Moreno the future at running back for Dawgs

ATHENS – On signing day earlier this year Georgia got a commitment from what seems to be their future at running back.

Announced at a ceremony at his high school, Knowshon Moreno committed and signed with the Bulldogs, thus giving the Bulldogs at least some indication of where they will be going in the next couple of years at running back.

Georgia got their first glimpse of Moreno in the summer of 2005 when the then high school senior came down for the Dawgs’ individual camp. Moreno impressed while he was down south.

“He competed as hard as anybody we’ve ever had at a camp,” head coach Mark Richt said of Moreno. “Even I was wondering, ‘Why are we working these guys so hard? We’re going to chase them away.’ But Knowshon never flinched, and he somehow fell in love with Georgia in that time frame.”

One factor was fellow New Jersey native Kade Weston’s presence on the Bulldogs’ roster. The pair are good friends, and that made the decision to come to Georgia easier for Moreno.

Moreno finished his high school career with 128 touchdowns. He was New Jersey’s all-time leading scorer, rushed for 1,808 yards on 185 carries and scored 43 touchdowns in ten games as a senior. His astronomical 6,268 career rushing yards is second all-time in New Jersey state history.

“He’s going to be good,” fullback Jason Johnson said with a smile. “He’s going to be real good. He’s fast. He’s a quick learner.”

Still, Moreno might have to get used to watching this year. It is expected that he will redshirt this fall although that has not yet been determined. He is behind one of the top trios of running backs in the country, and it’s going to be hard to get playing time considering the talent in front of him on the depth chart

“I want to do what’s best for the team,” he said. Moreno could work his way onto the field on special teams, as he is also working a bit at punt return.

“I think being behind those three would be tough for anyone,” said Johnson, who should know. He was playing tailback until this fall when he switched full time to fullback in order to get more playing time. “They are like the three horsemen back there. But he’s going to get his time to shine, and when he does he’s going to show out.”

In the meantime, Moreno said he’s learning from Thomas Brown, Kregg Lumpkin and Danny Ware.

“They are great backs, and I am learning every detail I can from them and Coach Ball,” Moreno said.

Moreno’s body type is similar to Brown’s, although the freshman is taller. At the moment Moreno is dealing with a right hand sprain, but it is not thought to be serious.