Georgia QB Jacob Eason
Georgia’s annual G-Day is complete after the Black squad defeated the Red squad 34-14 in Athens on Saturday in front of a record-breaking spring crowd of 93,000 fans.
This game was loaded with headlines.
It was Kirby Smart’s first game as head coach at his alma mater and also the debut of freshman quarterback Jacob Eason.
For Smart, who begged Georgia fans to pack Sanford Stadium for the spring game back in January, it was an impressive debut. He asked UGA’s passionate faithful to fill up the stadium for his first game, and they delivered.
As for Eason, who is competing with senior Greyson Lambert and junior Brice Ramsey for the starting quarterback job, it was an impactful first performance in front of the home crowd.
Who else delivered this spring?
Here are some winners and losers from Georgia’s 2016 spring session.
Georgia QB Brice Ramsey
Entering spring practice, Ramsey was viewed by most as the guy least likely to win Georgia’s starting quarterback job. Lambert had the experience, and Eason was the elite recruit.
A strong performance on G-Day might have changed that.
Ramsey completed 16 of 25 passes for 224 yards on Saturday. He took chances downfield and appeared comfortable in the pocket. Some of his intermediate passes were outstanding. Ramsey helped himself with a strong finish in the spring game.
Eason was phenomenal. He took chances downfield, knew when to check down and also appeared comfortable on the move.
While it’s important to note that Eason didn’t deal with a live pass rush, he doesn’t appear to be someone who panics when the pocket collapses.
Judging by Saturday’s performance, Georgia’s quarterback decision should be a two-way battle, with Eason firmly in the lead.
Greyson Lambert
Lambert, on paper, was the leader heading into spring practice. Last season, he was steady but unspectacular and conservative.
That trend continued in the spring game too. Lambert finished 11 of 22 for 140 yards and an interception. He often appeared hesitant to pull the trigger on passes downfield. And when he did, he was off target.
Lambert has experience, but he’s clearly not the best quarterback on the roster. That’s Eason.
While Smart isn’t ready to name a starter—and rightfully so—Lambert is fading. He will remain in the mix throughout fall camp, though.
Freshman WR Riley Ridley
The Bulldogs have numerous early enrollees, and several of them had a big spring.
Eason, of course, is the headliner. He was terrific.
A pair of pass-catchers, tight end Isaac Nauta and receiver Riley Ridley, were also outstanding. Nauta caught six passes for 53 yards and a score, while Ridley caught four balls for 68 yards in the spring game.
Offensive lineman Ben Cleveland had a strong performance as well. On a touchdown run by Tae Crowder, Cleveland pulled from his guard position and was the primary reason Crowder had an easy path to the end zone.
Cornerback Chad Clay and defensive lineman Julian Rochester also saw time but made less of an impact. Both players should figure into the mix this fall.
Georgia CB Chad Clay
The ‘Dawgs have some young and inexperienced guys in the secondary. That youth and inexperience showed at times in the spring game.
Quarterbacks repeatedly attacked downfield against the secondary and won often. Reggie Davis had numerous big plays in the passing game, while Ridley also had a few big catches.
If this is any indication on what could happen in 2016, Smart and defensive coordinator Mel Tucker have to be concerned.
Clay played in the spring game but didn’t make an impact. If he progresses in fall camp, this unit automatically improves.
Obviously, the coaches need a lot from the pass rush to help this group.
Freshman TE Isaac Nauta
New offensive coordinator Jim Chaney loves to feature tight ends, which is one reason why Smart wanted him to be his offensive coordinator, per Wilson Alexander of the Red & Black.
“Part of the reason I was so intrigued in hiring [Chaney] is he uses those tight ends so well,” Smart said. “He flexes them out. He uses them to chip and help offensive tackles. He’s really creative how he uses the tight ends.”
That’s great news for Georgia, as the Bulldogs have several talented tight ends on the roster.
Junior Jeb Blazevich returns and has started 22 career games. Jackson Harris and Jordan Davis are also back. However, it’s the arrival of Nauta that makes this group so intriguing.
Nauta has the ability to play on the line of scrimmage or flex out to the slot. His versatility, combined with the talent and experience of UGA’s incumbent tight ends, makes this group a unit to watch in 2016.
The spring game gave everyone a chance to see how much Chaney loves to involve the tight ends in the offense. He will often feature multiple tight ends on the field at the same time.
Tight ends combined to catch 15 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown in the spring game. And that was without Blazevich.
Georgia kicker Rodrigo Blankenship
The Bulldogs are looking to replace the consistent Marshall Morgan at kicker with a pair of young guys in freshman Rodrigo Blankenship and sophomore William Ham.
If the spring game is any indication of what UGA will get from its kicking game, it could be a roller-coaster ride when the ‘Dawgs line up for a field goal in 2016.
Blankenship was solid, connecting on two of his three attempts. His miss came from 44 yards out just before the half.
Ham missed badly on both of his attempts, although one miss was attributed to a bad hold by Brice Ramsey.
This battle should go deep into fall camp.
Sophomore LB D’Andre Walker
The Bulldogs lost a lot at outside linebacker with the departures of Jordan Jenkins and Leonard Floyd to the NFL. Fortunately for Georgia, there isn’t a lack of talent at the outside linebacker position in Athens.
Juniors Lorenzo Carter and Davin Bellamy expect to start in 2016. But don’t count out sophomore D’Andre Walker.
Walker finished a strong spring with an outstanding performance on G-Day. Remember, quarterbacks can’t be taken down in a spring game, but if they could be, Walker would have had an ever bigger game.
Regardless of which quarterback was in the game, Walker consistently beat UGA’s offensive tackles to get to the passer. In the fourth quarter, he stripped the quarterback on a rush, but the play was blown dead on contact.
Don’t be surprised to see Walker push for a starting spot in fall camp.