PHOTOS: First glance at Georgia Football in fall camp

Georgia Football opened fall camp on Thursday, and media members were allowed in to see a portion of the periods the Bulldogs went through. Our observations from that can be found here, but thanks to our friends in the UGA Sports Communications department, we’ve got photos to share with you as well.

Tykee Smith

Georgia coach Kirby Smart said on Thursday that Tykee Smith isn’t quite at 100% but would go through drills. He’s coming off of an ACL injury – hence the big brace on his left knee – that he suffered in October of 2021. When healthy, the Bulldogs hope that he’ll be able to help in a secondary that has quite a bit of turnover.

Georgia STARs – Javon Bullard and William Poole

The STAR position in Georgia’s defense is one that gets quite a bit of attention. It’s not a safety. It’s not a cornerback. Instead, it’s a hybrid of the two, plus a little bit of a linebacker as well, and gives Georgia the advantage of being able to get into coverage a little bit better. William Poole (second photo) returns after starting games at the spot down the stretch of last season, but Javon Bullard (first photo) is going to give him a run for his money. On Thursday, Bullard was with the first-team. This is a competition to watch, but both are likely to contribute as the season goes along.

Stetson Bennett

Bennett’s buzz cut is making the rounds on social media and can be seen above, but his spiral on a deep ball is what stood out on Thursday during periods open to the media. Bennett returns to Georgia after throwing for 2,862 yards and 29 touchdowns to help the Bulldogs bring home the National Championship in 2021.

Kelee Ringo

Ringo sealed the deal on Georgia’s National Championship back in January and returns this fall as one of few familiar faces on the Dawgs’ defense. In total, Georgia loses eight players from the defense – including two in the secondary – to the NFL Draft and several others to the transfer portal. It’ll be important that Ringo plays up to his ceiling so Kirby Smart can count on at least one thing defensively.

Nyland Green

Opposite of Ringo, there certainly seems to be a competition for the starting spot. Kamari Lassiter might have the lead, but Nyland Green is a former five-star who’s going to do his best to make a push. He seems to be off to a good start with what looks like a pretty athletic play above.

Darnell Washington

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart praised tight end Darnell Washington on Thursday for being in some of the best shape of he’s seen him in. Washington also spoke with the media. For a video of that, head on over to the DawgsHQ YouTube channel here.

Georgia Tight Ends – Brock Bowers and Ryland Goede

The tight ends are all anybody seems to want to talk about in Athens, and rightfully so with three John Mackey Award watch list members. One of those – Brock Bowers – is photographed above (first photo) while another member of Todd Hartley’s talented room – Ryland Goede – is back on the field following a spring injury.

Georgia Defensive Leaders – Christopher Smith and Nolan Smith

Along with the aforementioned Ringo, Christopher Smith (first photo) and Nolan Smith (second photo) are two of Georgia’s biggest leaders on the defensive side of the football. Chris started 11 of 15 games and finished second on the team in interceptions. Nolan started 14 of 15 and was in the top five for tackles. With how much the Bulldogs lose on that side of the ball, look for this Smith-squared combo to be among the biggest leaders this season.

Warren Brinson

Speaking of losing a lot, one position in particular where Georgia is fighting an uphill battle to replace production is on the defensive line. Jordan Davis, Travon Walker and Devonte Wyatt were all selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. With them gone, guys like Warren Brinson are being thrust into bigger roles.