Georgia football shifts its focus to top 2023 running back

The 2023 recruiting cycle is full of elite running backs, and of course, Georgia football aims to land one of the top guys in the country. As RBU, the Dawgs are always signing talented running backs to keep that legacy going.

One thing seems inevitable, and that is Justice Haynes will be one of the backs the Dawgs take. That recruitment isn’t over, but with him being a legacy player, Georgia needs to find a way to sign him because he is good, and it isn’t just a name.

However, the second back is still up in the air, but after this past weekend, running back coach Dell McGee seems to have his eyes set on a huge prospect. The interest didn’t just start last week but has been one that McGee and this player have had for a few years now.

Georgia football shifts its focus to landing the top running back in 2023.

Earlier this year, Reuban Owens was the running back that seemed to get a lot of love and someone that could fill that spot, but now it’s Richard Young who has emerged as the guy.

Georgia will still keep Owens in the loop, but in my opinion, if they had to pick, Young would be who the Dawgs would want first dibs to sign.

He visited last weekend, and that relationship with McGee continues to grow. Young is someone McGee has watched since his freshman year, so these two go way back.

At 5-11 and 200-pounds, Young is a lot like a Todd Gurley or even a Derrick Henry kind of running back. He carries that large body well and has a lot of speed. Georgia hasn’t seen a running back like this in a long time, and McGee would have a blast developing him for the next level.

According to the latest 247Sports Composite rankings, Young is the No. 18 overall, the No. 1 running back and the No. 6 player out of Florida.

Last season as a junior, Young toted the rock 196 times for 1,755 yards and 19 scores while averaging 8.9 yards a touch. He is a stud who has a lot of upside.

Even with him being the No.1 running back, Young has some room to improve, but he is an interesting prospect because of his size. That long stride, paired with his ability to make one cut and outrun defenders, is just so much fun to watch on film.

He has excellent balance, and it’ll take more than one defender to tackle him. Not to mention, Young has great vision and is patient enough to wait for holes to develop so that he can get up field.

Young could use some work with his pass blocking, but that is something he can learn and improve with time. He has great hands and can be a trusted receiver in the passing game. There isn’t much Young can’t do, and to be blunt, he is a total running back.

Head coach Kirby Smart visited the 5-star back in January, and he has visited campus a few times. It wouldn’t surprise anyone to see him back in Athens sooner than later. It would be a big win if he showed up for G-Day on April 16.

Owens is still someone the Dawgs need to show love to if this recruiting process doesn’t work out with Young because Owens is quite talented too and would fit right in with the other Georgia backs.

However, if McGee puts on the charm and uses his best sales pitch — he will be a Dawg.

Georgia football didn’t completely shy away from Owens, but it’s evident who the top choice is, and Young is that guy. The Dawgs need to push the throttle down with this one because he is a game-changing running back that Georgia hasn’t had on their squad in quite a while.