PHOTOS: Georgia takes the field for first time this spring

ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia spring practice got started on Tuesday, and while reporters were able to speak with Kirby Smart and a few players, the actual practice was closed. However, thanks to our friends in the UGA Sports Communications department and photographer Tony Walsh, we do have a photos for you to enjoy from the first day.

Carson Beck

Fourth-year Georgia quarterback Carson Beck is expected to have the first crack at replacing Stetson Bennett. Kirby Smart told reporters that both Beck and third-year Brock Vandagriff (below) would be taking reps with the first team this spring. How many? That’s to be decided by how they handle the new role.

Brock Vandagriff

A former five-star, Brock Vandagriff is the highest rated of the three quarterbacks left in the room at Georgia. Those that praise him point to his athleticism, although Smart made sure to point out that he thinks people underestimate the athleticism of Beck.

Gunner Stockton

Don’t forget about Gunner Stockton. After redshirting last season, Stockton will be eager to get on the field this year to show off what he’s capable of. Smart (and others) has previously praised the work Stockton did on the scout team in 2022 and did so again on Tuesday in the opening press conference of spring practice.

Mike Bobo

Mike Bobo is once again the Georgia offensive coordinator and tasked with not only following in the footsteps of Todd Monken and his prolific offense of last season but also finding the replacement to Stetson Bennett at the quarterback position. Above he is seen speaking with Brock Vandagriff (No. 12) during practice.

Georgia Offensive Line

Georgia returns fourth-year junior Sedrick Van Pran (top – No. 63) in the middle of its offensive line, a key piece of the past two units that were up for the Joe Moore Award. He’ll have veterans like Xavier Truss and Tate Ratledge beside him once again at guard while the Bulldogs must find two new starters at offensive tackle. Junior Amarius Mims (middle – No. 65) is likely to take one of the two spots as a starter of two games last season while guys like true freshman Monroe Freeling (top – No. 57), redshirt freshman Earnest Greene and fourth-year junior Austin Blaske compete for the other spot. Blaske can also play center as seen snapping in the bottom picture. Needless to say, offensive line coach Stacy Searels (below) has a big spring ahead of him.

Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint

Georgia wide receiver Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint (above) returns for his senior season after a 2022 campaign that saw him finish top five on the team in receiving. Rosemy-Jacksaint hauled in 29 passes for 337 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games after the previous two seasons saw him catch a combined 11 passes for 156 yards and a score. He’s not the only talented pass catcher that Bryan McClendon (below) has to work with though. Ladd McConkey also returns while Georgia added transfers Dominic Lovett and Rara Thomas from Missouri and Mississippi State respectively.

Kendall Milton

Georgia running back Kendall Milton, like Rosemy-Jacksaint, decided to return for his fourth season with the program. Milton was one of three Bulldogs to speak with the media on Tuesday. He spoke about continuity within the offensive philosophy making Mike Bobo the new offensive coordinator as well as his excitement to be back in Athens for another season. Milton carried the ball 85 times for 592 yards and eight touchdowns last season, averaging over 5.0 yards per carry in five of the last six games.

Georgia defensive masterminds Kirby Smart and Glenn Schumann

Georgia defensive players have called the assembled group of coaches on that side of the ball the masterminds. That seems fair when you’ve got a head coach like Kirby Smart (above) and a co-defensive coordinator like Glenn Schumann (below). The NFL came calling for Schumann to interview, but he’ll be in Athens for another season. He came over with Smart from Alabama and has been there every step of the way through the process. Let’s see what the two can do together again in 2023.

Tykee Smith

Georgia defensive back Tykee Smith is fully healthy. After suffering a torn ACL in 2021 and missing spring because of it in 2022, Smith has himself an opportunity to continue to establish himself as a presence in a Bulldog secondary that’s replacing two key pieces. Safety Christopher Smith and cornerback Kelee Ringo both went pro after the 2022 campaign. Smith slots in at STAR more than likely – it’s where he played last season – but could also cross train at safety if necessary.

Georgia Outside Linebackers

Outside linebackers coach Chidera Uzo-Diribe coaches up what appears to be newcomer, No. 26 Sam M’Pemba. The No. 44 overall recruit and No. 6 EDGE according to the On3 Industry Ranking, M’Pemba is one of three newcomers in the outside linebacker room along with Damon Wilson and Gabe Harris.

Kirby Smart pointed out how young this group of outside linebackers is. With three early enrollees plus two more players going through their first spring practice, he’s absolutely right. The exception to that? Chaz Chambliss (top – No. 32). Last season when Nolan Smith went down, Chambliss stepped up and into a larger role. He’ll be asked to do so again in 2023 with Smith (and Robert Beal) gone. That is if he can hold off the competition. Guys like Darris Smith (middle – No. 19) and CJ Madden (bottom – No. 16) are both pushing for playing time and will get the opportunity to take reps this spring with Marvin Jones Jr. and Jalon Walker both out due to injury.

Daylen Everette / Julian Humphrey

Remember earlier when we said that there was opportunity in the Georgia with Kelee Ringo and Christopher Smith gone? Well, these two second-year corners would love to take the same kind of jump that Ringo did in his second season at Georgia. Daylen Everette (above – No. 6) was the No. 33 overall player in the Class of 2022 and the No. 5 player at the cornerback position. Julian Humphrey (above – No. 12) wasn’t far behind at No. 82 overall and No. 10 among corners. Yes, Fran Brown (below) signed several talented corners in the Class of 2023 including AJ Harris who is on campus already, but Everette and Humphrey likely get the first look – along with Nyland Green – in the Bulldogs’ effort to replace Ringo opposite of Kamari Lassiter for the fall.

Georgia’s practice on Tuesday was the first of 15 scheduled for the next 33 days, including three scrimmages. Spring practice culminates on April 15th with the G-Day spring game in Sanford Stadium at 4:00 p.m. ET on SEC Network.