This isn’t the “Shon” in the Georgia backfield you thought you knew. This is the new “Shaun” – Washaun Ealey, the freshman Georgia fans got to know last Saturday.

Though the “Shaun” is spelled differently, comparisons to former Georgia backfield star Knowshon Moreno began when Ealey hit campus.

They both arrived at the University listed as 5-foot-11, 205-pounds. And when the coaches handed Ealey a uniform before this season, it had Moreno’s trademark No. 24 stitched on the back.

Linkage to arguably Georgia’s best tailback not named Herschel could be overwhelming for a first-year college student.

“People, they comment a lot, saying I’m the new thing,” Ealey said. “I just try to look forward as another great back at Georgia. Try to get better, and try to be another great back.”

Ealey said he “hesitated” when running backs coach Bryan McClendon called his name in the third quarter against LSU. He had anticipated going in, but needed a second to compose himself. And to further heighten the intensity of the moment, the game was stalled because of a television timeout. Ealey had to stand and wait, contemplating the pitch he was about to receive.

“He didn’t really say much,” said Georgia fullback Shaun Chapas. “We were all standing around and you could look at him and tell that he was ready to run the ball.”

After the wait, Ealey ripped an 8-yard carry, the longest run of the game by a Georgia tailback, providing a refreshing moment in the midst of a stagnant rushing attack. Rotation front-runners Caleb King and Richard Samuel averaged 1.5 yards a carry against the Tigers, evidencing a shake-up was needed.

“When [running backs coach Bryan McClendon] first called me in, I was nervous,” Ealey said. “But when I got in the huddle, all the guys were cheering me on, telling me to run, so I was good after that.”

After the carry, Ealey bounced up off the ground, and headed directly back to the huddle, as if the running back position was now his.

“Yeah I just like to get in there and get the team up with enthusiasm,” he said. “The offensive line, I know they are down and tired sometimes, so I’m just trying to pick them. I’m a team guy, running hard and trying to make plays.”

Ealey finished the game with eight carries for 33 yards, an average of just over four yards a run.

“The best thing about him is he’s hungry,” said quarterback Joe Cox. “He’s been wanting to play and he finally got his chance. You could tell he was running really hard and he was just excited to be in the game.”

A hyperextended elbow kept Ealey on the sideline during Georgia’s first four games, as coach Mark Richt said the injury forced the tailback out of precious preseason practice, where freshman learn how to play football the Georgia way.

The coaching staff worked Ealey back into the rotation slowly, because of the elbow and to make sure he wasn’t overwhelmed with the offensive philosophy.

“Yeah they’ve put me in a good situation,” Ealey said. “They ask me before they just throw me in. That’s what I really like about them. They talk to me, they communicate with me and try to make sure I know what I’m doing.”

Ealey has ran to success before – jaw-dropping success.

He rushed for 8,108 yards in high school. That’s 4.6 miles gained. And he set the Georgia high school record with 133 touchdowns, 22 more than the previous record holder.

(Pause and double take those numbers.)

He also delivered Emanuel County Institute its first state championship in 2007.

While in high school, Ealey watched Knowshon, and isn’t shying away from the comparison now.

“I love red and black,” he said. “I just know Georgia’s history at running back. I know they’ve always been good, tough and they liked to run the ball.”

Let’s not kid: It was only one game and eight carries. And the coaches didn’t use Ealey on a single passing down, an indication he’s not ready to catch passes or pick up the blitz in protection.

“I just try to work hard, keep getting better,” he said. “I can never stop getting better. I’ll keep working and hopefully I’ll become a complete back and get to the next level.”

For what it’s worth, four of Ealey’s family members will head to Knoxville Saturday, attending their first road game of the season, proving he plans on playing. If the freshman had hesitation before entering a contest at home, imagine the feeling in his stomach before a handoff in Neyland Stadium, with 100,011 fans screaming and clamoring.

“I’m a little nervous,” Ealey admitted.

“Hopefully I can overcome that. I know I’ve got my teammates to back me up. I’m going to get in there and keep working hard and running hard.”

Regardless, Georgia has released the new “Shaun” because of a rushing attack that’s way down from last year. As a team, the Bulldogs are averaging a full yard less per carry than last season. Ealey said he planned to keep improving in order to help Georgia balance the offense.

“He’s very, very confident in his game,” said Bulldogs’ receiver Tavarres King. “That’s what you need – a little swagger on the field. Knowshon had swagger and Washaun has swagger. I like that. I like that in a ball player.”