Georgia Freshman Report: Which first year players saw the field vs. UT-Martin

ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia’s first game is in the book, and for the Class of 2023, that means their first one between the hedges. Of the 26 that signed, 18 saw the field. DawgsHQ shares with you a breakdown on their participation and impact in the Bulldogs’ 48-7 win over UT-Martin.

# 0 LB Troy Bowles – Bowles got in the game late but made an impact with a trio of tackles, only beat out by Malaki Starks, Tykee Smith and Javon Bullard.

# 0 RB Roderick Robinson – Robinson was one of the more active freshmen in the opener, carrying the ball eight times for 50 yards and his first career score. The San Diego, Calif. native had a long rush of 23 yards and averaged 6.3 yards per carry, looking like he’ll continue to factor into the mix – even after Daijun Edwards returns from injury.

“Proud of Roderick. It’s nothing like the first time. In my experience, I’ve learned from being an assistant coach, defensive coordinator, and head coach that it takes probably four or five games before a freshman is comfortable. We’ve got to get through that with some guys. Every year we’ve been here somebody, I mean Joenel goes out the first play and, just like, sometimes they just do crazy stuff. You’re like, what are they doing? You have to get through those. He took one step closer to doing that. Andrew’s in the same boat as him, right? He’s a year older, but he hasn’t played. We’ve got to bring those two guys along because they’re big, physical backs. We need to get some production out of them.”

Kirby Smart – Postgame Press Conference

# 4 DB AJ Harris – Harris got into the game as the first cornerback after Kamari Lassiter, Daylen Everette and Julian Humphrey and recorded a pair of tackles, one of which was a solo stop.

# 8 DB Joenel Aguero – Aguero was the second STAR into the game after Tykee Smith gave way to him. He recorded a fourth quarter solo stop on defense and played on special teams too.

# 9 DB Justyn Rhett – Rhett was working at safety on UT-Martin’s final two drives, the first of which ended in an interception and return for touchdown by fellow freshman Kyron Jones.

# 13 WR Zeed Haynes – Haynes caught one of the three passes targeted his way by way of Gunner Stockton. The play picked up 20 yards and put Georgia into UT-Martin territory before the Bulldogs added a late field goal.

# 15 DB Daniel Harris – Harris was the sixth Georgia cornerback to get in the game after starters Kamari Lassiter and Daylen Everette, Julian Humphrey who rotated in with the first team a good bit and the duo of AJ Harris and Nyland Green that played in reserve. D. Harris was not credited with any stats.

# 17 WR Anthony Evans – Evans caught one pass for two yards, the only time he was targeted. The play did pick up a first down on a quick out route into the flats.

# 26 LB Sam M’Pemba – M’Pemba recorded a fourth quarter tackle, stopping UT-Martin’s quarterback on a scramble for no gain.

# 29 DL Gabe Harris – Harris seems to have made the move to the defensive line, playing on the EDGE late in the game. He was seen with the group last time practice was open to the media and recorded one tackle in the game.

# 31 DB Kyron Jones – Jones had the highlight of the night for the Georgia defense with a 26-yard interception return for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

“Tipped ball. It was a tipped ball, so it was lucky is what it was. He’s going to think he did really good. It’s like I tell everybody, when you get a tipped ball, it’s lucky. I got a lot of interceptions in college that were tipped balls. That doesn’t make you a good player. That makes you in the right place at the right time.”

Kirby Smart – Postgame Press Conference

# 33 LB CJ Allen – Allen saw the field for 33 snaps, the most among Georgia linebackers in the game on Saturday. He had two tackles including a solo stop.

“Hard to play a freshman linebacker in our defense. He and Raylen being here in the spring have really grown. Raylen would’ve probably been in the same boat as him had it not been for his knee. CJ picks things up. He’s very smart and intelligent. He’s conscientious. He can do things right. He has a chance to be a good player. We’ve got a pool of inside linebackers there around him, I mean, I was proud of Smael. He came out there and played in some sub situations. He’s trying to get back to 100 percent. CJ did a nice job.”

Kirby Smart – Postgame Press Conference

# 35 LB Damon Wilson – Wilson recorded two tackles from the outside linebacker position, playing after the likes of Chaz Chambliss, Marvin Jones and Darris Smith.

# 44 DL Jordan Hall – Hall saw the field early and often, playing as a part of Georgia’s pass rush unit with the first team at times. He finished the game with two tackles including a solo stop – both in the fourth quarter.

# 55 DL Jamaal Jarrett – Jarrett recorded a fourth quarter tackle playing in the middle of the defensive line.

# 57 OL Monroe Freeling – Freeling was the right tackle with the second string offensive line late in the game.

# 88 TE Pearce Spurlin – Spurlin played late and did not record a stat.

# 91 K Peyton Woodring – Woodring attempted two field goals, one from 23 and another from 33, and made both. He also was a perfect 5-for-5 on extra points.

“I thought he did a good job. He hit the doink the one time on the crossbar. We’ll look and see. It was really close, to be honest with you. I hated it because Zirkel had a great spring, and he had a really good fall camp, but ultimately the height on the kicks was the biggest difference because their percentages were almost the same. I told them I want to do drills to see who can kick the ball higher, faster. That’s where kicks get blocked. Peyton did a better job of that. To be honest with you, I’ve got a ton of confidence in both of those guys.”

Kirby Smart – Postgame Press Conference

DNP – # 5 LB Raylen Wilson, # 10 WR Tyler Williams, # 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