ATHENS - Georgia football held its annual G-Day spring game on April 18, with several new and returning players making an impression on head coach Kirby Smart.
In his post-game press conference, Smart said he was impressed with the overall performance.
“I thought we had a good spring and that our guys got better,” Smart said. “We had more snaps today than we've had in spring games in the past, so I was pleased with that. The tempo the players had was — 65 and 63 [snaps]. We've been averaging around 120 for that game.”
On the defensive side, multiple players contributed across key categories, including tackles, tackles for loss, and pass breakups. Both the Red and Black teams showcased strong defensive efforts.
Rasean Dinkins led the Black defense with five tackles, while Todd Robinson paced all players with eight for the Red squad.
The Red defense generated more backfield pressure, recording three sacks — two from Khamari Brooks — while the Black Team’s lone sack came from AJ Kruah.
Georgia’s Black defense featured a wide rotation, with contributors including Dinkins, Quintavius Johnson, and Xzavier McLeod. Meanwhile, the Red unit saw production from Robinson, Tyriq Green, and Jaylan Morgan.
Both squads applied pressure throughout the game, combining for multiple tackles for loss and quarterback hurries.
Green, Robinson, and Blake Stewart each recorded interceptions for the Red Team, highlighting a strong showing from the younger defensive group.
Green, a four-star signee out of Buford High School, delivered one of the game’s most notable plays with an interception as time expired.
Smart praised his versatility and instincts, noting he could contribute at multiple positions.
“He's instinctive and understands things naturally,” Smart said. “He does not talk a lot, but he listens and is very intuitive as a defensive back. The transition to corner was really easy for him, and we'll continue to progress him and see where we need him the most, because there's a chance that he can go out there and help us at either spot next year.”
Junior edge rusher Amaris Williams, a transfer from Auburn, did not participate in the scrimmage due to an ACL injury. Smart said there is no set timetable for his return due to the complexity of the injury.
“We would never put a timetable on it, and he doesn't want to put a timetable on it,” Smart said. “He wants to do what he can to recover and get better. It's unfortunate because it's non-contact, and I think we've had eight or nine in 11 years, maybe, and all of them but one have been non-contact. They’re usually deceleration injuries when you're stopping or starting, and his was very much that way.”
Overall, Smart expressed optimism about the team’s development, noting several younger players expected to take on larger roles heading into the fall.
“We've got a lot of youth on this team that continue to grow up, and we're going to have some guys be able to help us next year,” Smart said. “The next step for us is to continue two weeks of weightlifting, then we’ve got football school, where we take guys back through installs, and then we’ll crank up again in June.”