Kirby Smart on two Georgia freshman RBs: ‘They are hard to tackle’

Kirby Smart says Georgia’s freshman running backs are “hard to tackle”

Georgia had the nation’s No. 3 ranked recruiting class for the 2023 cycle with 30 signees.

Amongst those are running backs Branson Robinson and Andrew Paul, who look to carry on the tradition of great ball carriers at UGA.

Kirby Smart spoke about the two freshmen following the team’s first scrimmage over the weekend, saying they are “different.”

“These two young guys are different.” Smart said. “They’re a little heavier, thicker, run behind their pads, and they probably don’t show up best until days like today because they’re a little harder to tackle.”

Robinson was a 4-star prospect who ranked as the nation’s No. 4 running back while Paul was a 3-star and ranked No. 42 at the position.

Robinson is 5-foot-10, Paul is 5-foot-11 and both weigh 220 pounds.

Smart noted that both the bruising backs played well but have room for improvement when it comes to pass protection.

“I thought both those guys [Andrew Paul and Branson Robinson] had good scrimmages. Not great, they’re not where they need to be, not where they need to be in pass-pro, but they are hard to tackle, and they’re thick. I’m very pleased with where they are.

Neither one going through the spring hurts their development in terms of number one, special teams, and number two, picking up pressures.”

Expect both backs to get touches this season, likely sharing time fourth on the depth chart behind Kenny McIntosh, Kendall Milton and Daijun Edwards.

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