Emptying the Notebook: Intel from week two of Georgia spring drills
Georgia is a third of the way through with spring drills. Five practices are in the books and the Bulldogs will get after it on Saturday plus Tuesday and Thursday next week before their first scrimmage on April 1.
DawgsHQ has spent the week checking with sources and gathering info. We unload it all for you below.
Still nothing surprising in the quarterback battle. Carson Beck has the leg up but I’m told that there’s some excitement about the progressions of Brock Vandagriff and Gunner Stockton. Beck is the most consistent but Vandagriff and Stockton have shown some impressive flashes. One source told me that they have seen a much better of Vandagriff this spring as compared to a year ago.
I was a bit surprised late this week when the running back position was brought up a couple of times by trusted contacts. Kendall Milton was the primary name and I’m told that he’s in the best shape of his Georgia career right now. Another source told me that it’s pretty clear that he was among the program’s hardest workers during winter workouts. When it comes to explosiveness and quickness, Milton has made some strides. I’m also told that Roderick Robinson, while flashing at times, still has so much to learn. I’ve also heard some good chatter on Branson Robinson and his tackle-breaking ability.
Another week, another source telling me how Brock Bowers is clearly bigger, stronger, and, as hard as it is to believe, faster. I was told again by a different source how he is bigger than he has ever been at UGA while also hitting some of his best GPS speeds. I also continue to hear great things about Lawson Luckie but, like Roderick Robinson, he has a long way to go in terms of learning the offense.
This must be the week that UGA’s non-transfer wideouts decided to make a move. I’ve heard some chatter about Dominick Lovett, similar to the end of last week, but after two practices this week I’ve heard much more about Arian Smith, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, and Dillon Bell. One source told me that Bell has had two great practices this week and that Rosemy-Jacksaint is making some plays after the catch that we didn’t see for his first two or three years on campus. Another contact who observed practice this week was impressed with how Smith seems to have rounded out his skill set some. He did some things over the middle and in the short-passing game that he hasn’t put on display thus far.
The first-team offensive line on Tuesday was Austin Blaske, Xavier Truss, Sedrick Van Pran, Tate Ratledge, and Amarius Mims from left to right. Based on what I’ve been able to piece together, it sounds like Blaske has a clear edge at left tackle and is having a really good spring. He’s getting a ton of reps and still working some at center. Earnest Greene is progressing but he’s still trying to get back into shape. I continue to hear good things about Micah Morris as well.
It sounds like the past two practices have been good ones for Jordan Hall. A trusted source who understands line play told me Thursday night that Hall is naturally heavy-handed and is the type of guy who isn’t going to get blocked much when he plays with an edge. He’s still a bit up and down based on what I’ve gathered but it’s a lot more up and down for the true freshman. I’ve also heard some good buzz about Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins. Full disclosure, a couple of trusted sources who have viewed practice this week have told me that they were a little underwhelmed with Bear Alexander. I don’t think think there’s any cause for concern. He has shown Georgia fans that he’s a player. I’m just telling you what I’m hearing.
When talking about the young Georgia outside linebackers, the gap between Damon Wilson and everyone else grew this week. I’m told that the former five-star prospect had a good week of practice and is growing up quickly. I’ve also heard some good chatter about C.J. Madden the past couple of days.
I fear that by the time Raylen Wilson and CJ Allen actually get a chance to play it will be hard for them to live up to expectations. The buzz for these two started about 30 minutes after they arrived on campus and it hasn’t really stopped. It was there when they were just working out and then again during bowl practices and again in helmets-only workouts and now again in full pads. I’m gonna be shocked if at least one of them isn’t in the rotation this fall.
Also, just an opinion here, but I haven’t heard much about Xavian Sorey at all this spring. Seeing as how Sorey worked the third-down role that was eventually taken over by Jalon Walker, and Walker isn’t out there this spring, I thought I would hear more.
I keep hearing that Nyland Green can’t be counted out when it comes to the cornerback spot opposite of Kamari Lassiter. I’m among those who thought that Daylen Everette would be the guy. I’d still put my money on Everette but Green, with a cast on his left hand, is having a really good spring. I’m also hearing good things this week on Georgia freshman A.J. Harris. Not a lot of talk about Smoke Bouie just yet. I’m interested to see where he works when the team scrimmages in eight days.
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