Live Updates: Georgia Bulldogs 2022 Spring Practice HQ

ATHENS — The defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs begin their quest to defend their title this spring with a set of 15 practices taking place in Athens. Kirby Smart and company begin on Tuesday, March 15 and work three times a week (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) through Saturday, April 16 – better known as G-Day to Georgia fans.

During that time, they’ll scrimmage three times including the spring game to wrap things up and figure out quite a bit about the team. How will they replace the stars of 2021? What positions are up for grabs? Can any of the early enrollees establish themselves and earn the opportunity to make an immediate impact in the fall? Are there any concerns that still need to be addressed? Those are just a couple of the questions that Smart and his staff – one which includes four new members – will ask themselves and try to answer about their team over the next few weeks.

DawgsHQ will be on hand for it all and have you covered every step of the way. Any time Kirby Smart or Georgia players speak with the media, we’ll be there to give you the scoop coming out of Athens. So be sure to check back in on a regular basis. This story will be updated with the latest information as it becomes available to us so that we can relay the message to you, the fans. And hey, if you enjoy what you are getting, then you won’t want to miss out on DawgsHQ’s spring practice special where you can get four months of plus content for just $10. The deal won’t last for long, so jump on it while you still can.

Updates

• STORY DawgsHQ’s Bold Predictions for G-Day
• STORY Players to Watch at G-Day: Early Enrollees
• STORY Players to Watch at G-Day: Defense
• STORY Players to Watch at G-Day: Offense
• STORY Three Key Questions Ahead of G-Day
• STORY Kelee Ringo, Georgia secondary in similar situation this spring as they were before last season
• STORY Stacy Searels teaching Dawgs, both young and old, new tricks in first spring
• STORY Kirby Smart comments on transfer portal, conviction he has to culture at UGA
• STORY Big shoes to fill for Brett Thorson replacing Jake Camarda
• April 11 – No media availability this week. In the mean time, we’ll be previewing G-Day and getting ready for this weekend.
• PHOTOS Georgia takes the field at Sanford Stadium for second spring scrimmage
• PHOTOS Take a look at the Georgia Bulldogs during Week 4 of spring practice
• STORY Darnell Washington wants to get back, play his role in talented tight end room
• STORY Arian Smith anxious to make on Georgia passing game
• April 7 (Player Interviews) – Speaking with an interesting grouping of players today – Arian Smith, Darnell Washington and Trezmen Marshall. All have been limited this spring, so that’ll surely be a topic of discussion. Stay tuned!
• STORY Bulldogs learning a lot through lack of depth this spring, getting better because of it
• STORY Kirby Smart heaps praise for Stetson Bennett, his performance so far this spring
• STORY Jalen Carter is embracing the challenges from Kirby Smart and his former teammates to be great
• PHOTOS: Georgia’s first action in Sanford Stadium this spring from over the weekend
• Speaking on the quarterbacks, Kirby Smart says that Stetson Bennett made several plays in the scrimmage on Saturday, pointing to his ability to keep poise when the play breaks down. He used to panic a little bit. Now he’s comfortable, either taking off and making a play with his legs or being smart with the throws he makes. As for Carson Beck and Brock Vandagriff, Smart says it’s critical for them to get the reps with the ones and twos so that they can show their full potential. They’ve done just that.
• On Jackson Meeks: “Jackson’s growing… He’s got to get to where he can help us on special teams. He had some balls that he should have caught the other day, he’d tell you that, but he also made some plays.”
• Smart won’t single out any of the early enrollees but says that they are coming along. “There was a little bit of anxiety for those guys. First time in the stadium, first time going live, but we built that up because it’ll be that way in the fall for sure.” Hopes to see a jump from them this coming week.
• Smart says that there’s a long way to go before G-Day in some specific positions and attributes that to some of the depth concerns from injuries.
• Kirby Smart says he was happy with the effort and some of the “big collisions” that took place on Saturday during the first scrimmage of the spring. People were on the sidelines cheering. “It was not a ho-hum type of day.”
• April 5 (Kirby Smart and Player Interviews) – Kirby Smart’s press conference is set for Tuesday this week, and he’ll be followed by Jalen Carter, Ladd McConkey and Jack Podlesny. Stay tuned for updates.
• STORY Broderick Jones is continuing to grow into a new, bigger role on the offensive line and last year’s experience is giving him confidence.
• STORY We’ve done some more digging into what’s been going on behind closed doors. Here’s what we’ve heard.
• STORY Here’s the scoop that we’re hearing from Saturday’s scrimmage.
• April 2 (Scrimmage No. 1) – No viewing of today’s scrimmage, but we will do our best to gather information. If we were able to see it, here’s what we would want to see.
• STORY Georgia linebacker CJ Washington had a scary injury at practice earlier this spring. However, he’s in great spirits.
• STORY Kirby Smart has clarified the position for Georgia pass catcher Arik Gilbert who originally came to campus as a wide receiver
• STORY Dominick Blaylock has worked his way back from two ACL injuries with the right kind of wiring. Now he’s ready to get back to contributing like he did in 2019.
• STORY Kirby Smart updates the status of EJ Lightsey who says he’s ‘very lucky’ the gunshot wounds weren’t worse
• Kirby Smart updates CJ Washington’s health and said that it was a scary situation. He’s in a neck brace and is concussed but able to use all of his extremities. As for signee EJ Lightsey, Smart said that he’s lucky to be of the health that he is given the situation. Apparently the blow was an inch from his heart.
• More on Gilbert and the thinking of whether he’s a tight end or wide receiver: Smart says that Gilbert probably was more of a wide receiver last year with the weight he came in at and his goals for himself, but now is a tight end. Has picked up some physicality in that process. “He’ll develop as a tight end.”
• “Biggest hurdle for him (Arik Gilbert) has been the conditioning… He came back a little heavy and he would tell you that. He’s done a tremendous job dropping weight from 265-270 … He’s making more plays, but he has to work on stamina in order to make more plays in practice.” – Kirby Smart on Arik Gilbert
• “Decision making, accuracy, leadership and intangibles” are the things that Smart points out that he wants to see from the quarterbacks in the first scrimmage on Saturday.
• Biggest thing that’s stood out to Smart so far with the offensive guards is the number of reps that they are getting this spring. Names included Xavier Truss, Devin Willock, Warren Ericson, Micah Morris and Dylan Fairchild. Notes that Fairchild has dealt with a sprained ankle this spring.
• Smart says that Brett Thorson isn’t going to be a rugby-style punter. He is capable of doing that and they’ll explore that, but that’s not what he did today out at practice punting under pressure.
• Kirby specifically names Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Warren Ericson, Kearis Jackson, Nolan Smith, Kelee Ringo among the leaders he’s seen step up this spring.
• Smart says that he can’t remember a time that the young guys have gotten as many reps as they are this spring. Product of injuries and need to replace lost talent.
• Kirby Smart opens the press conference by welcoming new women’s basketball coach “Coach Abe.” Second new basketball coach he’s welcomed this spring.
• STORY DawgsHQ had boots on the ground at Georgia practice on Thursday where Kirby Smart opened things up for about 20 minutes. Here were our notes and observations from the day.
• March 31 (Practice Viewing, Kirby Smart and Player Interviews) – Similar to last week, we’re expecting about 20 minutes of practice viewing, plus interviews with Kirby Smart and players after practice, so be sure to check back for updates here throughout the afternoon and into tomorrow.
• STORY Georgia players from the north miss food, family and friends
• STORY Xavier Truss continuing to get comfortable at guard, competing for starting spot
• STORY William Poole wants to ride momentum of last season’s end into bigger role for 2022
• March 29 (Player Interviews) – Devin Willock, William Poole and Xavier Truss explain growth in themselves this spring
• STORY Georgia players weigh in on replacement(s) for Dan Lanning at defensive coordinator
• STORY Dan Jackson puts body on the line for Bulldogs with National Championship block
• STORY Georgia running back room more than just Kenny McIntosh, Kendall Milton at the top
• STORY New group of leaders looking to emerge during spring practice
• STORY UGA veterans share early impressions of early enrollee Bulldogs
• STORY Georgia to be without early enrollee linebacker CJ Washington for rest of spring
• STORY Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint explains role on crucial play in National Championship
• STORY Georgia juniors Kendall Milton, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint ready to release untapped potential
• March 24 (Player Interviews) – Dan Jackson, Kendall Milton and Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint share on spring practice STORY
• STORY Georgia looking for answers to depth concerns at DB, WR
• STORY Georgia players excited about “Pop” aka Jamon Dumas-Johnson
• STORY Fran Brown making strong impression early in time at Georgia
• STORY Kirby Smart’s leadership mindset: Complacency can be killer of us all
• STORY Kelee Ringo left with two choices after National Championship pick-six: settle or improve
• STORY Stetson Bennett explains his decision to return, unfamiliar territory as starter this spring
• Watch complete press conferences Tuesday with Kirby Smart, Stetson Bennett, Kelee Ringo and Warren McClendon on the DawgsHQ YouTube channel.
• Bennett admitted that there were some private conversations had after the season and said that, making his decision, he had to be a little bit selfish. Ultimately wanted to come back and play football at the University of Georgia.
• Bennett says that with the timing of the National Championship and NCAA mandated time off, Georgia was a little bit behind where they normally would be getting prepared for spring.
• Stetson Bennett says he’s gotten to be more hands on in creating the route trees for his receivers to what he likes as the guy going into spring practice, something he hadn’t experienced in the past.
• On what stood out about Fran Brown going through the interview process: “He’s very charismatic. You’ve got to spend time with Fran to know Fran, and Fran does a great job with relationships… I’ve been very pleased with how he’s done with relationships with players… I think he’s a rising star in this profession.” Smart notes that Brown’s coachable and asks questions when he doesn’t know the answers.
• On replacing Travon Walker: “We don’t have another Travon Walker. Those guys are once in a lifetime in terms of that size and that speed.”
• Smart says that Georgia is thinner at wide receiver and defensive back than they ever have been before. That’s giving guys like Kamari Lassiter, Nyland Green and Daylen Everette opportunity this spring, along with Kelee Ringo.
• On if he’s seen more leadership from Stetson: “In terms of leadership, we’re still working on that. We’re not where we need to be in terms of leadership, guys challenging guys.” Smart sounds off on the practice today, noting that it wasn’t up to his standards and there weren’t enough guys stepping up.
• On his discussions with Stetson Bennett after the championship, his decision to come back: Smart says that there weren’t many questions from Bennett and that he was wanting to come back. “We have high expectations for Stetson, but we also have high standards for him leading our offense.” Smart wants Stetson to continue to improve with his decision making, noting that he was late on some throws over the middle last season and made some bonehead mistakes. That’s likely a cause of the little work he got with the ones prior to last year.
• Smart on Dominick Blaylock: “He’s doing well. This offseason program was good for him… He’d be the first to tell you he’s still rusty, but he’s so good with the ball in his hands.” Notes that he brings veteran experience and has also been working as a punt returner some.
• STORY DawgsHQ got to take in 20 minutes of practice today, observing the offensive line, linebackers and early enrollees among other things.
• March 22 (Practice Viewing, Kirby Smart and Player Interviews) – We’re expecting about 20 minutes of practice viewing, plus interviews with Kirby Smart, Stetson Bennett, Kelee Ringo and Warren McClendon later today. Be sure to tune in for the latest later this afternoon.
• STORY The torch of RBU has been passed down once again. This time it goes from Zamir White and James Cook to Kenny McIntosh, Kendall Milton and Daijun Edwards. That trio of running backs is ready for the opportunity.
• STORY Georgia’s offensive line has high hopes for 2022, wanting to win the Joe Moore Award. That could be possible if everybody’s as comfortable as Sedrick Van Pran.
• STORY Nolan Smith could have gone pro, but decided to come back. He explains the reasoning for coming back, driven mostly by his desire to lead.
• STORY Georgia had a busy weekend of visits with recruits coming on campus to see the Bulldogs. What did they say seeing practice? A couple keywords kept coming up.
• PHOTOS Get your first glimpse at the 2022 Georgia Bulldogs thanks to pictures from UGA Sports Communications
• March 17 (Player Interviews) – More player interviews as Georgia spring practice continues to roll on. Today’s grouping consisted of Christopher Smith, Kenny McIntosh and Sedrick Van Pran. All are available on the DawgsHQ YouTube channel.
• STORY Georgia is breaking in four new assistant coaches this spring. We’ve had a chance to talk to players from each of their position groups to get the early impressions.
• STORY Georgia Pro Day was Wednesday, and the inside linebackers were on full display. But what does that room look like headed into 2022 with Nakobe Dean, Channing Tindall and Quay Walker gone?
• STORY Among the players we spoke with at Georgia’s Pro Day was George Pickens who made the comparison between himself and current Bulldog wideout Adonai Mitchell. After further review, it makes sense.
• March 16 (Georgia Pro Day) – Media was able to watch portions of the Pro Day and talk to several former Georgia stars. Check out all of our interviews on the DawgsHQ YouTube channel.
• STORY How does Georgia plan on replacing the production on the defensive line? Zion Logue certainly seems to be a big part of the plan.
• STORY It took some time for quarterbacks to come up with Kirby Smart. That’s because there simply aren’t many questions. The biggest one for him would be, ‘how do you continue to develop all four?”
• STORY It’s clear that Georgia’s not here to defend its 2021 National Championship. The Bulldogs have moved on and are ready to go try to win another.
• Check out Kirby Smart’s full opening press conference of spring practice HERE or find all of our videos, including interviews with Kearis Jackson, Nolan Smith, Warren Ericson and Zion Logue on the DawgsHQ YouTube channel.
• Arian Smith, Tate Ratledge and Trezmen Marshall all limited but not entirely out this spring. Won’t necessarily be able to do everything, but will be able to walk through. Seemed like Smith was ahead of the rest in terms of where he’s at, then Ratledge and Marshall.
• More on Gilbert: “He’s fortunate he’s going to get a lot of reps with the two guys out” indicating that he will play tight end.
• On Arik Gilbert: “Arik’s done a great job integrating back to the team. He’s been here for a while now. He’s done the work we’ve asked and he’s doing well academically.” Adds on to address the burden of expectation that’s been put on recruits, saying that Arik has been somebody that has carried expectations every step of the way. STORY
• Injuries for the spring: Brock Bowers (out – shoulder), Rian Davis (limited – quad), Smael Mondon (out – shoulder), Tykee Smith (out – ACL), Darnell Washington (out – lower leg, Bear Alexander (out – shoulder), Jacob Hood (out – ankle), CJ Madden (out – shoulder), Griffin Scroggs (out – shoulder), CJ Smith (limited – meniscus) STORY
• March 15 (Opening Press Conference and Player Interviews) – Kirby Smart opens things up by welcoming new men’s basketball coach Mike White before addressing the spring as his “favorite time of year” because of the opportunity to teach on top of practice.
• March 15 (Start of Spring Practice) – Kirby Smart is set to speak with the media later today (12:00 p.m. ET) to get things underway. Following Smart’s press conference, select Georgia players will also be made available as the Bulldogs begin spring practice later in the afternoon.

Stories of Interest Ahead of Spring

• Three Key Questions Ahead of Spring Practice
• Spring Practice Primer (4/4): Defensive Backs
• Spring Practice Primer (3/4): Defensive Line and Linebackers
• Spring Practice Primer (2/4): Wide Receivers, Tight Ends and Offensive Line
• Spring Practice Primer (1/4): Quarterbacks and Running Backs

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