Weather: Georgia Bulldogs Scrimmage “G-Day” report.

ATHENS, Ga. — Under a gray April sky with bursts of sunshine slicing through thick clouds and the occasional gust of wind sweeping across Sanford Stadium, the Georgia Bulldogs took to the field for their annual G-Day spring scrimmage. It wasn’t just the weather that fluctuated throughout the day—so did the performances from the Bulldogs’ offense and defense in front of an enthusiastic crowd hungry for a first look at the next chapter of Georgia football.

Head coach Kirby Smart’s team enters the 2025 season with the weight of expectations firmly on its shoulders after falling short of the College Football Playoff last season. G-Day offered a revealing, if incomplete, look at the competition at several key positions and the readiness of Georgia’s newest stars to step into leading roles.

Weather Factor: Grit in the Elements

The weather played an undeniable role in Saturday’s scrimmage. While the game kicked off under mostly overcast skies with temperatures hovering in the mid-60s, intermittent showers dampened the ball, the turf, and the timing of both offenses. Wind gusts reaching up to 20 mph further complicated the quarterback-receiver chemistry, particularly on deep balls.

Still, players adapted well. Coach Smart opened his post-game remarks by joking, “We wanted a weather-proof team, and Mother Nature tested us today.” The staff treated it like a real game situation—and that approach paid dividends in revealing who could perform when conditions weren’t ideal.

The QB Report: Beck’s Offense Still in Command

Veteran quarterback Carson Beck resumed his spot under center for the Red team (first-team offense), and for most of the scrimmage, it was clear why he remains the frontrunner for Georgia’s national title hopes. Beck, now entering his second full season as the starter, looked poised and accurate despite the wind, finishing 18-of-27 for 235 yards and two touchdowns.

His connection with tight end Oscar Delp and returning wideout Dominic Lovett looked sharp. Delp hauled in five catches, including a red zone touchdown that showed Beck’s growing comfort with his secondary targets. With Brock Bowers having moved on to the NFL, Delp appears ready to inherit the mantle.

More intriguing, however, was the battle for the backup quarterback role. Sophomore Gunner Stockton started for the Black team (second-team offense) and showed flashes of brilliance. His mobility was on full display, evading pressure and hitting true freshman Nitro Tuggle for a 45-yard touchdown early in the second quarter. Stockton’s final line—12-of-21, 180 yards, two scores, and one interception—showed both potential and areas that still need refinement.

Redshirt freshman Ryan Puglisi also saw action in the fourth quarter and had a couple of well-placed throws, but he appeared behind Stockton in terms of decision-making and rhythm.

Running Back Depth Shines Through

The Bulldogs’ backfield was another area of interest, especially with Kendall Milton gone and Branson Robinson still recovering from a torn patellar tendon. Sophomore Roderick Robinson II seized the spotlight with a bruising, downhill style that netted him 87 rushing yards on 11 carries, including a thunderous 29-yard run where he trucked two defenders en route to the end zone.

Freshman sensation Chauncey Bowens also turned heads. The Florida native showed a mix of vision and burst, finishing with 64 yards on 9 carries and earning praise from Smart afterward. “He’s mature beyond his years,” the coach said. “Bowens doesn’t run like a freshman. He runs like a back who’s ready to contribute now.”

Andrew Paul and Cash Jones also shared snaps, adding depth to what looks like a healthy rotation come fall.

Receiving Corps: Stepping into the Spotlight

With Ladd McConkey and Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint now preparing for the NFL Draft, the Bulldogs need new playmakers to emerge on the outside. Sophomore Anthony Evans looked explosive, catching four passes for 73 yards, including a 32-yard touchdown from Beck that split two defenders.

Dominic Lovett, the Missouri transfer who had a solid 2024, looked every bit the WR1 Georgia needs him to be. His precision on intermediate routes and quick breaks in wet conditions made him a safety blanket for Beck throughout the game.

On the second team, true freshman Ny Carr—one of Georgia’s highest-rated incoming wideouts—showed promise with a pair of contested catches and some shifty footwork after the catch. He’s a name to watch heading into summer workouts.

Offensive Line: Gelling in Real Time

The Red team’s offensive line, led by veterans Earnest Greene and Tate Ratledge, mostly held firm against a fierce front seven. Greene, in particular, looked dominant in pass protection, stonewalling edge rushers in one-on-one matchups. The line gave Beck plenty of time to throw, though there were occasional breakdowns on run plays in the red zone.

The Black team’s offensive line struggled more, especially against the blitz packages dialed up by defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann. Freshman left tackle Daniel Calhoun had a few penalties but also showed the raw tools that made him a blue-chip recruit. It’s clear the second unit is a work in progress.

Defensive Stars: Front Seven Causes Chaos

While much of the talk heading into G-Day centered on the offense, Georgia’s defense made its presence felt early and often. Junior linebacker Jalon Walker was seemingly everywhere, racking up 7 tackles, 2 TFLs, and a sack. His sideline-to-sideline speed and anticipation make him a potential All-SEC candidate in 2025.

Defensive end Mykel Williams showed off a leaner frame and quicker first step, routinely winning his matchup and registering a sack on Beck early in the second quarter. Freshman five-star linebacker Justin Williams-Thomas also flashed with 5 tackles and an interception, showing he’s already acclimating to the speed of the college game.

The secondary was led by Daylen Everette and Malaki Starks, both of whom made sound plays in coverage despite tough matchups. Starks nearly had a pick-six on a tipped ball but couldn’t quite corral it in the wet conditions.

Special Teams: Mixed Bag

Georgia cycled through several kickers and punters during the scrimmage. Jared Zirkel hit both of his field goal attempts from 38 and 45 yards, while freshman kicker Graham White missed wide right on a 42-yarder. Punting duties were split between Brett Thorson and freshman Ryan Morrison. Thorson had the longer average, but Morrison showed good hang time.

In the return game, Ny Carr and Anthony Evans got reps, and while no returns went for long gains, both looked comfortable tracking the ball under cloudy skies and swirling wind.

Key Injuries and Absences

Several Bulldogs were either held out or limited during G-Day. Branson Robinson remains sidelined, as mentioned, and standout defensive lineman Nazir Stackhouse was in street clothes. Kirby Smart said afterward that neither injury is considered serious long-term.

Offensive lineman Dylan Fairchild was also a notable absence due to a minor shoulder sprain, giving reps to sophomore Micah Morris, who impressed in spurts.

Coaching Staff Chemistry and Playcalling Evolution

G-Day also gave fans their first extended look at Mike Bobo’s continued evolution as offensive coordinator. The pace was quicker at times than in previous springs, and Bobo sprinkled in more motion and pre-snap adjustments. The playbook remained fairly vanilla by design, but the occasional deep shot and outside zone runs hinted at a more dynamic offense in 2025.

Defensively, Schumann’s fingerprints were all over the disguised blitzes and varied fronts. The defensive line rotated often, and the linebackers were consistently put in positions to make plays in space.

Crowd Reaction and Atmosphere

Despite the intermittent rain, an estimated 54,000 fans filled Sanford Stadium, clad in red and black and eager for a glimpse of the fall to come. The crowd’s biggest roar came after a fourth-quarter pick-six by sophomore safety Joenel Aguero, who returned a tipped pass 52 yards for a score.

Georgia’s spring crowd remains one of the more passionate and engaged in the country, and the energy in Athens—despite the postseason disappointment last year—feels every bit as feverish as it did during their championship runs.

Takeaways: What Did We Learn?

1. **Beck Is the Guy** – There’s no quarterback controversy. Carson Beck looked composed, accurate, and in control. Georgia’s national title aspirations rest squarely on his shoulders.

2. **Roderick Robinson Can Be RB1** – He looked stronger, faster, and more assertive than at any point last season.

3. **Defensive Depth Is Legit** – Even with several starters sidelined, Georgia’s defense looked fast and disruptive.

4. **Freshmen Are Ready to Contribute** – From Carr to Bowens to Williams-Thomas, this incoming class is not going to redshirt quietly.

5. **The Weather Didn’t Deter Focus** – Georgia practiced like it played—resiliently and with attention to detail, even in tough conditions.

G-Day 2025 didn’t feature a miraculous comeback or a buzzer-beater win, but it did provide something more valuable for Georgia fans: reassurance. Reassurance that despite roster turnover, lingering injury concerns, and a disappointing finish to 2024, the Bulldogs are still very much elite.

Kirby Smart summed it up best postgame: “Today wasn’t about perfection—it was about progress. And we made a lot of it.”

As the skies begin to clear over Athens, so too does Georgia’s outlook for the 2025 season.

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