UGA Fall Practice Update 1
UGA FALL PRACTICE UPDATE 1 – It’s almost here. College football is nearly back, baby!
If you’re like me, you’ve been fiending for any information on your favorite team’s upcoming season. I’m frantically searching for information like who is ready to become an impact player this year, who is hurt, what transfer players are pushing to become starters, and are there any freshmen who’ll see the field this fall. Don’t worry, you can get your fix here when it comes to the Georgia Bulldogs.
The Offseason
It’s been a turbulent offseason, yet again, for UGA. Georgia football players continue to have regular appearances in the Athens-Clarke County jail mostly for driving violations. They notched a few more this spring and summer, headlined by a DUI from former Florida running back and projected starter Trevor Etienne and a reckless driving charge by starting ILB Smael Mondon.
Backup safety David Daniel was dismissed from the team for “violating team rules.” Most recently, a felony child endangerment charge on WR Rara Thomas led to his dismissal from the team as well. UGA is under the spotlight as a top program and odds-on favorite to win the national championship this year.
Georgia has been and will be scrutinized more than other programs. Look, if the Pittsburgh football program had a string of speeding tickets no one would care. But when you’ve had a player and staff member die from reckless driving and you’re the top team in the country and your local police department and newspaper seem to have it out for you, every bit of bad news becomes a national headline.
Does Kirby have a culture problem at UGA? I can’t tell you the answer. What I can say is that I want my team to not only be unstoppable on the field, but also have impeccable integrity off the field.
Success on and off the field are both remarkably challenging to achieve. Obviously, UGA isn’t getting it done in one of those departments, and it does leave me conflicted when the team I love may come with baggage.
Injury report
Good news first. RB Branson Robinson is back without limitations after suffering a horrific injury last fall. Robinson looked primed to become a force as he ran for two touchdowns against TCU in the natty two years back. After missing all of last season with a devastating knee injury, he’s back and ready to roll. Kirby did mention limiting his work load, but he’s taking hits and running full speed at camp.
DL Tyrion Ingraham-Dawkins was seen full-go at the last practice. He dealt with a foot injury most of last season.
Freshman DB Ellis Robinson picked up an injury in Sunday’s practice. He was seen with his hand and wrist wrapped up, almost like a cast, but was in good spirits. Hopefully, this star-in-the-making cornerback will get back on the field quickly.
Center Jared Wilson was seen on a stationary bike at Sunday’s practice. RG Tate Ratledge filled in at center. Wilson’s condition is unknown at this time, but it would appear that his injury is not too serious.
DL Warren Brinson has an achilles injury. Sounds scary, but Kirby was optimistic in the presser. Brinson was one of the more disruptive d-linemen last year, and UGA needs him to step up this fall.
DL Jordan Hall suffered a hairline fracture in his leg. He should be ready by week 1.
LB Smael Mondon was not full go yet after surgery on his foot in February. He played most of last year with this injury, and the recovery is not easy. He’s expected to be able to go against Clemson barring setbacks.
DB Chris Peal wore a non-contact jersey on Tuesday.
OLB Gabe Harris wore a non-contact jersey on Tuesday.
RB Nate Frazier wore a non-contact jersey on Tuesday. 
New Faces
A few names have stood out at UGA who are either freshman or transfers. Let’s see who could make an impact quickly on the field.
RB Trevor Etienne has elevated the running back room to another level. His speed to the edge was evident in the spring game. Paired with his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, Etienne is set for a special season at UGA. One area that he’ll have to work on for Kirby to give him more snaps is his pass blocking, which was a noticeable weakness at Florida last year.
RB Nate Frazier. Let’s stick with the same room. Nate Frazier recorded a 10.58 100m time as a junior in high school. He’s a burner, plain and simple. Frazier did not enroll early this year, so he has only joined the team this summer. Early reports are that the coaching staff are impressed with the muscle he’s added in the offseason and that he’ll be featured in an already loaded running back room.
TE Ben Yurosek transferred in from Stanford after leading his team in receptions and yards in 2021. Kirby gave high praise for him noting “We felt like we were getting a really talented, intelligent, experienced, mature body type. We need that at that position.” Yurosek is no Brock Bowers. Yet, he’s like Bowers in that he’s more of a receiver than a blocker, and he brings enough speed to the position to create matchup problems.
Safety KJ Bolden. Bolden led a roller coaster of a recruitment cycle which saw him surprisingly commit to FSU, flirt with Auburn, but ultimately land at UGA. The Buford High School grad has known Kirby for years and appears positioned to make an early impact similar to Malaki Starks at the safety role. One, the safety room isn’t exactly loaded. Two, Bolden has shown an ability to quickly pick up the playbook. He has all the physical traits you need. As his body continues to fill out and if he can show an eagerness to impose his physicality on opponents, Bolden is likely to see the field early in the season. Don’t be shocked if he’s playing some as early as the first half against Clemson.
CB Ellis Robinson. Robinson was the top corner is last year’s signing class and he is talented enough to be one of, if not the best, cornerback to come through Georgia under Kirby Smart. The IMG grad is one injury or a couple of poor performances from two inexperienced DBs away from getting significant playing time. However, if his injury keeps him out of fall camp for a length of time, look for his debut to have to wait. Robinson could also use a little more muscle on him.
WR Colbie Young transferred in from Miami this offseason. At 6’5 and 215 lbs. Young bring a size and physicality into the receiver room that UGA has lacked. Georgia missed having a dominant X receiver in their offense last season. When UGA has one, their offense shifts from really good to elite. Think how George Pickens or AD Mitchell changed the game when they played for UGA. Georgia hopes Young can become a factor that defenses must respect to create opportunities for the rest of the offense. UGA especially needs Young to be a threat in the red zone, where Carson Beck’s completion percentage drops well below his average. With RaRa Thomas dismissed from the team, Young could work his way into that starting X receiver role. At the moment, WR Dillon Bell is the man to beat for that job. Ideally, UGA would have Young at X, Bell at Z, and Lovett in the slot as their starting core. Currently, it looks like Bell at X, Arian Smith at Z, and Lovett in the slot.
Additional transfers:
DL Xavier McCleod
S Jake Pope
WR London Humphreys
WR Michael Jackson III
QB Jaden Rashada
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