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Georgia's Branson Robinson is back from injury. Here are 3 things you should know

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The Georgia football team's roster is full of new faces this season, including nine scholarship signees through the transfer portal and another elite recruiting class that ranks near the top in the country.

Branson Robinson appears to be another new addition, having not played a game since the end of the 2022 season.

It looks like the redshirt sophomore running back will play a key role at a position in transition in Saturday's season opener against Clemson.

Daijun Edwards and Kendall Milton tried to make it in the NFL. Leading returning runner Roderick Robinson is out after toe surgery and Florida transfer Trevor Etienne could be suspended after an offseason arrest.

Here are three things you should know about Robinson:

Branson Robinson seemed ready to take off

The 5'10″, 220-pound player from Canton, Mississippi, ran for 330 yards on 68 attempts and scored three touchdowns as a true freshman in 2022.

That included 98 rushing yards on 12 attempts against Auburn, including a 15-yard touchdown run and two touchdowns in the 65-7 win over TCU in the national championship game.

“We were excited to see where he was going,” coach Kirby Smart said. “He was explosive and edgy and can do some things passing and running that maybe some of the other guys couldn't do.”

Injury ruins end of season

On August 22, 2023, just 11 days before the start of the season, Robinson tore his patellar tendon in practice and was out for the year. It was a non-contact injury that he sustained while cutting and planting.

Robinson already struggled with a foot injury in the preseason.

“He's had a tough time because he's had so many injuries in a row,” offensive guard Dylan Fairchild said. “I'm sure there are a lot of guys on the team, and I'm one of them. I felt bad for him. I don't think he had an ounce of pity or self-pity in him. He was just ready to get back on the field, and you can tell. You can see it in the way he presents himself every day. He's ready to attack every day. It's just a testament to his great attitude.”

Dell McGee, Georgia's running backs coach from 2016-2023, said last December before he was named Georgia State's head coach that Robinson was present at every meeting during his rehab process.

“He's very motivated,” McGee said. “He takes notes like he's a starter right now. I love his work ethic, I love his drive. He's got that — you all said it before, but a Nick Chubb mentality. He's just a different guy when it comes to coming back and getting ready physically and mentally.”

“Built like a brick house”

Robinson was the nation's fourth-best running back in the 2022 class, according to the 247Sports Composite. He stood out because, as McGee said before his freshman season, he was “built like a brick house.”

He chose Georgia. Tennessee, Alabama and Clemson were among his favorites.

“I've met him personally,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said this week. “Take a picture of this guy before the game. Wait until you see him.”

Robinson spent much of last season in the training room and was still limited in the spring.

“This fall camp was a big one for him in terms of confidence,” Smart said. “He gained confidence through special teams. He gained confidence through repetition.”

His experience from two years ago helps him with this.

“It's been great to have him back from a physical standpoint, his reliability, ball security, third down pickups and special teams,” Smart said. “He's just a really good football player. I love the way he goes about things.”

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