As Georgia’s 19-year-old running back emerges as the true crisis beyond Carson Beck, an insider raises concerns for Kirby Smart.

As the Georgia Bulldogs prepare for the 2025 college football season, the eyes of the college football world have been fixated on the quarterback position, where Carson Beck, the highly-anticipated new starting quarterback, is tasked with filling the shoes of Stetson Bennett, who led Georgia to back-to-back national championships. However, while much of the media focus has been on Beck and his ability to lead Georgia’s offense, there is another, much quieter storm brewing in Athens. Georgia’s 19-year-old running back has been emerging as the true crisis that could define Georgia’s season, casting a shadow over even the quarterback battle and raising questions for head coach Kirby Smart.

This running back, though still raw and developing, is expected to play a pivotal role in Georgia’s offense in 2025. The challenges surrounding his development, coupled with Georgia’s need for a dependable ground game, have led insiders to question how Smart will manage the situation. With Georgia’s rich history of dominant running backs, such as Nick Chubb, Sony Michel, and D’Andre Swift, expectations for the next player to carry the torch have always been high. But as the 19-year-old running back now stands as a central figure for Georgia’s offense, a crisis is beginning to unfold. Could Kirby Smart’s program find itself in jeopardy if this young player doesn’t live up to the hype or fails to develop as needed?

The Emergence of the 19-Year-Old Running Back

The 19-year-old running back in question is a player that has shown flashes of brilliance, earning rave reviews during practices and scrimmages. His speed, agility, and vision have all been identified as strengths that could make him a game-changer for Georgia. However, the sudden rise of the young back into a crucial role for the Bulldogs’ offense may be premature given the level of competition and expectations within the SEC. While the player’s talent is undeniable, his experience and ability to handle the pressures of playing in one of the most demanding football conferences in the country are untested.

Georgia is a program that has long relied on its running backs to carry a significant portion of the offense. Under Smart, Georgia’s running back depth has consistently been a major strength. However, with the departure of several key running backs, including Kenny McIntosh, and with little proven depth behind the 19-year-old, the team is left in a precarious position. The emergence of the 19-year-old running back as the centerpiece of the offense could turn into a crisis if he fails to live up to his potential or, worse, if he suffers an injury that leaves Georgia scrambling for answers in the backfield.

The Growing Pressure on the Running Back Position

The running back position has always been one of the pillars of Georgia’s offense under Kirby Smart. With a physical running game, Smart has built his program on dominating time of possession and controlling the line of scrimmage. It is no secret that the Bulldogs’ ability to win games has largely been contingent upon their ability to establish the run.

But with Kenny McIntosh now in the NFL and the uncertainty surrounding Georgia’s backfield depth, it is clear that Smart faces a significant challenge. The 19-year-old running back, though possessing immense potential, has yet to prove himself at the collegiate level. His ability to handle a full workload in the SEC is untested, and his ability to take on the physical demands of being a starting running back in such a competitive environment remains to be seen.

What happens if this young player falters under the pressure? What if he cannot handle the mental and physical toll of an SEC season? If Georgia’s running game struggles, it could derail their entire offense, especially since Smart has designed his system to rely heavily on the success of the running game. If the 19-year-old running back is unable to carry the load, Georgia’s offense could face a significant setback.

The Impact on Carson Beck’s Development

While much of the attention has been focused on Carson Beck as the new starting quarterback, the success of Beck’s tenure will also be dependent on the performance of Georgia’s running game. Historically, Georgia has been known for a balanced offensive attack, and in that system, the running back is not just a complementary piece but a focal point. If the 19-year-old running back cannot emerge as a reliable contributor, Beck will have to shoulder more of the load, which could put unnecessary pressure on the young quarterback.

Beck has shown flashes of potential, but leading a top-tier SEC team with a dominant running game behind him will be key to his success. If Beck is forced to carry the offense without a balanced attack, he will be more vulnerable to opposing defenses that can focus solely on the passing game. The success of Beck’s development as a quarterback is directly tied to the effectiveness of Georgia’s running game. If the 19-year-old running back fails to perform at the level expected of him, Beck’s growth could be stunted as he faces mounting pressure to perform without the luxury of a reliable rushing attack.

The Depth Behind the 19-Year-Old Running Back

Georgia’s running back depth is another major concern for Smart as the 2025 season approaches. The Bulldogs have often relied on a committee of backs, rotating fresh legs throughout the game to wear down opposing defenses. This approach has allowed Georgia to maintain a dynamic, versatile offense. However, if the 19-year-old running back is not able to take on the lead role, Georgia may not have the depth to sustain a successful running game throughout the season.

With Kenny McIntosh no longer in the fold, there are concerns about the lack of proven depth behind the 19-year-old. The Bulldogs will need at least one or two reliable backups who can contribute in the event of injury or poor performance from the young starter. But as of now, Smart’s backfield options seem limited. Without depth, Georgia could find itself in a difficult position if the young running back fails to live up to expectations.

If injury strikes, Smart may be forced to rely on inexperienced or underdeveloped players to fill the void. This scenario would be less than ideal for a program with national championship aspirations. The pressure on the 19-year-old to succeed becomes even more immense when factoring in the uncertainty surrounding the players behind him on the depth chart.

The Bigger Crisis: Kirby Smart’s Response

While Kirby Smart’s defense remains one of the best in the country, it is his offense—particularly the running back situation—that could ultimately define Georgia’s 2025 season. Smart has built a winning formula centered around a balanced offensive attack, but if that balance is disrupted by a lack of consistency at running back, it could send the Bulldogs’ offense into disarray.

What makes this situation particularly concerning is that Smart has often leaned on his offense’s ability to control the game through the ground. If the running back situation unravels, Smart will be faced with difficult choices. Does he force Carson Beck to throw the ball more, exposing him to potential mistakes and growing pains? Does he try to implement a more pass-heavy offense, which may not align with the identity he’s cultivated for Georgia? These are questions that could very well determine the Bulldogs’ success in 2025.

At the same time, Smart must manage the development of the 19-year-old running back with care. The young player will need time to adjust to the physical demands of SEC football, and Smart’s ability to nurture his growth while keeping the team competitive will be key. If he is unable to get the best out of his running back, the ripple effects on the offense and the entire season could be catastrophic.

Looking Ahead: A Critical Season for Kirby Smart

In many ways, Georgia’s 2025 season rests on the shoulders of Kirby Smart’s ability to manage this developing crisis. If the 19-year-old running back becomes a reliable centerpiece of the offense, it could ease the pressure on Carson Beck and solidify Georgia’s offensive attack. However, if the young back falters, Smart will have to find a solution quickly or risk the entire team’s championship hopes being derailed.

The situation also highlights how deeply interconnected the different elements of a football team are. While Smart’s defense may continue to shine, his offense will require a functioning running game to compete for another national title. If the crisis at running back worsens, Smart may find himself in a tough spot. However, if the 19-year-old rises to the occasion, it could be a defining moment in Georgia’s season—and a testament to Smart’s ability to manage adversity.

As the 2025 season looms, the question will not just be whether Carson Beck can live up to expectations as the starting quarterback, but whether Kirby Smart can successfully navigate the uncertainty at running back and ensure that Georgia’s offense remains as potent as ever. With the pressure mounting, Smart will need to carefully manage this crisis in the backfield for the Bulldogs to continue their march toward another championship.