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Video/Transcripts: SEC Media Days Opening Day Video Review

Greg Sankey:

Shane Beamer:

Question: How are you feeling about your team going into this season after a 5–7 year?

Coach Beamer: I’m really excited. Certainly not the record we wanted last year, but I love the foundation we’ve built. Our guys have worked their butts off this offseason. We had a great spring. We’ve added some key pieces, and we’ve got a quarterback in LaNorris Sellers who we’re really excited about. The expectation is to win, and we’re not backing off that.

Question: You mentioned LaNorris Sellers. What can we expect from him in 2024?

Coach Beamer: He’s a guy that’s got all the tools—big arm, physical, smart, and he’s respected in the locker room. He doesn’t talk a lot, but when he does, guys listen. We’re not asking him to go out and be Superman. Just run the offense, take care of the football, and use his natural playmaking ability when it’s there. We feel confident he can do that.

Question: How do you replace a guy like Xavier Legette?

Coach Beamer: You don’t replace a guy like Xavier with just one person. It’ll take a group. We’ve got some young guys who need to step up, and we brought in a couple transfers to help. We’ll be a little different offensively—more balanced, more creative. I like the direction we’re going.

Question: There were a lot of changes in your coaching staff. What led to those, and how do you feel about the new hires?

Coach Beamer: Any time you go 5–7, you’re going to evaluate everything. Some guys left for other jobs, and in other cases, it was just time for a change. I’m really excited about the guys we brought in. They’ve brought great energy and new ideas. I think our players have really responded to them.

Question: The offensive line was a weakness last year. Have you addressed that?

Coach Beamer: Absolutely. That was priority one in the offseason. We were decimated by injuries last year. At one point we were down to our sixth tackle. We’ve brought in experience, and we’ve developed guys. They’re healthy, and there’s a chip on their shoulder. That group is going to be much improved.

Question: What’s your message to Gamecock fans going into this season?

Coach Beamer: Stay with us. We’ve had some awesome moments the last few years—beat Tennessee and Clemson in 2022, bowl wins in ’21 and ’22—but we want more. Nobody is more disappointed in last season than we are. But we’ve got a great group of young men, and we’re building something sustainable. I know you’ll be proud of this team.

Question: What are your thoughts on the 12-team playoff?

Coach Beamer: I think it’s great for college football. More opportunities for teams, more meaningful games late in the season. But we’ve still got to focus on the SEC first. If you compete in this league, you’re going to have a shot at the playoff anyway. I think it’ll be good for the sport overall.

Question: How are you handling NIL and the transfer portal?

Coach Beamer: It’s part of the job now. You’ve got to adapt. We’ve leaned into it. We’ve got a great NIL collective with Garnet Trust. I’m in constant communication with our players and recruits about how we use it. The portal gives and takes, but you’ve got to manage it like a roster in the NFL now. We’re being strategic about it.

Question: What’s your biggest concern heading into fall camp?

Coach Beamer: Just making sure we come together as a team. We’ve got new faces—freshmen and transfers—and we’ve got to build that chemistry. But this group is hungry. The leadership is stronger. If we stay healthy and stay connected, we’ll be in a good place.

Brian Kelly 

Question: Can you just talk about the quarterback battle right now? What do you have going on there?

Coach Kelly: Yeah, I think it’s a good competition. We have a lot of guys that have taken some reps. We’re trying to get those guys ready. It’s still early. It’s a battle between several guys, and we want to make sure whoever earns the job, earns it. The biggest thing for us is consistency, and whoever can give us the best chance to win.

Question: How do you feel about the offensive line going into this season?

Coach Kelly: Experience returning, and that’s been key. The guys have worked hard in the weight room and on technique. We lost a couple of guys to the portal, but we’ve got some young guys ready to step up. I think this unit will be better than last year by the time the season starts.

Question: What about your running backs?

Coach Kelly: Our backs are talented and versatile. We have a good mix of speed and power, and they’ve all bought into the system. We’ll rotate to keep guys fresh. Expect a balanced attack, and those backs will be important for controlling the clock.

Question: Do you expect any changes to your defensive scheme?

Coach Kelly: We’re going to stay true to our core philosophy but with some tweaks to adjust to the talent we have. We want to be more aggressive, especially on third down. The defense has worked hard to improve communication and tackle fundamentals.

Question: What challenges do you foresee with the SEC schedule this year?

Coach Kelly: Every week is a battle in the SEC, that’s no secret. We have to be ready to play our best every game. Depth and staying healthy will be huge. We know that the schedule is tough, but that’s why we play in this league — to compete against the best.

Question: How’s the team chemistry shaping up during fall camp?

Coach Kelly: Really good. The leadership has stepped up, and the younger guys are responding well. It’s a tight group with a lot of energy. We’re working on building trust and accountability on and off the field.

Question: What do you think about the new NIL landscape? How is it impacting your program?

Coach Kelly: It’s definitely changed things. We try to educate our players on managing their brands and staying focused on football. The portal and NIL make roster management more complex, but we’re adapting. We’re focused on keeping a strong culture amid the changes.

Question: Are there any particular players we should keep an eye on this season?

Coach Kelly: We have several guys ready to make a big impact. I won’t single out too many, but our quarterback, some of the skill guys, and a few on defense are going to be key to how we perform. They’ve put in the work this offseason, and I expect them to show up when the lights come on.

Question: What’s your biggest hope for this season?

Coach Kelly: To see progress. We want to build a program that wins consistently and represents the university with pride. We’re working toward that every day, and we hope to bring some excitement back to the fan base.

Lane Kiffin 

QUESTION: How do you feel about your team’s readiness heading into the season?

Coach Kiffin: I feel good. The guys have been working hard in camp. We’ve made progress on both sides of the ball. We’ve got a young team, but the leadership is strong, and we’re excited about the talent we have coming back and some new guys stepping up.

QUESTION: What are the biggest challenges you foresee this year?

Coach Kiffin: Depth is always a challenge, especially in the SEC. Injuries happen, and we have to be prepared for that. Also, executing consistently on offense and defense—especially in key moments—is crucial. We’ve focused on fundamentals in practice to help with that.

QUESTION: How’s the quarterback situation shaping up?

Coach Kiffin: It’s competitive. We have multiple guys vying for the spot, and it’s a battle every day in practice. We want to see who can handle the pressure, make good decisions, and lead the team.

QUESTION: Are there any changes to your offensive philosophy this season?

Coach Kiffin: We’re tweaking things a bit to fit our personnel better. We want to be balanced and unpredictable. Our offense will be aggressive but smart, taking what the defense gives us.

QUESTION: What about your defense? Any new schemes?

Coach Kiffin: We’re keeping the base defense solid but adding some new looks to confuse offenses. Communication and tackling are big focuses for us this year.

QUESTION: How do you handle the challenges of NIL and the transfer portal?

Coach Kiffin: It’s part of the game now. We have to be proactive in managing our roster and making sure players feel valued. NIL opportunities are important for our guys, and we support them in that while emphasizing commitment to the program.

QUESTION: Which players are you most excited about this season?

Coach Kiffin: There are several guys, but I’m really excited about our young skill players on offense and some veterans on defense. They’re stepping up in leadership roles and showing great work ethic.

QUESTION: What’s your message to the fans for this season?

Coach Kiffin: Stay patient and stay loud. We’re building something special here, and with the work these guys are putting in, I believe you’ll see a team that competes every game.

Clark Lea

QUESTION:
Can you give us an update on your quarterback situation?

Coach Lea:
We have a few guys competing. It’s been a good battle so far. We’re looking for consistency and leadership. Whoever can handle the pressure and make the right decisions will get the nod.

QUESTION:
How is your offensive line shaping up for this season?

Coach Lea:
We’ve got some returning starters and some young guys pushing hard. Depth is important, especially in this conference. The group has been working hard in the offseason and is making progress.

QUESTION:
What kind of offensive identity are you aiming for this year?

Coach Lea:
We want to be balanced and aggressive. Our goal is to keep defenses guessing and to take advantage of our skill players’ strengths. It’s about executing our game plan and being physical.

QUESTION:
Are there any changes on the defensive side we should expect?

Coach Lea:
We’re sticking with our core principles but adding some new packages to create confusion for offenses. Communication and discipline are keys for us this season.

QUESTION:
What challenges does your team face this season?

Coach Lea:
The schedule is tough. Injuries and depth will be a factor. We have to stay healthy and keep improving every week. Also, developing young players quickly is critical.

QUESTION:
How are you managing the impact of NIL and transfers on your program?

Coach Lea:
We stay focused on building relationships with our players and helping them manage their opportunities. It’s a new landscape, but we try to keep our culture strong and emphasize commitment.

QUESTION:
Who are some players fans should watch this season?

Coach Lea:
We have some exciting talent across the board. A few of our skill position players and some defensive leaders are poised for big years. They’ve put in the work and are ready to step up.

QUESTION:
What message do you want to send to your supporters?

Coach Lea:
We appreciate the support and ask fans to keep believing. We’re building something special, and with the effort these players put in, I’m confident they’ll make everyone proud.

SECMD25 Dawg Day Schedule

The second day of the 2025 SEC Media Days will feature appearances by Georgia, Auburn, Tennessee, and Texas. The schedule includes Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, Auburn’s Hugh Freeze, Tennessee’s Josh Heupel, and Texas’s Steve Sarkisian. The event is being held at the College Football Hall of Fame and Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park in Atlanta. 

Here’s the schedule for Tuesday, July 15th: 

• 9:05 AM ET: Georgia Head Coach Kirby Smart
• 11:15 AM ET: Auburn Head Coach Hugh Freeze
• 12:30 PM ET: Tennessee Head Coach Josh Heupel
• 2:15 PM ET: Texas Head Coach Steve Sarkisian

BSB: Six Dawgs Selected on Final Day of the 2025 MLB Draft

Six Georgia Bulldogs were selected on the second and final day of the 2025 MLB Draft. Five pitchers and one infielder heard their names called to continue their careers at a professional level.

The eight players selected in the 2025 MLB draft mark the most Bulldogs drafted since 2019 and tie for the second-most Georgia players drafted in a single year in program history.

Leighton Finley was selected in the sixth round with the 178th pick by the Boston Red Sox. Slate Alford was taken by the Los Angeles Angels with the 259th pick in the ninth round. Tyler McLoughlin was selected in the 10th round with the 313th pick by the New York Mets. The Colorado Rockies selected Zach Harris in the 11th round with the 317th overall pick. Matthew Hoskins’ name was called in the 12th round as the Kansas City Royals selected him with the 368th pick. With the 435th pick, the Los Angeles Dodgers took Davis Chastain in the 14th round.

Finley appeared in 54 games with 31 starts during his Bulldog career. He owns an 11-5 record with a 4.76 ERA and five saves across 172 innings. The junior right-hander tallied 190 strikeouts with 64 walks as part of two NCAA Regional teams (2024 and 2025) that were No. 7 national seeds and one that advanced to the NCAA Super Regionals.

During the 2025 campaign, the Richmond Hill native made 16 appearances, including 14 starts for Georgia. Finley posted a 3-2 record as he recorded a 4.85 ERA in a team-high 68.2 innings with 26 walks and 83 strikeouts. Finley limited opponents to a .216 batting average.

Finley is the third Bulldog in program history to be selected by the Red Sox. He follows outfielder and designated hitter David Coffey, who was picked in the 23rd round of the 2003 MLB Draft, and outfielder Bruce Chick, the eighth-round pick in the 1990 draft.

Alford posted a .314 average with 160 hits, 29 doubles, two triples, 36 home runs and 132 RBI over his two-year Georgia career. He started in all 120 games the past two seasons.

The Madison, Alabama native was a 2025 First Team All-SEC selection after owning a team-best .323 average, 11 home runs and 24 RBI in league action. He recorded a team-leading 24 multiple-hit games, 19 multiple-RBI games and a 37-game on-base streak. The Second Team ABCA/Rawlings All-Southeast Region selection registered the two hardest hit home runs by a Bulldog with an exit velocity of 115 miles per hour (mph) against No. 13 Florida and 112 mph against No. 1 Arkansas.

Alford is the first Bulldog drafted by the Angels since Zac Kristofak got the call in the 14th round of the 2019 MLB Draft.

McLoughlin made 22 appearances with one start in his Bulldog career, tallying a 4-0 record with one save and 31 strikeouts in 25.1 innings. He provided 11 scoreless relief appearances with his longest outing coming in a win against Columbia, tossing 2.2 innings with a season-high four strikeouts.

The two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient tallied wins over Kennesaw State, Columbia, West Georgia and No. 11 Auburn while notching a save with 1.2 scoreless innings of a series-clinching win over No. 14 Oklahoma.

McLoughlin will join former teammates Corey Collins and Chandler Marsh, who signed with New York after the 2024 MLB Draft.

Harris owns an 8-3 record while making 41 appearances with 12 starts for Georgia. He recorded a 5.89 ERA and four saves in 65.2 innings with 76 strikeouts. He tallied a team-high four saves with a 3-1 record for the Bulldogs in 2025. 

The Milton native is a two-time College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team honoree and two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient. He provided a career-high six innings with six strikeouts in the 2024 NCAA Athens Regional Final against Georgia Tech. The right-hander also started game three of the 2024 NCAA Athens Super Regional versus No. 19 N.C. State.

Harris is the second Bulldog in as many seasons to receive the call from the Colorado Rockies. Harris will join 2024 first-round draft pick Charlie Condon in the organization. Condon was selected third overall after a historic season, winning the Golden Spikes Award and the Dick Howser Trophy while capturing Georgia’s single-season and career home run records.

Hoskins, a 6-2, 208-pounder, appeared in 33 games with six starts for Georgia, owning a 2-4 record with two saves. He notched a 6.22 ERA with 67 strikeouts in 50.2 innings.

The Duluth native posted a 1-2 record in 2025 with two saves and a 5.93 ERA. He tallied 39 strikeouts across 27.1 innings. Hoskins earned a save over top-ranked Arkansas (1 IP, 1BB, 1K) and one against Illinois-Chicago (3.2 IP, 0R, 5K). He pitched the final 1.1 innings with three strikeouts to complete a road sweep of No. 13 Florida.

Hoskins becomes the sixth Bulldog to join the Royals organization. He is the first Bulldog to be drafted to Kansas City since Joey Lewis in 2009. Former Bulldog Tucker Bradley signed with the Royals as a free agent following the 2020 draft.

Chastain made 13 appearances out of the bullpen for the Bulldogs in 2025. He posted a 3-0 record with a 4.97 ERA in 12.2 innings with five walks and 15 strikeouts. He earned a win in his Bulldog debut against Quinnipiac, tossing one inning.

The junior right-hander also picked up a pair of victories over Georgia State and worked a season-high 1.2 scoreless innings against No. 23 Kentucky. The Rome native notched a season-high three strikeouts in one perfect frame against Kennesaw State.

Chastain will join Ben Harris in the Dodgers organization. Harris was drafted by Los Angeles in the eighth round of the 2021 MLB Draft.

Pitchers JT Quinn and Brian Curley were drafted on the first day of the draft. Quinn was taken by the Baltimore Orioles in the Competitive Balance Round B. Curley was a third-round pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Under Ike Cousins head baseball coach Wes Johnson, the Bulldogs now have had 11 players drafted with an additional two players signing free agent contracts in his two seasons at the helm of the program. The 2025 MLB Draft was held over two days with 20 rounds. On Monday, the draft featured rounds 4-20. A total of 615 players were selected this year.

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