Georgia players who benefit most from strong second scrimmage

It seems like Georgia started preseason camp a couple of days ago but here we are, over 14 practices into camp. Classes started on Wednesday and while Georgia is still in camp mode, it isn’t all football, all the time like it was for the better part of two weeks. Still, there’s a massive scrimmage coming up on Saturday, one that will help the coaching staff figure out who’s ready to be a part of the week-one game plan. With that in mind, DawgsHQ is identifying the players we think will benefit most from a strong showing.

WR Dillon Bell: We haven’t heard a ton about Bell since the start of preseason practice. We know he’s going to be a factor but Saturday’s scrimmage could go a long way toward defining his role to start the 2023 season. Bell has great speed and a catch-and-run skill set. He had at least one really good scrimmage last preseason and could use another.

S JaCorey Thomas: We’ve started to hear some buzz about the sophomore from the Sunshine State. Thomas is a gifted football player who possesses the instincts and fearlessness of a great safety. A good showing in the scrimmage might allow him to break through with some meaningful reps early in the season. If that happens and he impresses, it’ll earn him an even bigger role.

OL Austin Blaske: The fourth-year junior has been battling an illness until recently. He dropped some weight but not so much that there’s a concern. Now he’s healthy and improving with every practice. Based on what we’re told, the plan is still to get him plenty of work at tackle and, for now, he’s the guy able to swing and play left or right. He’ll get looks at both on Saturday and needs a strong scrimmage to solidify a rotational spot.

DE Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins: The redshirt sophomore was back on the practice field earlier this week and that’s great news considering he had a tremendous spring. Ingram-Dawkins is one of the most talented football players on the roster and Georgia wants to try and find ways to get him on the field. First he needs to get back in the flow and that started with practice this week. The scrimmage is the next step.

RB Andrew Paul: The brace is off and Paul is steadily improving. With Kendall Milton and Branson Robinson dinged up and Roderick Robinson still learning, Paul has a chance to jump into that No. 2 running back role behind Daijun Edwards. Paul impressed in the 2022 preseason scrimmages. It’s asking a lot of him to do that again considering it’s around this time last year that he tore his ACL, but that doesn’t change the fact that opportunity knocks.

ILB Jalon Walker: It has been a quiet camp for the former four-star prospect. Walker is undoubtedly getting plenty of run at inside linebacker and as an EDGE on third down, but, to our knowledge, he hasn’t broken out yet. The scrimmage would be a great place to make that happen.

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