ATHENS - Ken Malcome knows what held him back the past two seasons, and what he changed to make himself Georgia's starting tailback entering the 2012 season.

He convinced his coach to trust him.

The tailback position has been a chaotic one at Georgia since Malcome arrived in 2010. There have been suspensions, arrests and production issues. Malcome, who redshirted in 2010, has seen Caleb King, Washaun Ealey, Isaiah Crowell and Carlton Thomas all leave campus early under circumstances not of their own choosing.

Malcome was almost one of those, deciding for one day last October to transfer. He changed his mind, only to be hit with a suspension for a reported positive drug test.

In all areas, Malcome was coming up short. He wasn't playing in games either, because he wasn't showing much in practice.

"I guess I wasn't running as hard as I have run since I've been up here. I felt like I had to prove to coach Richt the most I could do that," Malcome said.

Malcome was asked to expand on that.

"Last year he said he didn't play me because I wasn't dependable," Malcome said. "He wouldn't trust me if I got in trouble on and off the field. I haven't been in trouble, so that's one thing. And I know what to do. So I think he made peace with that. He knew I could run the ball, and he wanted to see (if) I can do it on a consistent basis."

That not only includes staying out of trouble, but making team meetings, arriving for study hall on time, and being a good teammate.

Malcome has turned it around. He earned the start in two of Georgia's final three games last year, and this preseason has held off highly-touted freshmen Keith Marshall and Todd Gurley.

Now that he's the starter, Malcome has to keep the young guys at bay.

"I don't know. I haven't really thought much about that question," Malcome said. "I know Keith and Todd are gonna go out there and try to do their best. And that's what I'm gonna do. So the only thing we can do is go out there and play."

Richt said after Wednesday's practice that he was interested in seeing how the running backs do against Buffalo. He didn't specify anyone, but if he's like the fans, he's most curious about Gurley and Marshall, who appear to have a knack for long, breakaway runs.

Malcome's specialty may be more about moving the pile.

"Coach always says, those hard four, five yard runs, that's what people look at," Malcome said.