With running back depth an issue, Georgia's Tae Crowder could be called upon

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Georgia freshman running back Tae Crowder wanted the opportunity to play this season. But even he had to know it was going to be an uphill battle with Nick Chubb, Sony Michel, Keith Marshall and Brendan Douglas all ahead of him on the depth chart to start the year.

Having not logged a snap this season, Crowder is set for a redshirt and the ability to have four years of eligibility ahead. But with injuries taking their toll once again at running back, Crowder just might get his shot at playing time in Saturday's TaxSlayer Bowl against Penn State.

Chubb (knee) has been out since October, and Douglas is unavailable due to a wrist injury. Fullback Quayvon Hicks, who would be next in line for carries, is out with a knee injury. That leaves Crowder and sophomore A.J. Turman behind Michel and Marshall.

Crowder has been receiving third-team carries at running back, with a source stating he has seen occasional reps when the first-team offense has practiced against the first-team defense. Of course, that could be for preparation purposes and not with the intent that he actually will get in the game.

Whether Crowder plays or not will be a big decision for interim head coach Bryan McClendon.

"I think you have to prepare Tae just like you have any other game this season," McClendon said. "Just because of the depth issue, it is a little more real that he could play and everything like that. Obviously numbers would say so. But as far as preparing him to play, he's going to get prepared to play just like he has any other game this season."

Ideally, Georgia probably would want to preserve Crowder's redshirt. That's still a likely possibility, as long as Michel and Marshall are able to take on a large volume of carries against the Nittany Lions. If one goes down to injury, Crowder could be pressed into duty, which is something his high school coach, Harris County's Dwight Jones, said he has hoped for since the middle of the year.

"He's had a good attitude and has been positive about it," Jones said. "They would probably hate to lose a year in one game. I know he wants to play but he may want to save that year too."

Crowder, who was originally a slot receiver, didn't become a running back until his senior year of high school. He was moved to the position out of necessity in Jones' first season at Harris County after leaving Jones County. Crowder went on to have a huge senior season, rushing for 1,665 yards and 27 touchdowns. Jones said he saw Crowder showcase one of the "meanest stiff arms I've ever seen" while running the ball.

Originally committed to Georgia Southern, Crowder received a late offer from Georgia and decided he wanted to fulfill his dream of playing football in the SEC.

Back in August, which was the only time reporters have been able to speak with Crowder and most of the freshmen, Crowder said he was up for the challenge of joining Georgia's stacked running back stable.

"Basically, I just wanted to be that different guy, come in and bring new energy to them," Crowder said. "When the guys are tired or down, I want to be that guy to help them out, pick them up."

When Crowder switched his commitment to Georgia, Jones told folks his star running back would go on to surprise a lot of people with his talent. Crowder is still waiting for the opportunity to do so, which could come earlier than expected if needed.

Whatever McClendon and the Georgia coaching staff decides, Jones hopes it's with Crowder's best interest in mind.

"I want them to what's best for Tae Crowder," Jones said. "The coaches know what's going to be best for him. That's what you have to believe in. They'll do what they think is best for him. I know he wants to play but he also wanted to play the middle of the year. If he makes it Saturday and doesn't play then he's made it through a year of hell in terms of being a scout-team player. But he would have made it through the year and then won't have to worry about that anymore."

This story was originally published December 30, 2015 at 4:40 PM with the headline "With running back depth an issue, Georgia's Tae Crowder could be called upon ."