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Georgia’s Fall Camp Must Turn Talent Into a Team

By Greg Poole

Georgia entered fall camp with talent already in place. The question is whether enough of that talent can be relied on late in SEC games, when the conditions become less forgiving. Kirby Smart described camp as having two main objectives: building depth and evaluating toughness. The rest, from offensive-line combinations to safety rotations, is designed to inform those decisions.

The initial priority is to reestablish control at the line of scrimmage. Smart called last season’s rushing results below the program’s standard. Georgia had some strong individual performances but did not consistently dictate terms with the run game. Earnest Greene III and Drew Bobo bring experience and communication, while Daniel Calhoun, Dontrell Glover, and Michael Uini are part of the effort to expand a potential starting five into a group thaHow well the line develops will shape what Georgia can expect from Nate Frazier, Chauncey Bowens, and Dwight Phillips Jr. Frazier has demonstrated he can handle the lead role, Bowens gives a more physical option, and Phillips brings needed acceleration to the offense. With Dante Dowdell not currently available, Georgia’s plans for August must rely on the backs and blockers who are present. The group needs to establish the running game without waiting for additional help. Reinforcements that may not come.

Another offensive priority is to generate more big plays rather than depending on Gunner Stockton to salvage difficult situations. Stockton’s first full season showed his toughness, accuracy, and judgment, but SEC defenses now have a season’s worth of film on him. Camp is an opportunity to broaden his options. Isiah Canion, CJ Wiley, and Talyn Taylor need to demonstrate they can win downfield or add yards after the catch, while Lawson Luckie, Jaden Reddell, and Elyiss Williams will be evaluated on whether the tight end group can contribute beyond clear passing situations.

The tight end group’s blocking is a key factor in the play-action game. Georgia’s ability to use play-action effectively depends on whether those players can block well enough to influence linebackers. Reddell has drawn attention from the strength staff for his progress, and Smart noted his development as an important improvement as he enters his third year. Fall camp is a critical period for players like Reddell, who need to move from reserve roles to being reliable contributors.

Defensively, the focus is on increasing disruptive plays and generating more takeaways while continuing a strong run defense. Chris Cole is in position to help drive that improvement after recording seven tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks last season. Smart’s comments on Cole’s effort, speed, and toughness suggest he is anticipated to play a significant role. Elijah Griffin is a candidate to add interior disruption, and Ellis Robinson IV brings proven ball skills, having intercepted four passes in 2025.

KJ Bolden’s responsibilities could extend further. Smart noted that Bolden has taken on a leadership role, focusing on details such as finishing plays, running to the ball, and upholding daily standards. These qualities are important in a safety group where man coverage, tackling, and decision-making on deep passes are required. With Kyron Jones starting camp on a limited workload, Bolden’s ability to help younger players like Blake Stewart develop quickly will be important for building depth.

Georgia’s roster size, with about 125 to 127 players practicing, is an advantage only if those practice repetitions translate into dependable depth. The staff requires more than a well-organized depth chart. They need linemen who can step in after injuries, backs who can handle protection responsibilities, receivers who contribute as blockers, and defenders who can execute on third down without modifications to the call, and know their ceiling after a few practices. Success will be easier to recognize in smaller, harder answers: a physical run game the coaches trust, multiple defenders capable of creating negative plays, a secondary that communicates and a second unit that does not require an apology when it takes the field. The roster already contains options. Fall camp must turn them into answers.

MBB: Dawgs Release Non-Conference Schedule

By Georgia Sports Communications

The Georgia Bulldogs released their non-conference schedule for the upcoming 2026-27 men’s basketball season on Thursday. Georgia will participate in ESPN events in New York and Orlando, host nine home games at Stegeman Coliseum, and travel for road dates at North Carolina and Georgia Tech this November and December.

The ESPN-managed matchups are the ESPN Events Challenge on Nov. 26-27 in Orlando and the Jimmy V Classic on Dec. 8 at Madison Square Garden. 

The Challenge is a 10-team event with two fields at Walt Disney World Resort during Thanksgiving week at State Farm Field House at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Fla. Georgia is in the non-bracketed “Magic Group” along with Boston College, Cincinnati and UCF. The Bulldogs will face the Bearcats and Knights on either Thursday, Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving Day), or Friday, Nov. 27. Matchups, game times, and television designations for those contests will be announced at a later date. Georgia is already slated to host Boston College in the SEC/ACC Challenge the following week on Dec. 1. 

The Bulldogs are 2-2 in previous meetings with Cincinnati, including an 84-65 victory in a Holiday Hoopsgiving date in Atlanta last season. Georgia is 4-0 versus UCF, most recently defeating the Knights 103-54 during their 1996 Sweet 16 campaign.

The Jimmy V Classic is a doubleheader featuring Georgia versus Duke and Alabama against Houston. 

The Bulldogs are 3-2 all-time against the Blue Devils; however, the schools have not met in nearly a century. Georgia topped Duke, 43-32, in the semifinals of the 1932 Southern Conference Tournament in Atlanta when the Bulldogs defeated Mississippi State, Virginia, Duke and North Carolina on successive days to capture their first conference title ever.

Georgia opens regular-season play on Monday, Nov. 2 by hosting N.C. Central, with additional home outings against Presbyterian on Friday, Nov. 6; Florida Gulf Coast on Monday, Nov. 9; Jacksonville on Monday, Nov. 16; Boston College on Tuesday, Dec. 1; Alabama A&M on Sunday, Dec. 13; West Georgia on Wednesday, Dec. 16; Gardner Webb on Sunday, Dec. 20; and North Florida on Tuesday, Dec. 29.

The Bulldogs will trek to Chapel Hill to face North Carolina on Friday, Nov. 13, their first trip to the Dean Smith Center since 1998. Georgia’s annual date with archrival Georgia Tech is set for Friday, Nov. 20 in Atlanta.

Last week, the SEC announced its men’s basketball schedule for the upcoming campaign. Georgia’s 18-game league slate features five home dates against 2026 NCAA Tournament teams and five Saturday home outings.

In addition to the regular season, the Bulldogs are expected to take advantage of new NCAA regulations allowing up to three preseason contests. Information on those games will be announced in the future.

Georgia is looking to continue its consistent and impressive growth under fifth-year head coach Mike White. The Bulldogs have reached the 20-win mark in each of the past three seasons and earned bids to the 2025 and 2026 NCAA Tournaments.

Georgia’s 2026-27 roster features a mix of six returnees, headlined by starters Blue Cain, Marcus “Smurf” Millender, Kanon Catchings and Kareem Stagg. White also has welcomed nine newcomers to Athens – five transfers and four freshmen.

The Bulldogs’ schedule for the upcoming season will include 18 regular-season home games – nine non-conference matchups and nine SEC dates. Information on new season tickets can be found here.

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