By: Drayton Hogarth

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

What was considered to be a source of strength coming into the Georgia Bulldog’s 2016 football season was the position of running back.

With running backs such as Nick Chubb, Sony Michel, Brandon Douglas, plus the addition of true freshmen Elijah Holyfield and Brian Herrien it was thought that they would be a strong stable of running backs, and while that is still true it is the level of play and contributions of that freshman running back Brian Herrien that has been the biggest surprise of the season.

While the offensive line has been rather inconsistent in the running game, Chubb has also been up and down in his play, which really could only be expected given the severity of his injury.

Sony Michel then suffered a broken forearm just before fall camp in an ATV accident, but has been solid in his play so far after missing the opener.

Douglas has seen fewer carries since fumbling in the red zone in that same opener versus the Tar Heels. The freshmen came to the program in different fashions, Elijah Holyfield, son of boxing legend Evander Holyfield, was a major running back target and has shown a couple of flashes, but should develop into a big time running back.

Brian Herrien was not as highly rated coming out of high school. It really wasn’t due to his play at New Manchester where he was a great running back, but Herrien had fallen behind in his academic work early in his high school career.

Herrien buckled down and worked his butt off to finally qualify very late in the recruiting cycle of 2016. Then after earning his qualifying test score, Herrien was able to become the final piece of the Georgia Bulldogs recruiting class.

Given that many scouts and recruiting services felt that Herrien would be unable to make up the ground and officially qualify for college, he was very under-valued as a college football player. However, no one could have imagined the late addition to the football squad would provide such a spark with his play on the field.

Herrien was able to get into the opening game against North Carolina, and would actually have 7 carries for 59 yards and scored a touchdown. Herrien has since provided solid play in backing up the returning Chubb and Michel, all season.

Even Coach Smart was emotional in talking about Herrien’s play in that opening game, “For that kid to come as far as he did, get thrust into the limelight and go out there and do what he did, it’s really special,” Smart said. “Tears almost came to my eyes when that kid had that touchdown run.”

However, it is more than just on the field that is the most impressive thing about Brian Herrien. He is not only a workout warrior, in addition to being a very good football player, but Herrien has continued to flex his muscles in the classroom as well.

Herrien has continued to maintain good grades and even made the Director’s Honor Roll for his first summer semester. Herrien is a true example of what a great representative of a true student athlete should be.

So while this season has not gone the way anyone associated with the Georgia program has wanted, the future is bright.

The deepest talent pool on this team is almost all freshmen. A true freshman quarterback in Jacob Eason, tight ends in Issac Nauta and Charlie Woerner, wide receiver Riley Ridley, and of course Brian Herrien; all should continue to develop into fantastic playmakers.

The Georgia tradition of great running backs will continue because of outstanding play by Brian Herrien. More importantly, Herrien can be held up as an example of how to make your goals happen when you set your mind to it, not only on the football field, but also in life.