Georgia Bulldogs redshirt sophomore running back Branson Robinson has waited over a year for this moment. Robinson missed the 2023 college football season after suffering a torn patella tendon.
Now, Robinson could be Georgia’s No. 1 running back for the season opener against the Clemson Tigers. Georgia’s top running back, Trevor Etienne, could be suspended for the Clemson game after he was arrested this offseason. Georgia’s No. 2 running back, Roderick Robinson, is doubtful after undergoing surgery on his turf toe.
The stage is set for Branson Robinson to have a big game. He is coming off a significant injury, but could see a big workload if he shows he’s back to his old self.
Robinson, who has frequently been compared to Nick Chubb throughout his career, looks to have a similar breakthrough in Week 1 following a serious injury. Chubb missed the end of the 2015 college football season after suffering a severe leg injury. There was no guarantee Chubb or Robinson would be able to return to football after they suffered their respective injuries.
“It’s been a process,” said Georgia coach Kirby Smart on Branson Robinson’s recovery. “The kid was down in the dumps because he was having a great camp last year, the injury happened, and he wasn’t with the rest of the team for a lot of the time.”
Chubb defied the odds to return in Week 1 of the 2016 season. He did much more than just play a few snaps in the 2016 season opener against North Carolina, which was the first game of the Kirby Smart era.
Chubb dominated North Carolina with 32 carries for 222 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Chubb’s performance gave Georgia a victory at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. The Bulldogs and Chubb later returned to Atlanta in 2017 to win the SEC championship.
Robinson will look to have a similar performance in his return from injury. He’s been waiting on this moment for a long time.
“He spent a lot of time in the training room,” said Kirby Smart. “That is a grueling injury to go through and work all the way back to the point where he didn’t get to go through all of spring.”
“So, this fall camp’s been big for him in terms of confidence,” continued Smart. “He’s gained confidence through special teams. He’s gained confidence through reps. But he had a good body of work before.”
When Georgia opens its season at noon ET against Clemson on Aug. 31 it will be time for Robinson to have his Nick Chubb moment.