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Georgia players put their definition on 'successful' spring game

Palmber-Thombsby:Palmer Thombs•04/12/24•

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Kirby Smart (1)
(Tony Walsh/UGAAA)

ATHENS, Ga. — There is no exact definition as to what a successful spring game looks like. Kirby Smart has long said, scrimmages like G-Day come with both good and bad. For everything positive one side does, there’s oftentimes a negative on the other side. It can be overall assessment of a squad and how players will handle competitive situations, and that’s exactly what Smart wants to see out of this Georgia team on Saturday.

Talk to the players, and they’ll tell you similar things. It’s a chance for them to build on the spring that’s been. For a guy like Gunner Stockton, it’s an opportunity to show folks what he is capable of at the quarterback position. Same goes for wide receiver Cole Speer and walk-on linebacker Terrell Foster. Making the most of these game-like reps could mean more opportunities down the road.

“Being productive,” Speer said when asked what defines a ‘successful’ G-Day to him. “At the end of the day, I want my team to win, no matter what side I’m on. Red or black, whatever I can contribute to winning, that’d make me happy.”

“It’s been a journey the entire spring,” Foster added. “I’m just constantly trying to make sure I’m improving each day, so G-Day is another day to make sure I had a plus-one.”

Stockton, Speer and Foster don’t necessarily get these kind of chances when the season comes around – or at least quite as often as the usual starters. They feel the need to make the most of it when afforded an opportunity. As for somebody like Malaki Starks, G-Day is no sweat off his back. He’s used to playing in pressure-packed situations, and while G-Day certainly is important, it’s important for a different reason than a game in-season.

Starks won’t suit up on Saturday however. He’s been dealing with the recovery from offseason surgery on his shoulder. He’ll be paying close attention though and knows his fellow defensive backs will face quite the test.

“I would say just going out there and competing, everybody being on the same page. Just seeing guys wanting to know what their job is and how to get it done,” Starks said, putting his definition on a successful G-day for the secondary. “Going out there and competing. I like to say we play the hardest position on the field. We’re going to give up the ball time to time, but it’s always about the next play. It’s going to happen, but I want to see guys when it does happen, how do they respond? I think that would say a lot about the room that we have.”

Kickoff time for Saturday’s scrimmage at Sanford Stadium is set for 1:00 p.m. ET, streaming on SEC Network+. For fans, it’ll be the last time to see Georgia in action until the Bulldogs take the field on August 31st against Clemson. UGA is expected to enter the 2024 season as the preseason No. 1 team and the favorite according to Vegas to take home a third National Championship in four seasons.

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