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By Olivia Sayer
Carson Beck (15) throws the football at Woodruff Practice Fields on Tuesday, Mar. 21, 2023, in Athens, Georgia. Georgia’s annual G-Day intrasquad scrimmage is set for Saturday, April 15 in Sanford Stadium. (Photo/Landen Todd @whats_landophoto)
Kirby Smart paced the Woodruff Practice Fields with a microphone in hand. Meticulously analyzing each group, Smart quipped about players being tired and not hustling in the 90-degree weather.
In other words, welcome back, football.
The Bulldogs officially began fall camp Thursday, 30 days before their season-opening game against Clemson. Throughout the day, the 2024 Georgia football team began to take form. Below are observations from the first media availabilities and practice of fall camp.
Veteran leadership
Starting quarterback Carson Beck is taking on more of a vocal leadership role. At SEC Media Days, Smart said he wanted the typically stoic Beck to show more emotion. According to his teammates, the quarterback has delivered.
“I’ve had a few conversations with him about [how] when he speaks, people are going to listen,” offensive lineman Tate Ratledge said. “I think every team needs their starting quarterback to have some sort of voice, and him stepping up [has] been big. People listen when he talks.”
Beck is one of the leaders for a Georgia offense that is returning many talented players. However, one new addition is also embracing the role. Smart said running back Trevor Etienne does a “great job” of leading the running back room and “holding people to a standard.”
On defense, the departures of several veteran players opened the door for cornerback Daylen Everette to assume a leadership position. Smart said Everette “exudes confidence” that leaks over to others and is now exhibiting the standard he learned from former corner Kamari Lassiter.
“He’s got to carry the torch in that room,” Smart said of Everette. “And I’m excited to see him do it.”
Everette said he leads by setting a good example for everyone in the defensive backs room and pointing the younger players in the right direction.
The defensive backs
With plenty of Georgia’s offensive weapons returning, many eyes were on the defensive backs. In practice, Dan Jackson received majority of the reps alongside Malaki Starks. Freshman KJ Bolden lined up behind him for drills and is expected to garner some playing time this season.
The battle for the cornerback opposite of Everette is still ongoing with Julian Humphrey, Daniel Harris and freshman Ellis Robinson IV in the mix. Smart said Georgia’s young defensive backs will gain valuable experience practicing against the Bulldogs’ offense.
“Some of them already have competed to this level,” Smart said, referencing the matchups in practice. “We put more value in that because maybe you’re going against a better guy at Georgia in practice all spring than you may get a chance to go against in the season. So I think they establish confidence in that, and they know and trust that their training is going to carry.”
Wide receivers
With the announced dismissal of wide receiver Rara Thomas, Georgia has one less presence in its receiver room. Despite this, the Bulldogs are still loaded with talent. Transfer Colbie Young made several impressive catches outside of the numbers, while Dillon Bell continued to showcase his capabilities as the starting “X” receiver.
Dominic Lovett garnered majority of the reps at the slot position, while Arian Smith also went through drills with the first team offense.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the opportunity each one gets to grow and get better,” Smart said of Georgia’s wide outs. “It really starts today but I’m fired up about that group.”
Although he is a tight end, Oscar Delp will likely receive a lot of targets this season as well. Smart said Delp is “a leader by action” and was quick to shut down the notion Delp would be tasked with filling Brock Bowers’ shoes.
“We’re asking Oscar to be Oscar,” Smart said. “Which is extremely physical, extremely tough and extremely dependable.”
Smart said he believes Delp has yet to miss a practice the two seasons he’s been with the Bulldogs. Thursday, he worked with the first team offense, with Lawson Luckie and transfer Ben Yurosek following behind him.
Special teams
As the media was exiting the field, Smart had a new target for his remarks on the microphone — the NFL scouts in attendance. As the Bulldogs began punt drills, the head coach made Georgia’s thoughts on special teams clear.
“Our punt team is our best players,” Smart yelled.
Smart then called out multiple players, including Starks, Smith, Delp and Lovett, for their efforts on special teams. Georgia was the only team to not surrender a single punt return yard last season, and it appeared as though the Bulldogs would like to continue that trend.