FILE -Georgia running back Branson Robinson (22) runs the ball an NCAA college football game against Auburn Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Athens, Ga. Branson Robinson, who showed his potential to emerge as a lead running back at Georgia by rushing for two touchdowns in the Bulldogs' 2022 national championship game win over TCU, will miss this season after suffering a ruptured patellar tendon. Coach Kirby Smart announced Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023 that Robinson, a sophomore, suffered the injury on Tuesday.(AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Coach Kirby Smart said on Wednesday that Georgia running back Branson Robinson, the previous No. 1 pick in the 2022 class who carried for 341 yards as a freshman, will miss the season due to a ruptured patellar tendon.
According to Smart, Robinson sustained the injury during a noncontact drill on Tuesday at practice.
Smart stated, “It won’t affect our run-pass ratio.” “Our backs are competent. He was among our more capable backs. We believe he was kind of coming into his own last year when he was healthy. He was getting his pass protect training. We were very pleased about his destination because he had a great spring while travelling. He was quick-witted, explosive, and capable of running the ball and passing plays that some of the other players might not have been able to.”
Following his offseason recovery from a turf toe ailment, Robinson was “looking good” lately.
Throughout preseason training, Kendall Milton, the expected starter who ran for 592 yards and eight touchdowns the previous season, has been troubled by a hamstring problem. Although Milton has recently taken more reps, Smart claimed that he is still not fully well.
“The running backs will be chosen by committee, as has always been the case here,” Smart remarked.
Following back-to-back national titles, and with a preseason ranking of No. 1 in the AP poll, Georgia will be starting a new offence this year with former starting quarterback Stetson Bennett and former coordinator Todd Monken both heading to the NFL.
Carson Beck, Bennett’s primary backup, will start the season as the starting quarterback against UT Martin on September 2, according to information disclosed by Smart on Saturday.
Mike Bobo, an assistant on staff for over a decade, was elevated from analyst to offensive coordinator in February. Bobo played quarterback for Georgia from 1994 to 1997.
