All-time Great Herschel Walker has no problem living in the now when referring to Georgia football as “Running Back U,” and he explained why during Super Bowl week.
“I’ve been saying this for a long time, the running backs at the University of Georgia are doing some amazing things, not just (Sony) Michel and (Todd) Gurley, but you got (Nick) Chubb ….,” Walker told Fox5.
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“You look at the running backs that are at Georgia right now, incredible group that’s still there, (and) I’m excited about (Elijah) Holyfield that’s coming out.”
Indeed, Bulldogs’ returning junior back D’Andre Swift is considered among the top Heisman Trophy contenders in 2019.
Swift, with the benefit of his first healthy offseason, could approach 2,000 total yards with his running and receiving talents.
Swift figures to get a bigger workload with Holyfield headed to the NFL after a 1,000-yard rushing season in 2018.
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Georgia staked the claim to being Running Back U long before Sunday’s Super Bowl matchup featuring Gurley and Michel.
Former Bulldog and NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Davis was the latest of only seven running backs to win Super Bowl MVP honors with his 157-yard, 3-touchdown performance for Denver in Super Bowl XXXII.
Meanwhile, it doesn’t take a historian to recognize Walker as the greatest running back in college football history.
See Herschel run
Even for those who weren’t fortunate to witness Walker bulldoze or speed away from defenders in his day, grainy film and record books tell the story.
Walker rushed for more yards (5,259) and touchdowns (49) on more carries (994) than any other SEC running back in history
His three-year run of football terror from 1980-82 still ranks as the best in all of the NCAA ranks, no one yet to surpass his 994 carries and yardage marks in that timeframe.
Walker, in gracious fashion, directs the Running Back U. talk to the youth.
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“These guys are making the University of Georgia the Running Back U of colleges,” Walker said. “It’s got nothing to do with me — it’s got to do with those guys getting out and paying the price.
“When I played was a long, long time ago. Those guys are going out there paying the price and doing their thing, and that’s what’s important.”
Gurley and Michel will carry the torch on Super Bowl Sunday, but there’s no question who lit it it:
Herschel Walker Georgia football records
Most rushes game (47, 1981)*
Most rushes season (385, 1981)*
Most rushes career (994, 1980-82)*
Most rushes per game, season (35.0, 1981)*
Most rushes per game, career (30.1, 1980-82)*
Most rushes three seasons (994, 1980-82)*$
Most rushing yards, game (283, 1980)
Most rushing yards, season (1,891, 1981)*
Most rushing yards, career (5,259, 1980-82)*
Average yards per game, season (171.9, 1981)*
Average yards per game, career (159.4, 1980-82)*
Most rushing TDs ,career (49, 1980-82)
Average gain per rush, game (min. 40 rushes): (6.46, vs. Ole Miss, 1981)
Average gain per rush, career (min. 800 rushes): 5.29, 1980-82)
Most yards rushing by a freshman: (1,616, 1980)
Most yards rushing by a sophomore: (1,891, 1981)
Most yards rushing by a junior: (1,752, 1982)
Most yards rushing in 3 seasons: (5,259, 1980-82)*$
Most rushing games of 200+ by a freshman (4, 1980)
Most games gaining 100 yards or more in one season (11, 1981)
Most games gaining 200+, career (9, 1980-82)
Most games gaining 100+, career (28, 1980-82)
Most seasons 1,500 or more (3, 1980-82)
Most seasons gaining 1,000 or more (3, 1980-82).
Georgia rushing records Herschel Walker doesn’t have:
Most rushing TDs, game: Washaun Ealey (5 vs. UK, 2010)
Most rushing TD season: Garrison Hearst (19, 1992)
Average gain per rush, season: Nick Chubb (8.12, 2015)
Average gain per rush, season(min. 200 carries): Nick Chubb (7.06, 2014)
Average gain per rush, career: Todd Gurley (6.44, 2012-14)
Average gain per rush, game (min. 30 rushes): Nick Chubb (8.06, vs. L’Ville, 2014)
Average gain per rush, career (min. 500 rushes): Todd Gurley (6.44, 2012-14)
Most yards rushing by a senior: Nick Chubb (1,345, 2017)
