Georgia is only a few practices into spring ball, but the early message coming out of Athens is clear: this is a team being molded with intensity, competition, and purpose. With only one day in full pads so far, head coach Kirby Smart has already set the tone—and it’s exactly what you’d expect. Practice feels like a military operation. Every rep is structured, every mistake is corrected immediately, and every player is being pushed.
Kirby himself is everywhere. One minute he’s coaching up players and talking trash mid-drill, the next he’s joking with boosters or connecting with recruits. That constant presence defines Georgia’s culture. It’s demanding, it’s detailed, and it’s relentless.
One of the more unique elements from practice is the continuation of the “FEP” (Fire, Energy, Passion) caps—blue guardian caps awarded to players who stand out with their effort and intensity. Early recipients include Raylen Wilson, Ethan Barbour, London Humphries, Chris Cole, and Terrell Foster. That’s a strong indicator of who is already setting the tone physically and emotionally.
At quarterback, the situation has taken an interesting turn. Gunner Stockton is currently day-to-day with a minor knee issue, nothing serious, but it opened the door for Ryan Puglisi to take reps with the first team. Behind them is Ryan Montgomery. One notable observation from practice is that all three quarterbacks carry a similar demeanor—calm, composed, and coachable. Unlike past Georgia quarterbacks like Carson Beck or Stetson Bennett, who had more visible personalities, this group seems unshaken regardless of how hard they’re coached.
The offense as a whole is still taking shape, but the depth chart already gives a glimpse of what this unit could become. Along the offensive line, Drew Bobo is currently on IR, while Malachi Tolliver and Cortez Smith are battling at center, with Smith reportedly making noise. The right side features Donald Glover at guard and Juan Gaston at tackle—both of whom look like future first-round NFL draft picks. On the left side, Daniel Calhoun holds down guard while Earnest Greene III anchors left tackle. Jah Jackson, a massive 6’11”, 350-pound backup tackle, is another name to watch.
At wide receiver, reps are being split across multiple groups. CJ Wiley and Isaiah Cannion are working at X receiver, with Wiley notably adding weight this offseason. London Humphries and Talyn Taylor are at Z, while Sacovie White is working in the slot. White stands out physically—built like a running back at 5’9”, thick, twitchy, and explosive. Landon Roldan has also been getting reps, even lining up outside at times.
The tight end room might be one of the most exciting units on the team. Elyiss Williams, Lawson Luckie, and Ethan Barbour form a three-headed monster, each bringing something different. Williams, at 6’7”, 255 pounds, has been making serious noise in camp and is being described as a more athletic version of Darnell Washington. Meanwhile, position coach Todd Hartley continues to dominate practice vocally—he’s easily the loudest coach on the field.
At running back, Georgia has a loaded and versatile group. Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens (now wearing #5) lead the way, each with distinct styles. Bowens runs with power and physicality, while Frazier brings a different tempo with relentless energy. Dante Dowdell, a transfer from Kentucky, has also impressed and brings home-run ability at 220 pounds. Bo Walker is another name who could carve out a role as the depth chart develops.
Defensively, injuries have impacted early rotations. Players currently on IR include Gabe Harris, Jordan Hall, Kyron Jones, Carter Luckie, Zayden Walker, and Jamarley Riddle. Despite that, the defensive line still looks loaded. Xzavier McCloud and Elijah Griffin anchor the interior, while Joseph Jonah-Ajonye is filling in for the injured Harris on the edge alongside Quintavious Johnson. This group feels like one where snaps will have to be earned—Georgia has too much talent to keep players off the field.
A major storyline is Auburn transfer Amaris Williams, who is expected to take on the JACK role as spring progresses. Georgia’s defensive philosophy remains the same: rotate heavily up front to keep players fresh and maximize production.
In the secondary, Ellis Robinson and Demello Jones are projected as starting corners, with Gentry Williams likely as the third option. At nickel, Raysean Dinkins currently holds the spot. Safety is headlined by KJ Bolden, who looks every bit like a future first-round pick. Zion Branch is working as the other starter for now, but transfer Khalil Barnes is pushing hard and could eventually take over the role once he fully grasps the system.
At linebacker, five names stand out: Raylen Wilson, Chris Cole, Justin Williams, Terrell Foster, and Zayden Walker (currently on IR). This group is fast, physical, and deep—exactly what Georgia needs in the middle of its defense.
Media access during practice has been limited to four periods—20 minutes total—and only individual drills. Even in that short window, though, the intensity, depth, and competition are obvious.
The biggest takeaway from Georgia’s spring so far isn’t just the talent—it’s the standard. Every position group is competitive. Every rep matters. And under Kirby Smart, nothing is given.
This isn’t a finished product yet. But if these early practices are any indication, Georgia is once again building something dangerous.
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