When it comes to Georgia’s backfield, things seem to have been coming in threes lately.

For the third straight season, Georgia has entered spring with the tailback trio of juniors Thomas Brown, Danny Ware and Kregg Lumpkin jockeying for playing time.

And for the third straight season, the triad will be running under a new coach.

Tony Ball enters his first year as Georgia’s running backs coach, filling a void left by the departure of Kirby Smart to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins.

Unlike Smart, Ball, who was an All-Century running back at Tennessee-Chattanooga, has an extensive background at the position to relate to his players.

“The main difference is his teaching style,” Lumpkin said. “With his experience, he can focus more with us on fundamentals.”

Fortunately, it does not appear that Ball will have to deal with a position controversy mere months into his tenure.

Right now, it appears that Georgia’s “three-headed tailback” will return to the backfield.

“It’s good for us because you’ve got to have balance,” Lumpkin said. “In the SEC, people can pick up what you’re doing fast.”

Last fall, the Bulldogs averaged 162.2 rushing yards per game, the third highest total in the SEC.

Combined, Brown, Ware and Lumpkin slashed through defenses for 1,563 yards and eight touchdowns.

Although the balance has been effective, it has not eliminated room for friendly competition.

“(The system) makes us continue to compete, and as a result we make each other better,” Brown said.

At the moment, it appears Brown is getting the best of competitors.

Brown, the first Bulldog to lead the team in rushing in consecutive years since Robert Edwards in 1996-1997, is penciled in as the starting tailback this spring.

According to his coaches, a ferocious start to practice is only furthering Brown’s status.

“Thomas Brown has had a dominating spring,” head coach Mark Richt said. “He is one guy that is really playing a level above.”

For Brown, Ware and Lumpkin, the biggest collective challenge may be filling the void left by No. 3.

D.J. Shockley tied Brown for the team lead in rushing touchdowns (four) and scrambled for 322 yards, fourth-highest on the team.

While many fans have claimed that Shockley’s departure will revert the Bulldogs to a more rush-heavy offense, the tailback trio is not buying into such adjustments.

“I don’t see that,” Brown said. “It’s important to have that balance of the run opening up the pass and the pass opening up the run.”