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Dawgs Fly Under the Radar: A Recap of Georgia’s 2026 Spring Practice and G-Day

While the college football world frequently fixates on quarterback controversies and transfer portal drama, the Georgia Bulldogs concluded their 2026 spring practice with a distinct lack of chaos. The overarching theme from Athens this spring was “business as usual,” a sentiment reflected in a G-Day game that displayed depth, defensive dominance, and a few fresh faces primed to contribute to another championship run.

On Saturday, April 18, the Red Team (first-team offense) defeated the Black Team (first-team defense) 27-17 inside Sanford Stadium. The attendance was announced at just over 31,000, a noticeable dip from previous years that points to the program’s current stability—there were no major quarterback competitions or coaching changes to drive frenzy.

Junior quarterback Gunner Stockton is firmly entrenched as the starter. With nothing left to prove, his G-Day workload was light; he completed 7 of 12 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown before donning a headset. The real intrigue came from the backups: Bryson Beaver, the true freshman, turned heads by completing 9 of 13 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown, arguably having the best statistical day of the group. Ryan Montgomery showed off his arm with 132 yards, while Ryan Puglisi struggled to find a rhythm, finishing 7-of-17.

The biggest scare of the day occurred on the very first play from scrimmage when starting running back Nate Frazier limped off with an ankle injury. Head coach Kirby Smart later confirmed the move was precautionary, and Frazier is expected to be fine. In his absence, transfer running back Dante Dowdell impressed, displaying the physical running style Georgia covets. The tight end room also appears prepared to be the offense’s crown jewel, with Jaden Reddell and Elyiss Williams both putting on strong performances.

The national reaction to Georgia’s spring has been a mix of quiet respect and curious skepticism. Without the flash of a high-profile QB competition, some analysts believe the Bulldogs are flying “under the radar” for the first time in years. Georgia has reached a level of sustained excellence where “no news is good news.” The program is seen as a machine that reloads, rather than rebuilds.

Not all coverage has been glowing, however. Greg McElroy floated the possibility of a 7-5 season given the new 9-game SEC schedule. His comment brought out the razor-thin margin for error in the expanded conference.

CBS Sports remains bullish, predicting an 11-1 record for UGA, with its lone projected loss against Ole Miss. While the offense may rely heavily on tight ends and the ground game, the talent in Athens is higher than almost anyone else’s in the country. Georgia exits the spring of 2026 relatively healthy and with clear answers at key positions.

BSB: Three Dawgs Contend for National Awards

Georgia baseball standouts Caden Aoki, Kolby Branch, Daniel Jackson and Tre Phelps are in contention for national awards at their respective positions, it was announced this week.

Aoki, a graduate pitcher who is 5-0 with a 2.68 ERA and three saves, is on the NCBWA Midseason Stopper of the Year watch list. A native of Huntington Beach, Calif., Aoki has appeared in 11 games with two starts for a total of 40.1 innings. He has registered 54 strikeouts and 15 walks. Finalists for the award will be announced June 3, and the winner will be named June 12 during the 2026 College World Series (CWS).

Branch, a senior from Lucas, Texas, has been named a semifinalist for the Brooks Wallace Award which goes to the nation’s top shortstop. Branch has started all 42 games. He is batting .274 with 13 home runs, 38 RBI and fielding .974. The award will be presented by the College Baseball Foundation later this year.

Jackson, a junior catcher from Sandy Springs, and Phelps, a junior third baseman from Atlanta, were among the eight players added the Bobby Bragan National Collegiate Slugger Award (BBNCSA) midseason watch list. This award is based on performance at the plate, academics and personal integrity. Branch was on the initial list too. 

Jackson and Phelps, also on the Golden Spikes Award midseason watch list, are among the offensive leaders for the Bulldogs again this season. Jackson is batting a team-best .378 with 20 home runs, 59 RBI and 18 stolen bases while starting all 42 games. Phelps is next on the team , hitting .370 with 14 home runs and 40 RBI in 41 starts. Former Bulldog standout Charlie Condon won the BBNSCA in 2024. The BBNSCA winner usually is announced around the CWS.

SEC-leading Georgia (32-10, 13-5 SEC), ranked as high as No. 5, returns to action Friday when it begins a three-game league series at No. 21 Ole Miss (30-12, 10-8 SEC). 

SB: Dawgs Run-Rule Georgia Southern 8-0

The No. 11 Georgia Bulldogs run-ruled Georgia Southern, 8-0 (5 inn.), on Wednesday night at the Jack Turner Stadium behind senior Jaydyn Goodwin’s 4-4 performance. Georgia improves to 34-13 overall while the Eagles slip to 19-27.

SOFTBALL | vs. Georgia Southern | W, 8-0 (5 inn.)
Winning Pitcher: Randi Roelling (14-6)
Losing Pitcher: Kaylee Croft (2-3)

Fast Facts:

• LHP Randi Roelling made the start going 3.0 innings with two hits, a walk and four punchouts in route to her 14^thwin of the season. RHPs Presley Harrison and Destin Howard each pitched an inning in relief, each tallying a strikeout.
• The Bulldog offense piled on four runs in the bottom of the first inning to take the lead off RBI double from Jaydyn Goodwin and Bailey Lindemuth and an RBI single from Tyler Ellison.
• Keirstin Roose launched her team-best 13^th home run of the season in the fourth inning – a two-run shot. In the fifth, Mollie Mitchell recorded her first career homer – a solo shot down the right field line.
• Goodwin sealed the run-rule decision with a bases-loaded RBI single to right field in the bottom of the fifth. She finished the night 4-4 with two RBIs and a double. In the last five games, the senior is batting .650 with 13 hits, five runs, three doubles, a triple, a home run and eight RBIs.
• Georgia improves to 35-1 all-time against Georgia Southern.

Key Quote:
Georgia Head Coach Tony Baldwin
On the win…
“I’m just proud of the way that we came out and took care of business. Sometimes the day after a day off you can feel a little lethargic, and one of the things we talk a lot about is behaving different than how you feel. The game requires a certain amount of energy and investment, and I thought once it became game time, we did that. I thought Randi [Roelling] got us off and running. We put together some good at-bats. A 4-4 day from Shorty [Jaydyn Goodwin]. That’s exciting. I thought Keirstin [Roose] swung the bat well. Excited to see her get one out of here. Tyler [Ellison] with the big hit early. Shorty was big, so lots of really good things up and down. I thought Gabi [Novickas] was outstanding. I think 2-2 with the walk, maybe. Defense was clean. I thought Brooke [Smith] came in and gave us a little something there as we were able to give Digs [Emily Digby] the night off. I thought Brooke played, made some plays and had some good at-bats. Lots of really good things and just excited to load up and go to Norman.”

Up Next:
The No. 11-ranked Bulldogs are on the road this weekend against the top-ranked Sooners in Norman, Oklahoma. This weekend’s series will kick off on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. ET on the SEC Network+.

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