3 key questions for Georgia running backs, including Zamir White expectations

This is part of a series to preview Georgia football’s 2020 season through a closer look at each of the Bulldogs’ positions. Today we’re looking at the running backs.

Key departures: D’Andre Swift, Brian Herrien

Projected depth chart: Zamir White, James Cook, Kenny McIntosh, Kendall Milton

Is Zamir White ready for the spotlight?

In a decade filled with special running back talent, White arrived in Athens carrying perhaps the most fanfare of all recent Georgia backs. Sporting the mythological nickname of Zeus and a high school highlight tape to match, everyone around the program eagerly anticipated White’s debut.

Then he tore his ACL in a scrimmage prior to the 2018 season, missing the entire campaign. He slowly became more involved as last season went on and culminated his first year of collegiate action with a 18-carry, 92-yard performance in the Sugar Bowl.

Now, White looks primed to fill the 1A running back role that has been occupied by D’Andre Swift the past two seasons. Georgia’s stockpile of talent will allow for plenty of rotation as always, but White will likely receive the lion’s share of carries.

Will he be able to hold up and live up to the expectations placed on him before he even arrived in Athens? Only time will tell.

How will James Cook be used?

Cook has been an interesting player over his two seasons in Athens. In a stacked running back room, he has lined up all over the field as the Georgia offensive staff has tried to find ways to get the ball in his hands.

Now, with Swift and Herrien gone, Cook rises near the top of the running back pecking order. Will he be used more as a traditional running back, or will his versatility lead to continued diversity in how he is used?

He’s shown he can be a weapon in the passing game, hauling in 16 passes for 132 yards a season ago. Cook’s skillset definitely makes him a weapon — now it’s up to offensive coordinator Todd Monken to figure out how best to use him.

How will the battle for the third running back spot shake out?

The third running back spot at Georgia is far from an unheralded position. White mainly filled that role last season and he ran for 408 yards on 78 carries, finding the end zone three times.

Heading into 2020, the battle for that spot appears to be between sophomore Kenny McIntosh and incoming four-star freshman Kendall Milton. McIntosh showed his flashes last season, rushing for seven yards per carry, but much of that was in mop-up duty.

Both of these backs undoubtedly will see plenty of the field in the 2020 season. Which one will see more, however, will be determined as the season draws closer.