Wednesday afternoon’s practice heat index was a sweaty 99 degrees, but Kirby Smart still had his team running at full speed. Today was the first day that the team started preparing for Vanderbilt transitioning from Fall Camp into game mode, which Smart mentioned during this past Saturday’s press conference.
Here are some notes from today’s practice:
DEFENSE
Today the defensive line was working on stopping the read-option. Defensive line coach Tray Scott praised junior Malik Herring (10) along with seniors Michail Carter (76) and Justin Young (92) for executing the play properly. Tyler Clark (52) and Travon Walker (44) missed the ball carrier on their first tries, but then caught the quarterback on their second
The cornerbacks and safeties were off working out to the side on a drill where they followed the quarterback’s eyes, and then when the whistle blew they sprinted forward, were thrown to, and attempted to make an interception.
Safeties J.R. Reed (20) and Richard LeCounte (2) were first and second in the rotation. As Reed dropped a pass, defensive backs coach Charlton Warren screamed that anyone who dropped a pass would have to run 10 yards per drop after practice
Freshman ILB Nakobe Dean (17) was missing from the media viewing period again today. He was also absent on Tuesday and during Saturday’s scrimmage. Monty Rice (32) and Tae Crowder (30) were first, and with Dean out, they were followed by Channing Tindall (41) and Quay Walker (25).
OFFENSE
The first team offensive line was Andrew Thomas (71) , Solomon Kindley (66) , Cade Mays (77) , Trey Hill (55) and Isaiah Wilson (79). Junior Ben Cleveland (74) was running with the two’s at right guard today. Jamaree Sayler (69) was absent from the o-line group today. With Salyer out, freshman Warren McClendon (70) was taking snaps at RT with the second team.
There wasn’t much change in the running back rotation today, but first-team D’Andre Swift (7) was in a non-contact, black jersey. That is very odd because no player really other than a quarterback ever wears a black, non-contact jersey.
Jake Fromm (11) was at first-string quarterback and threw a beautiful post route hauled in by wide receiver Demetris Robinson (16). Fromm then overthrew Lawrence Cager (15), but Cager made a great catch in bounds. On the next go-round, Robertson dropped an easy pass and receivers coach Cortez Hankton scolded him up and down.
Freshman QB D’wan Mathis (2) throws a really smooth and catchable ball. Junior wideout Matt Landers (5) hauled in some impressive catches from Mathis.
FINAL THOUGHTS
We will update the status of freshman ILB Nakobe Dean and junior RB D’Andre Swift as soon as we find out; so, stay tuned to Bulldawg Illustrated. The Georgia football team will be back at it on Thursday afternoon after classes as they continue to prepare for their first game against Vanderbilt on the road, one week from this Saturday.