D’Andre Swift: 5 things to know about the Georgia running back

D'Andre Swift is Georgia's top running back.

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Posted 2 weeks ago

D’Andre Swift is a sophomore running back for the Georgia Bulldogs and he will likely be the Bulldogs top ball carrier this season. Swift and UGA make their debut on Saturday when they take onGeorgia takes on South Carolina at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Swift is Georgia’s leading returning rusher from last season, but he will take on a bigger role with Sony Michel and Nick Chubb off to the NFL.

Here’s everything you need to know about Swift:

D’Andre Swift will replace Nick Chubb and Sony Michel

Chubb and Michel were the No. 2 and No. 3 rushers in school history, so Swift will certainly have big shoes to fill. But in a small role last season, Swift still managed to put big numbers as he ran for 618 yards last season on a whopping 7.63 yards per game.

And while Swift knows it’s a tall task, he’s also confident that he’s more than capable of replacing both players.

“I’ve got to show people what I can do,” Swift said earlier in the preseason. “I think I’m about to do that. I’m comfortable between the tackles. I feel like when I get into space, the highlights will come.”

As Swift proved in the SEC Championship game last year, the highlights will definitely come.

SWIFT INDEED pic.twitter.com/Faw9APj4pf

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) December 3, 2017

D’Andre Swift had one a great commitment video

Swift, originally from Philadelphia, so naturally he paid homage to Rocky Balboa when he made his decision to commit to Georgia. Swift joins two other Pennsylvania natives in Mark Webb and Ahkil Crumpton also hail from Philadelphia. Swift’s commitment video has close to a million views on Twitter alone. Watch it below:

It's finally here, I have made my decision… 😈😈😈😈😈😈 #OOOUUU pic.twitter.com/TShEa2Zh6k

— SWIFT7️⃣ (@DAndreSwift) September 1, 2016

D’Andre Swift will have some help in the backfield

Just like Chubb had Michel, Swift will share the backfield with a number of talented running backs. He’ll be joined by juniors Elijah Holyfield and Brian Herrien along with freshman James Cook. Zamir White was also going to figure into the equation but he is out for the season after he tore his ACL in preseason.

Despite the number of running backs Swift isn’t all that worried about the competition.

“I was never scared of any competition, anywhere I had to go, I was going to compete regardless of where I was at, any school,” Swift said. “So just coming into a role, playing more of the passing game, catching the ball, so I embraced my role.”

Swift will have a bigger load to carry in the first half of Saturday, as Georgia will be without James Cook for the first half as he is suspended due to a targeting ejection.

D’Andre Swift got high praise as a freshman

Jake Fromm wasn’t the only Georgia freshman to get recognized for his play last season. In addition to Fromm, Swift all made the SEC All-Freshman team. Swift also got recognized in the preseason this year as he was voted Second Team All-SEC. Georgia led all teams with. Twelve players on the various SEC teams. If Swift helps lead Georgia back to the College Football Playoff, he’ll likely move his way up onto the First Team.

D’Andre Swift is a great pass catcher as well

In addition to providing a spark in the ground game, Swift will also help out Fromm and Justin Fields in the passing game. Last season as a freshman, Swift was fifth on the team in receptions with 17 catches for 153 yards. With more snaps, especially on third down, Swift should see those numbers rise.