Dallas and Homer played over Lingard because they were better players. When Lingard signed, everyone assumed he would take carries from those two right away. That didn't happen because of his limitations.
Richt had Todd Gurley and still found a way to get Sony Michel and Nick Chubb meaningful touches as soon as they stepped on campus. RB is not an experience position. There is some pass pro to learn, but you can either run or you can't. The fact that Lingard didn't get any meaningful touches under Richt should tell you all you need to know.
Then he got hurt. If he was healthy, he would've been ahead of Burns. Harris would have probably beaten him out. Sucks to lose him but there's no conspiracy here.