Georgia’s Fall Camp Ends With Second Scrimmage—A Crucial Week for Bulldogs’ Momentum and Depth
Georgia football officially wrapped up its fall camp on Saturday with the conclusion of its second—and final—scrimmage, marking a pivotal point in the Bulldogs’ preseason journey. Here’s a detailed and immersive 1,500-word look into what this moment means for the team, what emerged from this controlled showcase, and how this all sets the stage for the 2025 season.
Georgia closed out its fall camp this past Saturday by holding its second scrimmage, effectively drawing the line under a critical period of preparation and evaluation. Although media access was restricted, insiders provided glimpses into a scrimmage that reflected both promise and questions, while reinforcing some of the program’s fundamentals.
At the core of Donna Nation’s “winners and losers” takeaways, two players stood out amid the fog of fall camp intensity: Dillon Bell and true freshman receiver CJ Wiley. Bell caught attention with a big-play ability, while Wiley—despite being early in his college journey—made strides toward contributing in the receiving rotation.
On the whole, the second scrimmage was described internally as a mixed bag. Observers noted that the offense struck early with urgency, highlighted by a long gain from Bell—his burst around the end setting up a touchdown to start things off. That faster offensive start spoke well of coordinator Mike Bobo’s adjustments and the unit’s readiness to strike quickly.
Evaluations of the quarterback position, always high-profile in Athens, landed firmly in the “competent” category. Gunner Stockton, Ryan Puglisi, and Ryan Montgomery all executed their assignments well enough, and the scrimmage was run with a competitive edge closer to a real game scenario than simply drills.
Although “competent” may sound underwhelming, it’s worth noting that for a system as competitive as Georgia’s, consistency and precision—especially in fall—is a solid foundation to build upon. What remains to be seen is which signal-caller brings that little bit of extra to stand out ahead of the season opener.
With on-field signals limited, Kirby Smart continues to remain tight-lipped, offering analysis selectively and in person at his media availability next week. His approach underscores a broader philosophy: guard the details, foster internal competition, and hold ambiguity until clarity is absolutely necessary.
Beyond the highlights, the scrimmage served three essential purposes:
- Reinforce offensive identity and continuity
The offense’s swifter start under Bobo could translate into added confidence and rhythm in the first drives of real games—something invaluable heading into early-season matchups. It shows urgency and cohesion, hinting at readiness to execute from the jump. - Highlight emerging contributors and positional depth
Dillon Bell’s explosive moment and CJ Wiley’s promising performance reflect the infusion of youth and flexibility across the roster. Wiley’s ascent, in particular, speaks to the coaching staff’s ability to groom fresh talent quickly, which bodes well for rotations and personnel versatility. - Confirm QB reliability—and set the bar higher
Having all three quarterbacks—or at least the main three—be “competent” under game-like conditions means no glaring weaknesses. It gives Smart and staff a baseline from which to elevate decision-making. Competence at this stage is good; standout performance will be necessary soon, especially with the opener on the horizon.
Looking forward, Georgia now pivots fully toward game week preparation. The scrimmage allowed the coaching staff to finalize their internal evaluations, polish the game plan, and zero in on execution details.
- Kirby Smart’s post-scrimmage comments, expected next week, will be closely watched. If his prior style holds, he’ll strike a balance: acknowledging growth, pointing out areas that require polish, and elevating expectations as the Dawgs move into a week focused entirely on game readiness.
- Offensive coordination under Bobo, especially with a faster start and explosive plays, might shape how the first few drives of the season unfold. If the momentum built here is carried forward, opening drives could serve as early indicators of Georgia’s offensive rhythm.
- Leadership dynamics and roster clarity are still in play. Quarterback performance, receiver roles, and backfield depth—including Rod Robinson’s comeback and starting-tailback Nate Frazier’s standing—all remain narratives to watch as depth charts solidify.
- The rhythm heading into game week matters. With fall camp officially in the books, the Bulldogs are entering a focused, streamlined stretch before their opener on August 30. Every practice, meeting, and preparation session counts more now than ever.
As fall camp wraps with that second scrimmage, Georgia’s 2025 season shifts into the home stretch. The Bulldogs have laid down foundational work. The offense flashed potential; the quarterbacks held serve; emerging players made their cases. Much remains to be sharpened, but they’ve taken a step forward—one measured scrimmage at a time.
