ATHENS, Ga. — The list of standout freshman running backs at Georgia reads like a roll call of the most famous Bulldogs with fewer than four legs.

Knowshon Moreno's freshman season has outpaced all except for Herschel Walker. He is fourth in the Southeastern Conference among all-time freshman rushers. In the wake of his debut season, Moreno has raked in awards like fall leaves after a wind storm.

"Knowshon Moreno is the real deal," said former Georgia running back Tim Worley, who gained 627 yards in his freshman season in 1985. "The kid is going to make a great career at Georgia. He's going to bring the running back, back to Georgia. He's one of the best I've seen at Georgia in a while."

Georgia's freshman rushing list includes future NFL runners like Walker (1980), Rodney Hampton (1987), Keith Henderson (1985), Garrison Hearst (1990), Worley (1985) and even Hines Ward (1994). Moreno's current teammates Thomas Brown (2004) and Kregg Lumpkin (2003) are also on the top 10 list. Mid-season injuries to Brown and Lumpkin opened the hole for Moreno's season.

The Associated Press named Moreno the SEC freshman of the year. He was a first-team all-SEC running back by the AP and the coaches. CollegeFootballNews

.com picked Moreno as a first-team freshman all-American.

Moreno, from Middletown South High School in Belford, N.J., has run for 1,273 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. His 106.0 yards a game average is second in the nation among freshmen behind Pittsburgh's LeSean McCoy (110.6). Moreno has proven a dual threat with 18 catches for 227 yards, nearly all on screens.

"He can compare with anybody," former Georgia coach Vince Dooley said. "Anybody who can lug it 33 times against Florida and still have all his moves at the end of the game is a pretty good player."

Moreno gained 157 yards against Vanderbilt on Oct. 13 and topped that performance with 188 yards and three touchdowns against Florida. He was even better with 196 yards against Troy. He finished off the streak with 101 yards against Auburn and 124 yards against Kentucky. Georgia won all five games as it finished the season with six straight victories. His season is the best by a Georgia freshman since Walker set the NCAA freshman record with 1,616 yards during the national championship season in 1980. Moreno is also the first Bulldog runner to gain 100 yards in five straight games since Walker in 1982.

Moreno makes an impact with his rapid-fire cuts and exuberance. His runs can feature spins, dives and power all within a few steps. He almost always finishes runs by jumping off of the ground and running back to the huddle.

"The way he pops up off of the ground, he kind of reminds me of a young Walter Payton in that way," Worley said. "I think the kid is knowledgeable about the game. He understands the intensity level. Any time you're out there running and you're popping them and they're popping you, any time you jump up really quick like that, it messes psychologically with the guy who's hitting you. I've got to give it to this young kid. He's awesome."

Moreno was a backup to Brown and Lumpkin until injuries knocked both out in mid-season. Moreno has started the last six games, all Georgia victories.

Moreno brings energy to the field and to the locker room. His infectious intensity has inspired his teammates on the practice field and given a spark to a team that has sometimes been accused of being emotionally vanilla.

"This guy is playing with the type of effort we expect here at Georgia," Bulldogs offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said. "It gets to some of the guys on your own team. They get to thinking I've got to play as hard as that guy and do what he's doing."

"I'll tell you. The kid's got all the tools," Worley said. "He puts you in mind of Garrison Hearst a little bit. But I think he's a little more elusive and his feet are a little quicker."

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