Rest & React: Lots to like on both sides of ball during Georgia spring game
ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia put a wrap on spring practice Saturday with the playing of its 2024 G-Day spring game at Sanford Stadium. There’s so much to break down from the Bulldogs’ action between the hedges (if you want to call those hedges) and plenty of time to do it with the next time we see this team coming on August 31st against Clemson. Georgia’s offense showed flashes of what it can be this season while the defense did its job for the most part too. While it can be tough to judge a spring game based on the simple fact that for every good thing on side does, there’s a bad thing on the other end, we’ll try to do that for you below. Here’s our reactions after resting on G-Day 2024…
*** Carson Beck seemed slightly off in his timing with some of his wide receivers early, but over the course of the day got on track. Throughout, there were examples of elite passes he made, dropping balls into tight spots only his receiver could catch them. That last drive showed exactly that. I’m not concerned about Beck at all with a pair of interceptions or just over 50% passing. He was asked to throw it 46 times, which would be a career-high for him. When this offense gets into the real season, there will be much more balance. I also expect Beck to continue to build more chemistry with his receivers over the course of the summer, bringing out those plays where the connection was on point more often.
*** Georgia’s defense more than held its own with the offense. Based on the reports we’ve heard throughout the spring, that hasn’t always been the case, but there seemed to be a chip on their shoulder Saturday to rise to the occasion with fans in the stands. Doing that without Malaki Starks and Smael Mondon makes matters even more impressive. That’s two of the team’s top three defenders that were sidelined, and their replacements proved to be capable. The fact that we’re not talking about JaCorey Thomas or the safeties seeming exposed definitely is a good sign with the competition that there is to replace Javon Bullard beside Stark. I was intrigued by the comments of Kirby Smart postgame on CJ Allen and Raylen Wilson. The head coach felt like he SHOULD’VE seen more out of them this spring from what it sounded like. Either way, throw Starks and Mondon back in there with the pieces that played on Saturday and this certainly is a formidable unit – and one that might get overlooked with the way this offense is going to make headlines.
*** I said Starks and Mondon were two of Georgia’s top three defensive players. The third of the three, Mykel Williams, was on display Saturday. With a tipped ball that he intercepted himself and several other plays he impacted, Williams had a strong showing. I am still interested to see what his role for this fall actually looks like (i.e. how much hand-in-the-dirt defensive end is he going to play as opposed to stand-up outside linebacker?). Both sides admitted to keeping things very vanilla, so I don’t think that we saw the full extent of what Georgia has planned for Williams. Still, he was impactful.
*** I came away from Saturday very impressed by Georgia’s running backs, something I’m not sure I expected to say after a spring game. While the stats don’t show more than 44 yards rushing for any individual and the game didn’t ask them to do much, when they were called upon, they answered. Roderick Robinson looks the part of an SEC running back to me with his physicality. He also caught a trio of passes out of the backfield, showing he can contribute in multiple ways. Andrew Paul’s day was quite similar, then there was Trevor Etienne who we all knew could play at a high level. It’ll be a new cast of characters at the position for Georgia this fall with Kendall Milton and Daijun Edwards off to the NFL, but the Bulldogs are in good hands.
*** Sticking with the offensive side of the ball, Georgia should feel good about its cast of receivers. Dominic Lovett had a big day with 104 yards on seven catches. Rara Thomas hauled in four for 58 and Dillon Bell was targeted early and often. We know what those three are capable of, but to come out of Saturday with confidence that the addition of Miami transfer Colbie Young hit was good. He was as advertised, showing all the tools in his skillset that are the reasons Georgia added him. Contested catches, jump ball, you name it, Young did it. Between those four, plus the capable contributions from any combination of Anthony Evans, Arian Smith, London Humphreys and Michael Jackson III, this seems to be the best grouping of receivers that Georgia’s had in quite some time.
*** Noticed Jake Pope with a club on his left hand. Have to wonder if he would’ve caught the ball Gunner Stockton threw right to him if he didn’t have it. The Alabama transfer worked with the second team defense while it was Thomas and Dan Jackson with the ones. Those two have more experience than him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Pope in the thick of things this fall, competing for playing time either at that traditional safety spot or in extra-DB packages.
*** KJ Bolden played alongside Pope, and man did the freshman impress me. After being on the wrong end of a reception on the first play from scrimmage, Bolden bounced back and was all over the place. Flying around and quickly getting to the ball, I come out of Saturday thinking Bolden absolutely can contribute to what Georgia’s defensive plans are this season. Malaki Starks made be feel a similar way on his first G-Day. He wasn’t with the first team during his first spring game either, but when UGA took the field in the fall against Oregon, we saw Starks out there. It wouldn’t shock me if Bolden did the same thing in that same building versus Clemson. Whether he’s the starting safety next to Starks, pushes for playing time or impresses in the limited action he gets as a freshman, the future is bright for Georgia as safety, and the Bulldogs will be just fine on the backend with Bolden, Jackson, Thomas and Pope all showing good things on Saturday.
*** One more player on the defensive side of the ball that caught my eye: Gabe Harris. With no Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins at defensive end this spring, Harris made the most of his opportunities. He flashed on Saturday with the first team defense. Interested to see what his role looks like this season. I think Georgia can get more out of that EDGE position with guys like Harris, a healthy Ingram-Dawkins, Mykel Williams and Damon Wilson all being physical presences built to play up front in the SEC.
Like we said, plenty of time to break down all the action that occurred on G-Day, and we will. While Kirby Smart said he won’t be rewatching G-Day film too much, I can guarantee you that’s not true of us with the spring game being the last thing we’ll see between now and the start of the season. It’s a small, small, small sample size, and reading into it too much can be dangerous. Still, it’s a taste of Georgia Football in the spring, and we’re gonna get into it.
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