Unheralded Fullback Becoming a Star for Bulldogs

October 17, 2001 | Football

Oct. 17, 2001

By PAUL NEWBERRY
AP Sports Writer

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) - When someone mentions Georgia's running backs, Herschel Walker and Garrison Hearst are among the first who come to mind.

Verron Haynes prefers to focus on guys such as Olandis Gary and Robert Arnaud.

They didn't put up huge numbers in college, but they went on to make it in the NFL.

"Not every Georgia running back has the career of Herschel Walker or Garrison Hearst, but we're all hard workers," said Haynes, the Bulldogs' senior fullback. "If you believe in us and give us a chance, we'll get the job done."

Haynes has always been regarded as more of a blocking back at Georgia, where he has only 22 carries in the three years since transferring from Division I-AA Western Kentucky.

But Haynes made one of the biggest catches in school history - a 6-yard touchdown with five seconds left to beat then-No. 6 Tennessee - and is getting a larger role in the offense, with top rusher Musa Smith hindered by a groin injury.