Mark Richt inherited three established running backs when he arrived at Miami, including a 1,000-yard rusher (Joseph Yearby) and an ESPN 300 recruit who scored nine touchdowns as a freshman in 2015 (Mark Walton).

But which one is Richt really excited about?

“This Gus Edwards kid,” Richt beamed, “is pretty dang good.”

In 2014 as a sophomore, backing up Duke Johnson, Edwards rushed for 349 yards and six touchdowns. But a foot injury cost him all of last season. He’s healthy now, however, and his ceiling is high, Richt believes.

Miami running back Gus Edwards (7) missed all of the 2015 season to a foot injury. Bob Donnan/USA TODAY Sports

So would Richt really bounce a 1,000-yard rusher from last season down the depth chart?

It makes some sense. While Miami’s ground game has recently thrived under smaller, quicker rushers -- Yearby and Johnson were each 5-9 and just a tick over 200 pounds -- Richt’s best backs at Georgia in recent years tended to be bruisers. For example:

In other words, Edwards -- 6-2, 230 -- looks the part.

And for Miami, finding a bruiser who can move might be crucial in Richt's first season.

While Johnson was an elite runner in space, the Hurricanes struggled mightily in short-yardage situations during his years as the starter (ranking 99th nationally in short-yardage conversions) and were even worse last year, when Miami converted just 47.7 percent of its tries on third-and-3 or less.

Meanwhile, Yearby and Walton combined to average just 4.2 yards per carry on runs that weren't counted as sacks. Only Wake Forest and Kansas were worse among Power 5 programs.

The trickle-down effect was significant, resulting in more first-down passes, fewer third-down conversions and a 12-percent drop in production on play-action passes.

Of course, that can’t all be blamed on the backs. The offensive line was a weak link, too, with non-QB runs averaging just 2.32 yards per rush before contact, 57th among the Power 5 schools. While Richt is hopeful that can change this year, he admits the margin of error is razor thin.

“We probably have six or seven [O-linemen] that can play and be really competitive,” he said. “If we get one or two hurt, it may be trouble.”

Perhaps Edwards’ return will five Miami a physical presence that makes up for problems on the line. Maybe the line will take a step forward and remain healthy. Perhaps Richt’s new system will help the offense, too. Regardless, Richt feels confident -- if not altogether assured just yet -- that there will be improvement in the rushing attack from a year ago.

“I have high hopes; I’ll say that,” Richt said.