In his first two seasons in Athens, D’Andre Swift has been used mostly as a change of pace back in Georgia’s offense. After never getting more than 10 carries his freshman season, Swift was used significantly more as a sophomore but he enters 2019 with a career-high of 17 carries, which came last season against Auburn.

Kirby Smart has made it clear the Georgia running game will be run through Swift this season and while the junior back has yet to prove he can handle that workload, he’s definitely not running from that challenge this spring.

During his recent media availability, Swift noted he’s fully healthy and “feeling good” this spring, which hasn’t always been the case during his career in Athens. When asked to share his comments on Smart making it clear he will be the team’s lead back next season, Swift made it known he’s getting himself prepared for the upcoming workload.

“Whatever workload they give me, I gotta make sure it’s my job to be ready for whatever that workload is,” Swift said in a video posted to YouTube by DawgPost. “I’m just doing the best that I can by staying ready.”

Swift is eager to show he’s much more than just an explosive option out of the backfield and that he can be counted on to carry an offense’s run game. Based on his comments, he’s very aware that some may still be doubting his ability to do just that next season.

“I get to show everybody around the country what I can do with a high workload. I’m ready,” Swift added.

Georgia’s junior running back is in this position after Elijah Holyfield declared early for the 2019 NFL Draft. With Holyfield now gone, Swift will likely be asked to replace many of the 159 carries Holyfield had last season.

Here’s what Swift had to say when asked if he knew Holyfield would be leaving school early.

“I was asking him about it. We talked about it, he was kinda up and down, didn’t really know. I knew it was a possibility,” Swift answered. “His choice, I was going to support him either way, so I’m happy for him now.”

Nothing says the junior can’t be happy for his friend and himself at the time same because Holyfield’s decision will likely prove to be a great thing for Swift in 2019. If Georgia’s outstanding back proves himself on the field next fall, it will be Swift that is likely to hear his name called early this time next year when the 2020 NFL Draft kicks off.