behind Georgias first football national championship in 41 years. He totaled over 200 yards in the game. Fortunately, offensive coordinator Todd Monken will rotate a lot of backs and will not have to rely on any one runner in particular. Coaching Experience: 2005-12.. Carver-Columbus (Ga.) HS (head coach) 2003-04 Greenville (Ga.) HS (Def.
Kendall Milton played in seven games in his first season in Athens. Milton came to Georgia as a five-star recruit and he looks the part thus far. Students Request Donated Football Tickets, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Innovation. Carroll transitioned to defensive back this spring, yet could play running back if necessary. 1-ranked running back in the nation, per 247Sports. After losing both senior backs, James Cook and Zamir White from a season ago, Milton and McIntosh will look to take on the mantle of being the 1-2 punch for Georgia's backfield. He finished his senior year with almost 1,200 all purpose yards. McIntosh is polished as a receiver and runner. He accounted for 60 TDs during that span. No doubt this is a fun time to look ahead. M.Ed.
He checks in as Georgias No. Chubb and Michel finished their careers as the Nos. Almost any list of the greatest college players ever will have Walker listed in the top five. Milton morphing into the Zamir White role from the last two seasons, with McIntosh doing a little bit of everything out of the backfield.". He has room to improve as a receiver. I could show kids that its possible for you to do it, too.. High School: Kendrick He spent the first three months of his life in the hospital, his mother Shanee White told ESPN last year. He has had a number of players advance to the professional ranks, including Georgia All-American Jarvis Jones, and UAB offensive lineman Chris Hubbard, both with the Pittsburgh Steelers. During his career Walker rushed for over 8,200 yards and scored 61 TDs. Zamir White of the Georgia Bulldogs runs with the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field on Oct. 31, 2020 in Lexington, Kentucky.
Sports Fitness and Recreation, Troy State 2007; When the worst was confirmed, even then it seemed only a minor hurdle in the long run. He totaled more receiving yardage than the rest of Georgias running back room last year. If White improves as a receiver, then he will really boost his NFL draft stock. Even when the first ACL injury happened. 6) Rodney Hampton - Hampton came to UGA by way of Houston,Texas. I had just gotten back from the first one. Thirteen days remain until the new look Georgia Bulldogs take the field in Sanford Stadium for their annual G-Day game, which brought together 93K inside Sanford Stadium for the first spring game of the Kirby Smart era back in 2016. McGee Thumbnail Tim earned a Super Bowl ring as a member of the Giants Super Bowl XXV championship team.