Despite several nagging injuries, running back D’Andre Swift recorded an impressive 2018 season for Georgia, running for 1,049 yards and 10 touchdowns and grabbing 32 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns.
And with the departure of fellow running back Elijah Holyfield, it’s a pretty good bet that Swift will carry an even bigger load in the coming season.
The rising junior from Philadelphia said after Georgia's 10th spring practice Tuesday that he's ready to do as much as is needed.
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“Whatever workload (coach Kirby Smart) gives me, it’s my job to be ready for whatever that workload is,” said Swift, a second-team All-SEC selection last season. “I’m doing the best I can by staying ready. … I get to show everybody in the country what I can do with a high workload, so I’m ready.”
Quarterback Jake Fromm concurred with Swift’s assessment of himself.
“He’s ready,” Fromm said. “He’s had a great offseason, getting back healthy. I think this spring has been huge for him, and I can’t wait to see what he does this fall. I definitely think he’s capable of carrying as much of the load as he wants to carry, and I can’t wait to see him make a lot of plays.”
Swift added that he’s taking “maintenance” treatment every morning during the spring to address the foot and groin injuries he endured a year ago, and he pronounced himself in good shape.
“I’m feeling healthy; I can’t complain,” he said.
Given the Bulldogs’ hazy prospects in the receiving department, Swift probably can expect to be more of a pass-catching threat out of the backfield, a possibility he relishes.
“That’s big,” Swift said of pass-catching running backs. “That’s one of the talents God blessed me with, so I just try to work on that every day. Coach (James) Coley (Georgia’s offensive coordinator) is doing a great job of getting the running backs involved more in the passing game, and I think everybody will see that in our offense.
“We’ve got a lot of good receivers coming in, and we’ve got guys from last year who are doing a great job of stepping up and doing great right now. We’re pretty balanced in the offense.”
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