ATHENS — Herschel Walker saw Nick Chubb play in person a couple of times last season, but Georgia’s 1982 Heisman Trophy winning running back said he didn’t speak with the Bulldogs 2015 Heisman Trophy candidate before Thursday because he didn’t want “to take him out of his zone,” on gameday.

They got a chance to talk with Walker in town for an appearance with former Georgia coach and athletic director Vince Dooley at the UGA high school coaching clinic.

Chubb rushed for 1,547 yards in 2014, which trails only Walker’s 1,616 in 1980 for a Georgia freshman.

“You’ve got to want to watch Chubb,” Walker said. “This kid came on as a freshman. Just think if he had started the whole season what he could’ve done. And that’s what’s so amazing, if he had started the whole season and he came up out of the season as healthy as he did. Now one thing that I like about him is the game is over, practice is over, and the kid is still out there doing work.”

Walker was being escorted around the practice field Thursday by athletic department staffer Mike Cavan, who recruited Walker out of Wrightsville.

The game has changed since then.

“When you see football today, you see a choir playing at running back,” Walker said. “You see about 10 guys running in and out of the game. This guy (Chubb) carried the ball 30 some times. That is absolutely amazing. That shows you the worth that he is. I’m amazed.”

Chubb last season had 38 carries against Missouri, 33 against Louisville and 30 against Arkansas. Walker also had three games his freshman season with at least 30 carries.

“The ball is a little bit heavier now,” Walker said. “I think the Patriots are the only ones that think it’s not as heavy.”

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