ATHENS — During D’Andre Swift’s first two seasons at Georgia, he’s had the luxury of playing alongside star running backs such as Nick Chubb, Sony Michel and Elijah Holyfield. Going into this season, he will be counted on as the clear-cut No. 1 running back after Holyfield’s departure for the NFL.

Swift is ready for the increased workload he will see in the fall.

“Whatever workload he tries to give me, I just try to make sure it’s my job to be ready for whatever that workload is,” Swift said. “I’m just doing the best I can about staying ready.”

Swift averaged 6.4 yards per carry and rushed for 1,049 yards and 10 touchdowns while playing alongside fellow 1,000-yard rusher Holyfield.

Holyfield’s exit means the backfield offers Swift more chances for carries since there are few proven backs behind him. Rising senior Brian Herrien is the most steady, as he averaged 5.9 yards per carry last season on 50 carries. But highly-touted redshirt freshman Zamir White is still recovering from an August ACL tear and sophomore James Cook saw limited snaps in close games last season.

The third-year back from Philadelphia also possess the ability to catch the ball out the backfield. Quarterback Jake Fromm said he is excited to continue working with Swift’s receiving skills. 

“I mean that’s always huge, and it’s a part of who we are,” Fromm said. “To have those running backs get those catches in a game out the backfield, we think it’s a matchup that goes into our favor. The more they can catch out the backfield, the better for our offense.”

Swift looks forward to the play calls new offensive coordinator James Coley has drawn up. There are more plays designed for the running backs to catch the ball, Swift said. Last season, Swift had 32 receptions for 297 yards and three touchdowns.

Swift has led the running backs in pass catching the past two seasons. The last Georgia running back to outperform Swift in the pass game is Todd Gurley in 2013, when he hauled in 30 receptions for 344 yards.

“(Coley’s) getting the running backs more involved in the passing game,” Swift said. “A lot of exotic stuff on offense that the world can be on lookout for this season.”

Georgia has regularly deployed a two-headed monster at running back, and White, a former five-star recruit, could be a dangerous backfield partner for Swift. White has not been able to practice this spring as he is recovering from injury, but Swift said White has gotten stronger, and can’t wait to see what the redshirt freshman will do this season.

“When (White) gets healthy, I know he gone hit the ground running,” Swift said. “I can’t wait to see him go. He works so hard, he got so strong, he got real strong.”

Herrien could be featured more, however, he’s never amassed over 400 rushing yards in a season during his career.

Swift said Cook has all the talent in the world but needs to develop consistency in his game.

Whoever ends up as the backup running back for Georgia, they will have a peace of mind knowing Swift will take the bulk of the workload.

“(Swift’s) ready,” Fromm said. “[He] had a great offseason getting back healthy. I think this spring has been huge for him, and I can’t wait to see what he does this fall.”