Georgia Freshman Report: Which first year players saw the field vs. Ball State

ATHENS, Ga. — For a second straight week, we got a good look at the Georgia Class of 2023. With the Bulldogs winning by a sizable margin, the freshmen were able to get in the game during the second half and continue to learn the ropes of what life is like in College Football. For some, they did better than their first time out. Others didn’t quite accomplish that. Either way, it’s another step in the right direction for freshmen that are more often than not in there to learn.

# 0 LB Troy Bowles – Bowles got in the game but did not record a stat. On the season he has three tackles.

# 0 RB Roderick Robinson – Robinson once again was one of the most active first-year players. He led Georgia in rushing with 38 yards and scored his second touchdown in as many games on six carries.

# 4 DB AJ Harris – Harris tied for the team high in tackles with four, including one solo stop. It’s the second game in a row in which the freshman out of Phenix City has had multiple tackles.

# 5 LB Raylen Wilson – After not appearing in the opener while continuing to work his way back from a hyperextended knee, Wilson made his Georgia debut on Saturday with two tackles.

# 8 DB Joenel Aguero – Aguero recorded a tackle once again, getting work in at the STAR position during the second half.

# 9 DB Justyn Rhett – Rhett recorded his first career tackle, a solo stop in the fourth quarter.

# 10 WR Tyler Williams – Williams made his debut on Saturday after not appearing in the opener. He did not record a stat.

# 13 WR Zeed Haynes – This is the second straight game in which Haynes has played, however, he did not record a stat on Saturday. He had a 20 yard reception in the opener against UT-Martin.

# 15 DB Daniel Harris – Harris played for a second straight game but did not record a stat.

# 17 WR Anthony Evans – Evans recored a carry for Georgia, gaining 2 yards. Last week he had a reception for 2 yards. Evans also got work late in the game as a punt returner, picking up 6 yards on his lone return.

# 26 LB Sam M’Pemba – M’Pemba had two tackles, the first of which came to put an end to a 21 yard reception. He was in zone coverage and appeared to let his man get free.

# 29 DL Gabe Harris – Harris once again played at defensive end as opposed to the outside linebacker spot he’s listed at. For a second straight game, Harris recorded a tackle for loss. He is one of three Georgia defensive players with multiple tackles for loss so far this season, joining a pair of starters in Tykee Smith and Daylen Everette.

“He’s doing both. He’s not a wholesale defensive lineman. With Ty being injured, we’ve repped him there more, but there is no difference in that position when we’re in our four-down front. So he’s a defensive end 50-60 percent of the time, but he’s different sometimes when we’re in an odd front. As far as playing more, that has to do with the score right now because we play those guys based on: Can they play winning football? Right now, when we have a lead, we want to get him in because he plays really hard. He does it on scout team. He plays really hard. He has a high motor. We want to reward that high motor with playing time, but he’s got to earn our trust to earn what I call meaningful minutes.”

Kirby Smart – Postgame Press Conference

# 31 DB Kyron Jones – After a pick-six last week, Jones came back down to earth with a no-stat showing.

# 33 LB CJ Allen – Allen recorded a trio of tackles, once again in there early and often with the first team defense. Two of those stops were solo.

# 35 LB Damon Wilson – Wilson did not record a stat but played for a second straight game.

# 44 DL Jordan Hall – Hall had an assisted tackle on the defensive line.

# 55 DL Jamaal Jarrett – Jarrett posted three tackles in his fourth quarter action, helping clog up the middle for Georgia with stops for 3, 2 and 1 yard.

# 88 TE Pearce Spurlin – Spurlin recorded his first career catch with a 4 yard gain from Gunner Stockton in the fourth quarter.

# 91 K Peyton Woodring – Woodring missed his first field goal attempt from 28 yards on the first drive but bounced back in the second quarter with a 35-yarder. The Louisiana native also made each of his extra point attempts.

DNP – # 57 OL Monroe Freeling, # 59 OL Bo Hughley, # 7 TE Lawson Luckie, # 27 DB Chris Peal, # 54 OL Kelton Smith Jr., # 70 OL Joshua Miller, # 72 OL Jamal Meriweather