During Thursday’s media viewing period, the team was practicing inside the IPF and was in full pads, hard at work. Some important notes are that freshman inside linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) was seen back at practice, but he was not participating in drills. Dean was outside working with a trainer under the watchful eyes of Ron Courson instead. Dean seemed to be fine. Running back D’Andre Swift (7) was back in a red (contact) jersey.

Here are the rest of the notes from practice:

DEFENSE

Mark Webb (23) and Divaad Wilson (8) were working at the STAR position. Eric Stokes (27) and D.J. Daniel (14) at cornerback. Richard LeCounte III (2)along with Tyrique McGhee (26) were at safety.

The defensive backs were first participating in a drill that resembled ‘Oklahoma.’ Instead of tackling, they were wrapping up, but there was hard contact. Then at the end of the period, the players started working on their footwork as well as pass interception drills.

Head coach Kirby Smart was throwing the ball to the DBs. Junior Richard LeCounte (2), as well as D.J. Daniel (14) and true freshman Lewis Cine (15), had nice balance as they broke for the ball. I saw each one make a play on the ball and come down the interception.

With Dean out at inside linebacker, Quay Walker (25) and Channing Tindall (41) worked out behind Monty Rice (32) and Tae Crowder (30).

In addition to Dean being back, senior defensive end David Marshall (51) was also back at practice today. Marshall is coming off surgery to repair a foot injury and Kirby Smart said that he along with d-lineman Julian Rochester (5) were spending 50% of practice with the team and then the other 50% with the trainer.

OFFENSE

I counted nine tight ends dressed out today, and Ryland Goede (88) was still wearing that protective club on his right hand. The TEs were working on a blocking drill to identify and stop stunts. Kolby Wyatt (82) had some impressive blocks. John Fitzpatrick (86) also had a few great blocks.

From what I could see of the quarterback order, it was Jake Fromm (11) followed by Stetson Bennett (13), then D’Wan Mathis (2), and finally Nathan Priestley (9).

Senior Tyler Simmons (87), junior Demetris Robinson (16), and freshman George Pickens (1) were the top three wide receivers in the rotation.

It didn’t seem like the QBs, RBs or WRs were going full speed.

On the offensive line, Andrew Thomas (71), Solomon Kindley (66), Trey Hill (55), Cade Mays (77), and Isaiah Wilson (79) were the linemen in the first group, and Owen Condon (75), Justin Shaffer (54), Warren Ericson (50), Ben Cleveland (74), and D’Marcus Hayes (78) were in the second group. Of note, Mays was working with Cleveland at right guard. Sophomore Jamaree Salyer (69) was absent again, but Kirby Smart stated he was spending about 50% of his time with the trainer and the other 50% with the team at practice in Wednesday’s press conference.

UP NEXT

The Bulldogs will hold another practice Friday afternoon after classes and a practice on Saturday as well before taking a mandated NCAA day off on Sunday.