Spring Practice Has Sprung! A Look at Georgia’s Spring Football Workouts
As the winter chill begins to fade and the days grow longer, football fans across the nation turn their attention to the most exciting time of the offseason: spring practice. For college football programs like the University of Georgia Bulldogs, spring practice serves as the first glimpse into the future of the team, offering fans and coaches alike the chance to assess returning talent, introduce new players, and work on developing the team’s strategy for the upcoming season.
For Georgia, a program that has consistently been a powerhouse in college football under head coach Kirby Smart, the start of spring practice is not only a time of optimism but also a critical period to fine-tune the team before the 2025 season begins. With a slew of returning talent, fresh faces, and a renewed sense of determination, the Bulldogs are set to embark on another journey toward the College Football Playoff and, ultimately, the national championship. But before they get there, the hard work starts now.
What is Spring Practice?
Spring practice is a short but essential period during the offseason where college football teams are allowed to hold a series of workouts and scrimmages. These practices are critical for evaluating the current roster, developing younger players, and experimenting with new schemes and strategies. The length of spring practice can vary from program to program, but generally, teams have about 15 practices over the course of a few weeks, capped off with a spring game that often serves as a public showcase for the team’s progress.
For Georgia, this period marks the first opportunity to work with a full roster following the conclusion of the previous season. With several players opting to declare for the NFL Draft, including key figures from the 2024 campaign, spring practice is a time for the Bulldogs to fill in the gaps left by departures and continue building the team’s identity moving forward.
Georgia’s 2025 Spring Practice: Key Storylines to Watch
1. Quarterback Competition: Who Will Lead the Offense?
One of the biggest storylines heading into spring practice is the competition at quarterback. With Stetson Bennett graduating after leading the Bulldogs to back-to-back national championships, Georgia finds itself in a unique position. While Bennett’s leadership, poise, and clutch performances were integral to Georgia’s success, his departure leaves a void at the most important position on the field.
Heading into spring, the competition is expected to be wide open. The leading contenders for the starting job are Carson Beck, Brock Vandagriff, and Gunnar Stockton, all of whom have shown promise in limited action over the past few seasons. While Beck has the edge in terms of experience, having served as Bennett’s backup for the past two seasons, both Vandagriff and Stockton bring a level of excitement and intrigue to the position battle.
Beck, a former four-star recruit, has seen the most action in garbage time and mop-up duties, showcasing his strong arm and ability to move the offense. As a veteran, he enters the spring as the frontrunner, but this competition is far from decided. Brock Vandagriff, another highly-rated recruit, has the mobility and athleticism that could offer a different dynamic to Georgia’s offense. His ability to extend plays with his legs and create offense in non-traditional ways makes him an intriguing option. Meanwhile, Gunnar Stockton, the freshman out of Georgia, has the potential to surprise many. Known for his accuracy and decision-making, Stockton’s performance this spring could put him in the mix sooner than expected.
Expect the spring practices to feature plenty of reps for all three quarterbacks as Smart looks to evaluate their readiness to lead the Bulldogs into 2025. With so much talent on the roster, the QB battle will be closely watched by fans, analysts, and former players alike.
2. Rebuilding the Offensive Line: Can Georgia Maintain Its Dominance?
Another storyline to follow this spring is the development of Georgia’s offensive line. Known for its physicality and ability to dominate the line of scrimmage, the Bulldogs’ O-line will undergo some changes heading into 2025, with a few key contributors from the 2024 season departing for the NFL.
The most notable loss for Georgia’s offensive line is Broderick Jones, a first-round draft pick who was a cornerstone for the team at left tackle. Jones’ departure leaves a gap that will need to be filled during spring practices. Additionally, Tate Ratledge and Warren McClendon, two other key players from Georgia’s 2024 offensive line, have also moved on, meaning there are starting spots available for the 2025 season.
Georgia’s offensive line, under the direction of offensive line coach Matt Luke, has consistently been one of the most dominant in the country. With several young, talented players waiting in the wings, spring practice will be an opportunity for these players to step up and prove their worth. Amarius Mims, a highly-touted recruit from the 2021 class, is one of the players who will look to earn a starting spot. Mims, who has played sparingly in his first few years, has the size and skill set to be a force on the edge.
The spring practices will also feature the development of players like Xavian Sorey, Tramell Jones, and Micah Morris, who all have the talent to make an immediate impact in 2025. This group will be tasked with ensuring that Georgia continues to field a line that can dominate the line of scrimmage and protect whichever quarterback takes the reins.
3. The Search for a New Playmaker at Running Back
Georgia has been known for producing elite running backs year after year, and the 2025 season will be no different. With Kenny McIntosh and Zamir White moving on to the NFL, the Bulldogs must find a new workhorse in the backfield. Fortunately for Georgia, they have a stable of talented backs that will be competing for the starting role.
Kendall Milton, a former five-star recruit, enters spring practice as the likely favorite to take over as Georgia’s top running back. Milton has flashed his potential throughout his first few seasons, showcasing both power and speed, but injuries have limited his playing time in recent years. If Milton can stay healthy, he has the tools to become one of the top backs in the SEC.
Daijun Edwards, who has proven himself as a reliable option in short-yardage and goal-line situations, will also be a key player to watch. Edwards has the ability to grind out tough yards between the tackles and has shown an ability to catch passes out of the backfield.
Additionally, Georgia has a trio of exciting young running backs: Roderick Robinson, Branson Robinson, and Jamon Dumas-Johnson, who will be looking to impress during spring practices. The development of this group will be crucial for Georgia as they look to maintain their ground-and-pound identity while also mixing in a more modern, spread offense approach.
4. Defensive Line Reloading: Can Georgia Maintain Its Dominance Up Front?
Georgia’s defense has been one of the best in the nation under Kirby Smart, and much of that success starts with the defensive line. With Jalen Carter and Mikel Williams leaving for the NFL, the Bulldogs will need to find new stars to anchor the defensive front.
Jayden-Jamal Hanne, one of Georgia’s top early enrollees for 2025, is a name to watch this spring. A versatile defensive lineman with a high motor, Hanne is expected to have an immediate impact and could quickly earn a starting role. His combination of size, strength, and agility gives Georgia the flexibility to use him in multiple positions along the defensive line.
Other players, like Mykel Williams and Jalon Walker, will look to step into larger roles. Georgia’s ability to reload on the defensive line has been a hallmark of the program, and Smart’s commitment to player development ensures that the next wave of talent is ready to take over.
5. Secondary Development: Young Talent Ready to Shine
The Bulldogs’ secondary will also be an area to monitor. With key players like Kelee Ringo and Christopher Smith moving on, Georgia will need to replace several starters. The good news is that they have a wealth of young, talented players who will have the opportunity to step up.
Malaki Starks, who showed promise as a freshman in 2024, is expected to become a leader in the secondary. His ability to play both safety and cornerback gives Georgia flexibility in their defensive schemes.
Other players to watch include Jaheim Singletary, Tykee Smith, and William Poole, who will all look to cement their places as key contributors to the Bulldogs’ defense. Spring practice is critical for these players as they aim to gain experience and familiarity with Georgia’s defensive system.
Spring Game: A Glimpse Into the Future
The culmination of spring practice is Georgia’s annual Spring Game, a scrimmage that showcases the progress the team has made throughout the offseason. The spring game serves as a public opportunity for fans to get an early look at the team and gauge how the competition at key positions is shaping up.
While it is not an official game, the spring game will give fans a chance to see the team’s new look, particularly at quarterback and across the offensive line. It will also be a fun and exciting day for Georgia fans to get their first taste of the 2025 Bulldogs in action.