Dwight Phillips is partially being overlooked at running back mainly because Georgia has Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens back this year, but it's time to start giving him his flowers.
The Georgia Bulldogs need to replace Zachariah Branch in the aggregate. Please pardon the “Moneyball” quote. The now-Atlanta Falcon was both a security blanket for Gunner Stockton and a threat to score every time he touched the ball with his rare burst and agility. It's that second element where the Bulldogs could get some help from a third-year player ready to make an impact.
Not another wide receiver though, but running back Dwight Phillips Jr.
“Dwight has worked his tail off,” head coach Kirby Smart said. “How can he help us? He’s one of the most explosive players we have on our offense. If we’re gonna be more explosive, then we’ve got to get guys that when they touch the ball, big plays happen.”
Dwight Phillips is a breakout candidate for Georgia
Georgia has Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens to handle the lead backfield duties, but if the Bulldogs can work Phillips in as a change of pace back and overall offensive weapon he could add a needed big-play element to this offense.
Phillips has incredible quickness, long speed and is shifty in the open field. They’re all traits that somewhat mirror what Branch can do with the ball in his hands. And while they play different positions, they’re both players who are at their best when they have the ball in space.
It won't be a one-to-one replacement, but Phillips could be a guy who comes in and gets some opportunities to make plays.
Smart hinted that Georgia might get Phillips the ball in a few different ways.
“The form of touches may change, but he’s gotta touch the ball because he’s been one of our most explosive guys,” he said.
Phillips has one heck of a pedigree. His father, Dwight Phillips Sr., is an Olympic gold medalist in the long jump which he won at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, of all places. (Athens, Greece, but who’s counting?). His mother Valerie is also a former track star.
Phillips appeared in nine games last year as a reserve back. He carried the ball 35 times for 210 yards and a touchdown.
So far in fall camp he’s reportedly turned heads. According to those who have attended, Phillips has ripped off multiple long touchdowns and has added weight. He’s a bit of an undersized back and is listed at 5-foot-10, 185 pounds, so the extra bulk could earn him some more opportunities on the field.
The Bulldogs are looking for more big plays any way they can get them. If Phillips can come in fresh off the bench and hit a long run every once in a while, it would be big. Those are the kinds of plays that swing games sometimes.
Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo talked about finding ways for Georgia to create big plays and said it could come from just about anyone.
“Is there a young guy that emerges? Are these guys a little bit better than you thought of? We're more explosive in this [proverbial] personnel group,” he said. So it's an evolving thing that, as a coach, you're trying to find the right mixture of who to put on the field and when and try to help your team get first downs and be explosive.”
Phillips is definitely a candidate who can emerge in 2026.
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