Georgia RB coach Dell McGee updates backfield’s progress

Dell McGee breaks down Georgia’s 2022 backfield…

Georgia football is currently in fall camp preparing to defend their national title.

With three weeks till the Bulldogs tee it up versus Oregon in Atlanta for the Chickfila Kickoff game, there are questions surrounding the Dawgs’ running back room.

Talent is not the question here, but rather how upperclassmen like Kenny McIntosh, Kendall Milton and Daijun Edwards take over for Zamir White and James Cook, who are preparing for their rookie seasons in the NFL.

Running backs coach Dell McGee expanded on the backfield to the media earlier this week.

Georgia RB Kendall Milton on teammate Daijun Edwards: ‘He’s definitely going to surprise a lot of people this year’

Watch out for UGA RB Daijun Edwards

One position the Georgia Bulldogs haven’t had a swinging door situation with over the last few seasons is tailback.

Zamir White, James Cook and Kenny McIntosh have been staples in UGA’s run game for the better part of three years.

With that said, there will be a new-look backfield in 2022. White and Cook are off to the NFL, which leaves McIntosh as the most tenured back on the Dawgs roster.

But we know Georgia doesn’t take a one-back approach to its offense. Juniors Kendall Milton and Daijun Edwards will be serious contributors to the Dawgs’ backfield next season.

We’ve seen flashes of ability from Milton, who finished as the team’s 4th-leading rusher last season with 56 attempts for 264 yards (4.7 avg.) with one score.

But what about Edwards? The former four-star prospect served as UGA’s fifth-string back last season, but watch out for the Norman Park, Ga., native to take off with more carries in 2022.

Milton spoke on Edwards’ talent to the media this week.

“Now Daijun, that’s one guy that I think a lot of people sleep on. When you see Daijun every day in practice, he has a killer dead leg that is almost unstoppable. He has great balance, great speed, great power. So, you know, I feel like Daijun, he’s definitely going to surprise a lot of people this year. He’s somebody that, he has a lot of the oohs and aahs in practices just because he has a big play-making ability.”

Edwards has 86 career carries for 428 yards (5.0) and four scores, including a career-high 49 attempts in 2021.

Both Milton and Edwards should get ample opportunity to show their skills next season.

We’ll get a taste of what that will look like when Georgia hosts its annual G-Day spring game on April 16.

Georgia football player card: RB Daijun Edwards

Georgia Bulldogs running back Daijun Edwards finished the 2020 college football season with 218 rushing yards on 37 carries

Running Back Daijun Edwards (No. 33):

Class: Sophomore

Height: 5-10

Weight: 201 pounds

Hometown: Moultrie, Georgia

High School: Colquitt County High School

Georgia Bulldogs running back Daijun Edwards finished the 2020 college football season with 218 rushing yards on 37 carries. Edwards played in nine of Georgia’s 10 games and saw additional playing time after Kendall Milton suffered a knee injury.

Edwards recorded one reception for three yards, so he will need to continue to work on that aspect of his game to boost his NFL draft stock.

Edwards came to Athens as a four-star recruit in the class of 2020. The Colquitt County graduate was rated anywhere between the No. 13 and No. 33 best running back in the country.

Edwards will compete with Kendall Milton, Zamir White, James Cook, Kenny McIntosh and more for playing time. Georgia returns all of its leading rushers from last season.

Cook is the most explosive player of the group and is an excellent pass catcher, but he isn’t as polished between the tackles as White. McIntosh is a versatile back who is very elusive. Milton, a former five-star recruit, is powerful like Nick Chubb and has a high ceiling.

Edward has displayed flashes of a rugged, tough style on tape. Edwards saw lots of playing time throughout his high school career at Colquitt County and is quite experienced.

Here’s a look back at his first career touchdown for the Bulldogs:

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April 17, 2021; Athens, Georgia; Georgia Bulldogs running back Daijun Edwards (33) is taken to the ground by linebacker Trezmen Marshall (15) during the Georgia Spring Game at Sanford Stadium. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Georgia football RB Daijun Edwards scores first career TD

Georgia Bulldogs freshman running back Daijun Edwards scored his first career rushing touchdown against the Missouri Tigers

Georgia Bulldogs freshman running back Daijun Edwards scored his first career rushing touchdown against the Missouri Tigers. Edwards’ six yard score gave the Bulldogs a 49-14 lead over the Tigers.

Edwards has been much more involved in the Georgia offense in recent weeks. The Colquitt County High School product rushed for a career high 77 yards last game against South Carolina.

Here’s a look at Edwards’ first career rushing touchdown:

It’ll be a moment that the Moultrie, Georgia, native will remember forever.

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UGA football player card: RB Daijun Edwards

Georgia Bulldogs running back Daijun Edwards comes to Athens as a four-star recruit.

Running Back Daijun Edwards (No. 33):

Class: Freshman

Height: 5-10

Weight: 201 pounds

Hometown: Moultrie, Georgia

High School: Colquitt County High School

Georgia Bulldogs running back Daijun Edwards comes to Athens as a four-star recruit. He’s a member of the class of 2020. The Colquitt County product was rated as anywhere between the 13th and 33rd best running back in the country.

Edwards be competing with Kendall Milton, Zamir White, James Cook, Kenny McIntosh, and more for playing time. With the departure of D’Andre Swift, fans should expect a lot of competition at the running back position.

James Cook is the most explosive player of the group and is an excellent pass catcher, but he isn’t as polished between the tackles as Zamir White. Both Daijun Edwards and Kendall Milton are touted recruits and have the talent to earn significant carries as freshmen.

Edwards also has the ability to catch out of the backfield. He flashes a rugged, tough style on tape. Edwards saw lots of playing time throughout his high school career and is quite experienced.

Check the tape of the four-star running back for yourself:

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