The UGA football team have reported to campus and started day one of Fall Camp 2019 on Friday. As Kirby Smart said in his opening statement in his Noon-time presser, ” Welcome, guys. Talking season is over, it’s time to do more.” And the Bulldawgs wasted no time in getting to work.
We’re back. #ATD #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/hPfIlpff79
— Georgia Football (@FootballUGA) August 2, 2019
It takes hard work 💪🛠️#ATD #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/icy8kvxTEx
— Georgia Football (@FootballUGA) August 3, 2019
We were able to shoot photos and video of periods 3-5 from Friday afternoon’s practice, getting a good look at the defensive linemen, outside linebackers, tight ends, and a some of the offensive linemen. Defensive personnel was in white, offense red, and quarterbacks in black. The NCAA requires an acclimatization period at the start of Fall Camp; so, players were in helmets, jerseys, and shorts but no pads as the Dawgs worked through warm-ups and drills.
And it could be just the excitement of opening day of Fall Camp or perhaps the heat and humidity, but Georgia’s defensive linemen looked bigger than last season’s group. Graduate Michael Barnett (94) looks like an interior defensive tackle. By that statement, I mean Barnett has added some good weight since he came to UGA as a 258-lbs freshman in 2015. He should provide depth as well as leadership on the d-line. Another player who looks to have bulked up in the offseason is junior Malik Herring (10).
Redshirt sophomore Netori Johson (72) and sophomore Jordan Davis (99) both looked to have shed some “bad” weight, trading it for muscle. Johnson came to UGA as an offensive guard in the 2017 recruiting class and switched to defense back in December of 2018. He very athletic for a “big man” and can provide good depth along the defensive front this season. Freshman DT Tymon Mitchell (No. 91) looks as big as Barnett and Netori standing next to them, which is impressive for a young man that was in high school just a few months ago.
In the short video clip below, defensive line coach Tray Scott and his assistants put the d-linemen through some “light” drills.
Senior defensive tackle Tyler Clark (52) looked like he was ready to put on the pads and start taking lunch money from whoever lined up in front of him.
Georgia will have their second day of Fall camp amongst fans as today (Saturday) is UGA Fan Day. Sunday practice is closed as they finish up with the acclimation period and get ready to don the pads and get into the grind of practice next week.