Georgia football is in its second week of preseason practices.
That’s not a lot of time for big moves up and down a depth chart closing in on three weeks to go before the season opener.
The Bulldogs will host their first of two scrimmages Saturday Aug. 9.
That’s a time during what is known as “fall camp,” when a first-year player can open even more eyes with his showing or a player in year two or three can rise or fall based on the impression they leave.
“Fall camp is a little bit different; you’re practicing every day, it’s longer hours, it’s a little more taxing,” offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said, “so it’s, ‘What can your guys handle mentally and physically?’ And we’re trying to figure that out.”
Coaches had 15 practices in the spring to get a good read of what they have at each position.
Summer enrollees from the transfer portal or the final pieces of the recruiting class have since joined the roster.
“I think it’s important in camp you assess, who are our best players?” defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann said. “What do they do well? Obviously, there is a blueprint for what the Georgia defense is. There’s a standard there.”
Here’s our try of where things stand on the depth chart at this point:
QuarterbackStarter: Gunner StocktonBackups: Ryan Puglisi, Colter Ginn, Ryan Montgomery, Hezekiah MillenderWhat to know: Stockton has had the whole offseason to settle into the starting role. The fourth-year junior has not explicitly been announced as QB1, but there is separation between him and the redshirt freshman Puglisi, who missed time in spring 2024 with a knee injury. Montgomery is also returning from a knee injury.Wide ReceiverStarters: Zachariah Branch, Dillon Bell, Noah ThomasBackups: Colbie Young, London Humphreys, Sacovie White, Talyn Taylor, CJ Wiley, Landon RoldanWhat to know: This group features four transfers, including Thomas and Young, who give Stockton big weapons on the outside, and Branch, who plugs in at the slot. Bell is a veteran piece who can get touches in the backfield, too. Taylor is a five-star freshman, and Wiley a top 100 overall recruit.Running backStarter: Nate FrazierBackups: Josh McCray, Cash Jones, Roderick Robinson, Chauncey Bowens, Dwight Phillips, Bo WalkerWhat to know: Group will be deeper after addition of 240-pound Illinois transfer McCray and Robinson if he can stay healthy. Frazier rushed for 671 and 8 TDs as a freshman. Walker has created buzz and is one to watch. Can Phillips expand his role? Coaches want to see backs find “dirty yards.”Tight endStarter: Oscar Delp, Lawson LuckieBackups: Jaden Reddell, Colton Heinrich, Elyiss Williams, Ethan BarbourWhat to know: Luckie is Georgia’s second-leading returning receiver with 24 catches for 348 yards, and Delp is a third-year starter who is looking for more production. Freshmen Williams and Barbour are top nine-rated tight ends in the 2025 class.Offensive lineStarter: Monroe Freeling, Micah Morris, Drew Bobo, Daniel Calhoun, Earnest GreeneBackups: Juan Gaston, Jamal Meriweather, Malachi Toliver, Michael Uini, Nyer Daniels, Jahzere Jackson.What to know: Four starters are gone, and third-year starter Greene has shifted to right tackle. The most heated battle is at right guard with redshirt freshmen Calhoun and Uini. The 6-foot-7, 360-pound Gaston should contribute as a freshman. Continuity could be key for improved run game.Defensive lineStarter: Christen Miller, Jordan Hall, Xzavier McLeodBackups, Joseph Jonah-Ajonye, Elijah Griffin, Nnamdi Ogboko, Nasir Johnson, Josh HortonWhat to know: The 6-4, 310-pound Miller could be the next bellcow of the defensive line, but coaches want him to bring a level of consistency and be a disruptive force. Griffin is the most heralded Georgia freshman but has shown a level of maturity that is encouraging. Jonah-Ajonye took a redshirt year after foot surgery.Outside linebackerStarter: Elo ModozieBackups: Quintavius Johnson, Gabe Harris, Kris JonesWhat to know: Schumann said the Army transfer Modozie has shown the athleticism that coaches saw on tape, but he’s still learning the defense. Johnson, a former high school quarterback, is still developing. Jones moved from inside linebacker to bolster an area where the Bulldogs were thin.Inside linebackerStarter: CJ Allen, Raylen WilsonBackups: Chris Cole, Justin Williams, Zayden WalkerWhat to know: This arguably is the most stocked position for Georgia. Allen has 117 tackles and 17 starts in two seasons. Wilson goes from experienced backup to starter. Cole and Williams are athletic players who will be hard to keep off the field.CornerbacksStarter: Daylen Everette, Daniel HarrisBackups: Ellis Robinson, Demello Jones, Dominick Kelly, Jontae GilbertWhat to know: Co-defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson indicated this week coaches still are working through how to use Ellis Robinson, who is pushing for playing time behind Harris. Everette is a third-year starter who made big plays in both wins over Texas.Safety/StarStarter: KJ Bolden, JaCorey Thomas, Joenel AgueroBackups: Adrian Maddox, Zion Branch, Kyron Jones, Jaden Harris, Rasean DinkinsWhat to know: Thomas started three games last season but could move into the first 11 full-time as a senior. Bolden is only a sophomore but lived up to the 5-star hype last year and takes over from Malaki Starks as the top playmaker. Aguero brings experience to Star nickel spot. Branch (Southern Cal) and Maddox (UAB) stand out among transfer safeties.KickerStarter: Peyton WoodringBackup: Liam BadgerWhat to know: There hasn’t been hardly any talk about Woodring this preseason. That says something about how steady he’s been in the kicking game for the Bulldogs. The junior is 42 of 48 on field goals in two seasons, including 23 of 23 last season.PunterStarter: Brett ThorsonBackups: Drew MillerWhat to know: Thorson is one of the biggest personalities on the team with one of the biggest legs in the nation. He’s coming back from a knee injury to his non kicking leg. If he’s not ready for the opener, redshirt freshman Drew Miller would step in like he did for the Sugar Bowl.Kick/punt returnersStarter: Zachariah BranchBackups: Sacovie White, Landon Roldon, Talyn Taylor, Cash JonesWhat to know: Branch’s experience and production puts him in a good spot as a returner. Special teams coordinator Kirk Benedict said the team is using more returners in practice, including Roldon, the Oconee County product.SnapperStarter: Beau GardnerWhat to know: Georgia had a clean sweep of the preseason All-SEC special teams spots including Gardner. The UCLA transfer will handle long snapping duties for the second year in a row for Georgia’s well-regarded kickers.