The Red & Black | G-Day Preview, April 13, 2023

Front and center Sedrick Van Pran seizing leadership role for Georgia

Owen Warden

Georgia’s 2022-2023 football season couldn’t have gone any better. The team went 15-0, won an SEC championship and its second national championship in two seasons.

This year, the Bulldogs are losing a number of key contributors from those championship runs, with over 30 players leaving Georgia for the NFL following the past two seasons. However, not all of Georgia’s impact players are on the way out. One player that’s started for the past two seasons will return for a third: starting center Sedrick Van Pran.

“He was a big part of last year’s national championship,” former Georgia offensive tackle Warren McClendon said. “For him to come back, that’s a lot of game reps, a lot of leadership in that room.”

Van Pran has been a critical piece for a national championship offensive line. Even amidst turnover at the other offensive line spots, Van Pran has held the starting center role since his redshirt freshman season in 2021.

Now, as a rising redshirt junior, Van Pran has the task of anchoring the middle of the offensive line that’s not only losing both tackles but also the quarterback they protected last season.

Stetson Bennett started under center for the majority of the past two seasons. As such, Van Pran and Bennett had plenty of time to get used to one another and grow

alongside each other.

“Sed’s done a great job of growing and learning and becoming a smarter football player and a better football player,” Bennett said. “I can lean on him more, I can trust him more … It’s been a pleasure and an honor playing behind him.”

Van Pran described the quarterback-center relationship as a partnership, one where both sides put the team’s needs above individual accolades.

“It’s more of a trust that each guy will get the job done,” Van Pran said. “And also a connection in knowing that if he tells me something or I tell him something, there’s no ego. It’s nothing against you personally. It’s all for the benefit of the team.”

those guys.”

When it comes to his game, Van Pran doesn’t have many adjustments he needs to make. He and the rest of the 20222023 Georgia offensive line were named the runner-up for the Joe Moore Award, given annually to the best offensive line in college football.

Van Pran did have to adjust to a bigger leadership role, though. Former Bulldog and current Los Angeles Charger Jamaree Salyer gave him a lot of advice going into last season.

“I think the biggest thing I’ve taken from Jamaree, because I’m not a not a huge talker, is just be more vocal,” Van Pran said after G-Day in 2022. “When you say things, people respect it. So, just be more vocal. Make sure that guys are on the right page. And that’s something I’m trying to work off of myself is making sure I’m not always leading by example and start leading more by being vocal.”

Whether being more vocal propelled his leadership forward, the former four-star prospect out of New Orleans, has come a long way and taken a spotlight on Georgia’s roster. Named a captain in both playoff games, attending SEC media days and even speaking after the championship parade, Van Pran has become a force for the Bulldogs on and off the field.

With Bennett off to the NFL, Van Pran will have to block and also snap for a new quarterback. Despite the change in personnel, Van Pran’s not expecting any massive disruptions to his rhythm.

“[It’s] not that big of an adjustment,” Van Pran said.

“I think everybody’s unique, though. Some guys may be louder. Some guys may be taller, shorter. Some guys may have different preferences when it comes to points and different things like that. But it’s all about relationships and knowing who’s behind you and who you’re dealing with, [and] I feel like I have a pretty good relationship with all of

Van Pran could’ve left with several of his teammates and been one of the first centers selected in the draft. He instead elected to return due to his “love for the G.” That passion for the program will help Van Pran in his path to becoming one of the 2023 Bulldogs’ top leaders.

“Sed was my roommate this past year and just knowing how he is as a person, a New Orleans kid trying to provide for his family, I understand what he’s going through,” former Georgia wide receiver Kearis Jackson said. “We all have things we go through, but Sed was just that vocal leader that we needed. He was very genuine, showed a lot of gratitude towards his work … So, I’d say Sed Van Pran is the guy that’s going to be able to lead the team and lead those guys.”

It’s been a pleasure and an honor playing behind him.

STETSON BENNETT | FORMER GEORGIA QUARTERBACK

Sedrick Van Pran (63) has started at center for all 30 games of Georgia’s back-to-back national champtionship seasons. SIDNEY CHANSAMONE/STAFF

Searching for a signal-caller

Georgia football’s quest for a starting quarterback

John James

The Georgia football team is entering the 2023 season with a chance to accomplish something that hasn’t been done in over 80 years.

The last — and only — team to win three-consecutive national championships in college football were the Minnesota Golden Gophers, capping off their trifecta with a 7-1 season in 1936. Now, the Bulldogs are on the precipice of something historic, though there is one large hurdle remaining in their path.

Former starting quarterback Stetson Bennett is departing for the NFL after leading Georgia to back-to-back national titles. Bennett, the team’s first Heisman nominee since 1992, helped the program ascend to new heights. Without him, the Bulldogs are faced with the task of finding a successor for one of the most-accomplished athletes in school history. Bennett himself expressed confidence in the team’s ability to produce a suitable replacement.

“The way that the [Georgia football] program is, by the time that football comes around, whoever is supposed to be the starter is gonna be the starter,” Bennett said. “And they’ll be well-battled and ready to go.”

doesn’t have the same level of experience as Beck. To make up for that, Vandagriff said that he treats his preparation like a game — including the practices and scrimmages that are spread throughout spring training.

“Just the game flow and the game speed has probably been the biggest transition,” Vandagriff said. “And it helps being able to go against one of the best defenses in the country every day in practice.”

For Beck, the offseason has been more about improving day-by-day and developing chemistry with the newcomers on the offense.

Both players said that maintaining a consistent, calm attitude was also a focal point throughout the spring. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart has been very clear about what he and his staff are looking for in a starting quarterback, and grace under pressure is high on the list of priorities.

“Demeanor and communication,” Smart said. “I can get the stats, but a true quarterback is a decision-maker in our system because some systems take all the pressure off the quarterback and they just go really fast — we don’t do that. We’re a quarterback driven offense.”

Gunner Stockton, a redshirt freshman, is the third option for the signal-caller spot. Beck described Stockton as “the young gun in the quarterback room.” He said that Stockton has been intentional about trying to learn from the other quarterbacks, asking questions and working on improving himself as a player.

Many of the wide receivers on the team — including Arian Smith, who made the biggest play of the night during Georgia’s Peach Bowl victory over Ohio State — praised Stockton’s armstrength. It’s one of the reasons Stockton was ranked as the seventh-best quarterback in the nation when he enrolled at Georgia. Smart made sure not to discount Stockton’s potential when spring practice began.

The obvious candidate for the role is Carson Beck. Beck, a fourstar prospect out of Jacksonville, Florida, has the most experience out of any quarterback on the roster. Beck enrolled at Georgia in January 2020, and has thrown for six touchdowns and nearly 500 yards over 12 games in his career.

The majority of his in-game action came once the matchups’ outcome was already decided. Though Beck has yet to be tested in a high-leverage situation, that hasn’t impacted his confidence.

“Every day I walked out there, I felt like I was the guy,” Beck said. “I think that’s the mentality you have to have at the quarterback position because there’s only one guy out there. So, when you get the opportunity, you have to seize it.”

Redshirt sophomore Brock Vandagriff is another quarterback with a chance to seize the starting role. Vandagriff arrived at Georgia a year after Beck, rooming with tight end Brock Bowers during his freshman season. Bowers said that he’s seen a different side of Vandagriff so far throughout the spring.

“[Vandagriff] has a different sense of urgency and a sense of focus,” Bowers said. “Just getting up, studying the playbook, studying what we have that day. I’m proud of him. He seems a lot more involved in everything that’s going on.”

A self-described “pocket passer,” Vandagriff led Prince Avenue Christian to a state title in his senior year of high school, propelled by the coaching of his father, Greg Vandagriff. Despite his high school success, Vandagriff is aware that he

“I wouldn’t count Gunner Stockton out of this thing,” Smart said. “Because this kid is talented [and] smart. I got to see him on the scout team the entire year and really saw him grow.”

Quarterback is the most important position in football. Bad quarterback performances anchor the team, rooting them to the ground and preventing any forward momentum whatsoever. Similarly, good quarterback performances can propel a team above all realistic expectations, emphasizing the talents of every other player on the field.

Smart and the Bulldogs would be wise not to rush into any rash judgments with such a pivotal decision. This isn’t the first time Georgia has dealt with a quarterback controversy, and it won’t be the last. To ensure success in the 2023 season and beyond, Smart knows that he’ll need his best available option making the calls under center.

Beck and Vandagriff seem to understand the gravity of the situation. Both have become national champions during their time in red and black, and they’ve seen firsthand that the talent level at Georgia — from the starters down to the scout team — is one reason the program has risen to such impressive heights in recent years.

“You come to UGA for competition,” Vandagriff said. “I knew that coming in. Coach Smart is gonna put the best guy out there. The best guy that gives Georgia the best chance to win — he’s gonna be out there.”

QB Timeline

March 3, 2019 Carson Beck committed to play for Georgia.

Jan. 6, 2020 Beck enrolled at the University of Georgia.

Jan. 21, 2020 Brock Vandagriff committed to play for Georgia.

Dec. 12, 2020 Beck saw his first collegiate action against Missouri.

Dec. 28, 2020 Vandagriff won the Class A Private state championship with Prince Avenue Christian School.

Jan. 10, 2021 Vandagriff enrolled at the University of Georgia.

Jan. 28, 2021 Gunner Stockton committed to play for Georgia.

Sept. 11 2021 Vandagriff saw his first collegiate action against the University of Alabama at Birmingham

Dec. 7, 2021 Gunner Stockton was named the 2021-22 Gatorade Georgia Football Player of the Year.

Jan. 10, 2021 Georgia beat Alabama for its first national championship in four decades.

Jan. 17, 2022 Gunner Stockton enrolled at the University of Georgia.

Jan. 9, 2023 Georgia beat TCU to win its second-straight national championship.

Every day I walked out there, I felt like I was the guy.

CARSON BECK | GEORGIA QUARTERBACK

(From left to right) Georgia quarterbacks Gunner Stockton, Brock Vandagriff and Carson Beck throwing passes at practice on March 21, 2023. LANDEN TODD/CONTRIBUTOR

Switching up the secondary

Offseason brings uncertainty for Georgia’s defensive backs

Jacob Stewart

Georgia football head coach Kirby Smart has put together elite defensive back units since he was hired.

Some of the most iconic moments in program history were born from the secondary — from safety Christopher Smith’s fumble recovery for a touchdown against LSU in the 2022 SEC Championship game to his pick-six against Clemson in 2021. However, there’s no play more memorable than cornerback Kelee Ringo’s pick-six against Alabama in the 2022 National Championship to earn Georgia its first national title in 41 years.

A former defensive back himself, Smart brought in and developed players like Tyson Campbell and Eric Stokes, both of whom produced at the collegiate level and went on to do so in the NFL. Cultivating elite position groups also means dealing with a lot of turnover, whether that be via the NFL draft or the transfer portal. Smith and Ringo will likely hear their names called at the draft, which will take place from April 27-29.

Added to the list of exits is Jaheim Singletary, a former five-star cornerback prospect from the 2022 class, who entered the transfer portal on Jan. 13 and landed at Arkansas two months later.

The Bulldogs will miss the production from players like Smith and Ringo, but they are no stranger to the reloading process. There is perhaps no better example of this than what Bulldog fans saw Kamari Lassiter do in succession of Derion Kendrick, as well as Malaki Starks and Javon Bullard stepping up to fill the hole left by Lewis Cine.

Lassiter climbed up the ladder to put himself in position to be the new No. 1 at the cornerback position. Starks and Bullard burst onto the scene last season and will provide experience in the secondary. Tykee Smith is another player who brings experience and may not have shown his full potential since coming to Georgia from West Virginia in 2020.

Lassiter emphasized the need for leadership from the returning players and veterans during spring camp.

“Really just leading by example,” Lassiter said. “Approaching everyday the same way with the same motivation, the same tenacity that you did your first day whenever you were trying to get a start spot.”

Georgia added Deyon “Smoke” Bouie from Texas A&M in the transfer portal on the same day that Singletary entered it. Bouie is a former four-star cornerback prospect originally from Bainbridge, Georgia, the same town Smart grew up in. Bouie will be a player to watch for fans and teammates alike as the battle to fill the cornerback spots progresses.

“[Bouie is a] very handsy player. I love watching him play,” Bullard said. “He gets hands on receivers, very physical at the point of attack. Very quick and agile. He moves well. I think he’s going to make a great fit for our team.”

The 2022 recruiting class already saw Starks burst onto the scene, but other names could emerge in their second season in Athens. Former five-star Daylen Everette, as well as former fourstars Julian “Julio” Humphrey and Marcus Washington, don’t have much in-game experience, but another year in the system will have them closer to taking impactful snaps on Saturdays.

Although there is a decent amount of experience returning, there is also a star-studded 2023 class that will surely be fighting for its seat at the table. Five-star safety prospect Joenel Aguero headlines the defensive backs class. Much like Starks last season, Aguero has what it takes to be an immediate contributor. Fourstar cornerbacks AJ Harris, Justyn Rhett, Daniel Harris and Chris Peal could push for reps as well.

Bullard, in regards to the level of talent at the position, said he had no problem continuing to prove himself on the field.

MANAGER Maddie Daniel MULTIMEDIA STUDIO ASSISTANT Tim O’Brien

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION COMMITTEE

CHAIR Libby Hobbs

“There is no replacing Chris,” Bullard said. “He’s always going to be a part of us, like I said. Just that guy being who he was there is no replacing him, but it’s always like it’s next man up. Great players [leave] Georgia all the time and great players come up in Georgia all the time.”

“I’m still the same person,” Bullard said. “I’m still eating off the floor. Like coach Smart preaches, there’s no entitlement. You’re not entitled to anything, so it’s still the same mindset I had last year. You’re going to stay hungry or you’re going to get complacent, and complacent’s just not in my DNA.”

Bullard and Lassiter are the most-experienced players in what is otherwise a fairly young unit, but their “eat off the floor” mentality will keep the competition for reps at an elite level.

Making the leap

5 Bulldogs who are poised to break out in 2023

Jared Smith

Last season, several Georgia players had breakout seasons, with linebackers Jamon Dumas-Johnson and Smael Mondon Jr. leading the way. Ahead of the 2023 G-Day game, here are some players to watch who could break out for Georgia this season.

#6

Daylen Everette

With former cornerback Kelee Ringo headed to the NFL, the Bulldogs will have a key spot to fill in their secondary for the upcoming season. Junior cornerback Kamari Lassiter played opposite Ringo and will likely return as a starter on their defense. The other cornerback spot is up for grabs, so the rising sophomore Everette could emerge as an extremely valuable piece in 2023.

Everette played in 14 games this past season, mainly contributing on special teams. He recorded 13 tackles and one pass breakup. The former five-star was a highly touted prospect coming out of high school, landing as the sixth-best cornerback and a top-30 recruit in the 2022 class.

Bear Alexander

#99

It’s no secret that Georgia knows a thing or two about developing defensive linemen. In the 2022 NFL draft, three were selected in the first round — Travon Walker, Jordan Davis and Devonte Wyatt. In the upcoming draft, former Bulldog Jalen Carter will likely be selected early in the first round. Now, the rising sophomore Alexander looks to take on Carter’s role for the upcoming season.

While Alexander might not have light the stat sheet, he stepped up big late in the season. He finished the year with two sacks and nine tackles, though his best performance came on the biggest stage. Against TCU in the College Football Playoff National Championship, he totaled one sack and two tackles for a loss.

In high school, he rushed for 15 touchdowns and nearly 1,200 yards on 121 attempts in his final season. He was the highest-rated recruit in the state of Mississippi and a top-five running back in the 2022 recruiting class. Robinson saw action in 12 games in his first collegiate season, carrying the ball 68 times for 330 yards and three touchdowns.

Amarius Mims

#65

As Broderick Jones and Warren McClendon take their talents to the professional level, Georgia looks to replace both offensive tackles. Although they might be big shoes to fill, Mims is an extremely talented player and Georgia’s highest-rated offensive tackle recruit of all time. He was the best in the state of Georgia and UGA’s 2021 recruiting class, slightly nudging out rising junior quarterback Brock Vandagriff for the top spot. He comes in at 6-foot-7, 330-pounds, making him the largest offensive lineman on the team. Mims saw consistent action throughout the season, regularly rotating in at right tackle during games. He saw extended time in the lineup in the postseason as McClendon went down with an injury.

#13

Mykel Williams

Rising sophomore and defensive lineman Williams missed the majority of spring practice due to a nagging foot injury he suffered last season. He underwent surgery and will likely return by the start of fall camp.

Williams exploded onto the scene in his first year with the Bulldogs. He led the team in sacks with four and a half as a true freshman. At 6-foot-5, 265-pounds, he brings a lengthy and athletic frame to Georgia’s front seven. While he won’t be playing in G-Day, he’ll likely have a major impact in season.

Marvin Jones Jr.

#7

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#22

Branson Robinson Running backs and rising seniors Kendall Milton and Daijun Edwards both missed spring practice due to hamstring injuries. Because of that, second-year running back Robinson has seen an increased workload in practice and could have a featured role in Georgia’s annual intrasquad scrimmage. Coming in at 5-foot-10, 220-pounds, Robinson is a bruising back with real potential to get some minutes this year.

Rising sophomore outside linebacker Jones missed this year’s slate of spring practices because of a lingering shoulder injury that occurred last season. He underwent labrum surgery and looks to return sometime this summer. As such, Jones also won’t play on G-Day.

While there’s no definitive answer to who will take over for Nolan Smith, he brings immense upside, as one of the highest-rated pass rushers at that position. At 6-foot-5, 250-pounds, Jones was a fivestar prospect and the third-best edge rusher in his class. He played in 13 games last season and got a sack against Georgia Tech in the last game of the regular season.

You’re going to stay hungry or you’re going to get complacent, and complacent’s just not in my DNA.

JAVON BULLARD | GEORGIA DEFENSIVE BACK

Defensive backs Malaki Starks (24) and Javon Bullard (22) celebrate during the national championship on Jan. 9, 2023. SIDNEY CHANSAMONE/STAFF

Behind the lines

Olivia Sayer

Unsung heroes are the people you never knew existed but can’t live without. College football has plenty of unsung heroes, and the reigning national champions are no exception.

Whether it’s the scout team players, equipment managers or assistant coaches who may not receive enough recognition, it takes a village to help the Georgia football program operate smoothly — the University of Georgia sports turf and grounds crew is one of them.

So many of the great moments on Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium would not have been possible without this team working around the clock to maintain the space between the hedges.

Ethan Kain, the assistant director of sports turf and grounds at the University of Georgia, is an important part of the crew. Another is Kyle Odom, a groundskeeper for UGA.

While it might not seem like it, the grass affects every single player that steps onto the field. If not maintained correctly, the turf can cause injuries. The UGA Grounds Department certainly understands the magnitude of this.

“We’re really just worried about footing, playability and safety for the football players,” Kain said.

To ensure the safety and playability of Dooley Field, the sports turf and grounds crew are especially deliberate about the type of grass used on the field.

“Sanford stays 100% Bermuda grass all year,” Kain said.

According to Gerald Henry, a UGA professor of environmental and turfgrass science, Bermuda grass is one of the safest options because it helps avoid lower limb and non-contact injuries, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) tears.

“That system is meant to act as a shock absorber — so when a player falls on the ground, that grass and that soil profile give way,” Henry said.

A lot goes into preparing the field for game week. The process officially begins the Sunday after the game. On this day, the crew gives the field its first mow of the week and blows off any debris remaining from the game. On Monday, the crew sprays it with a fertilizer that gives the grass the food and nutrients it needs to get through the week.

Tuesday is when the real fun begins, as the crew starts painting the yard lines. This requires precision because one wrong move could jeopardize the result of a game. The crew members run a string across the field to verify they are painting the lines straight and into their precisely measured places.

On Wednesday and Thursday, the painting continues after the field is given another mow. The crew paints the endzones, red border, coaches’ boxes, hashes, numbers and SEC logos. Friday, the last day before the game, is when the finishing touches are applied.

On the morning of the game, the crew will give the field another mow to make sure it is on point for the game. After that, they are “hands off,” according to Kain, to allow players space to prepare for the game. However, this does not mean the crew can kick their feet up and relax. They must be ready for any obstacles that arise during the game.

“We have people stationed on the field [during the game] just in case anything goes wrong,” Odom said.

Although the college football regular season ends in November, maintaining the field extends well past that. Cold months and temperature drops follow the Bulldogs’ last regular season game against Georgia Tech. To keep the field in tip-top shape, the UGA sports turf and grounds crew covers the field in growth blankets, which are thin pieces of fabric that allow sunlight to pass through them and into the soil.

One memorable event in Sanford Stadium this past season took place on Jan. 14, when the football team celebrated back-to-back national championships. When the game clock hit zero the previous Monday night in SoFi Stadium, the turf and grounds crew knew it had one final assignment for the football season.

Thursday Crossword - Answer Online FRIDAY, APRIL 14

STADIUM STATS

X Sanford Stadium was named after Steadman v. Sanford, the former president of the university.

X The field at Sanford Stadium was renamed Dooley Field in 2019 after the team’s former head coach. Vince Dooley brought the Bulldogs their first championship in the 1981 season.

X The first football game at Sanford Stadium — a 15-0 victory against Yale — was played on Oct. 29, 1929.

X Sanford Stadium hosted a round of Olympic soccer games in 1996.

X Sanford Stadium has a capacity of 92,746, making it the tenth-largest college football stadium in the country.

Although many fans were already celebrating around halftime, the grounds crew stuck to its typical game week schedule. According to Odom, preparing the field was mostly the same process as a typical game week, except for two things. One was the paint colors and the other was the stencil, putting a national championship logo where the “Power G” would usually be.

Preparing Dooley Field for gamedays is something that requires a lot of hard work. Head football coach Kirby Smart often emphasizes how his program makes the week of practice harder than the game. The same could be said for Dooley Field’s game day preparation.

“The coolest thing that I guess people don’t realize is that most of our work [occurs during] the week,” Odom said. “So on gameday it is more of just making sure everything goes good for the game because our work is mostly done.” Even if just for a day, they get to enjoy the fruits of their labor. However, as soon as the game clock hits zero, it’s back to work on the field that brings Bulldog fans so many great memories on Saturdays in Athens.

The hidden heroes who get Dooley Field ready for gameday

Faded paint on Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium on April 10, 2023. KATIE TUCKER/STAFF

Freshman faces

First-year players to watch at G-Day

Georgia football has been successful under head coach Kirby Smart on the recruiting trail since he was hired in 2015. This year, Georgia finished with the second-best 2023 class, right behind Alabama. Here are some of the early-enrollee freshman candidates that could make a strong first impression on April 15 at G-Day.

#35

Damon Wilson Jr., outside linebacker

Wilson leads the charge as the Bulldog’s highest-rated recruit, according to the 247Sports composite. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound edge rusher from Nokomis, Florida, was rated as a five-star prospect and the third-ranked edge rusher in the 2023 class.

Wilson is Georgia’s highest edge rushing prospect since Nolan Smith back in 2019, coming in as Georgia’s 36th-best recruit of all time. Already equipped with a quick burst off the line of scrimmage, Wilson possesses an all-around arsenal of pass-rushing moves that could be displayed in the intrasquad scrimmage.

#8

Joenel Aguero, defensive back

Aguero is a five-star defensive back listed at 5-foot-11, 205 pounds. He was the 37th overall prospect and the third-best safety prospect in his class. Aguero is a unique athlete who provides a punishing presence in the run game while also possessing the speed to cover anyone on the field.

The departure of Christopher Smith to the NFL Draft and the absence of Dan Jackson from this year’s spring game could allow for Aguero to compete and receive playing time as a true freshman, like standout safety Malaki Starks the season prior.

#5

Raylen Wilsonhas already put his athleticism to the test, drawing praise from last year’s leading tackler Smael Mondon Jr. Raylen Wilson is a threat on the field and the track, breaking 11 seconds in the 100-meter dash. He is another sideline-to-sideline athlete in the middle for the Bulldogs, similar to past Georgia greats Roquan Smith and Nakobe Dean.

#57 Monroe Freeling, offensive tackle

Freeling is the highest-rated offensive prospect Georgia secured this recruiting cycle. Coming in as the 32nd overall prospect and the highest-rated in South Carolina, Freeling is a huge addition to the team. Not only because he is another five-star athlete, but also because of his massive 6-foot-7, 300-pound frame. Georgia lost its two former starting tackles from the 2022 season, Broderick Jones and Warren McClendon, who entered their names into the NFL Draft. Freeling is at the forefront of conversations, impressing his coaches and his teammates with his athleticism. There is a possibility of him competing for the chance to take either of the available positions with his performance in the spring game.

#0

Raylen Wilson, outside linebacker

Not to be confused with the other defensive five-star ‘Wilson’ that came out of the state of Florida, Raylen Wilson is an inside linebacker that came in as the 27th overall player in the 2023 class. The 6-foot-1, 225-pound linebacker adds his athleticism to an explosive group of inside linebackers.

Roderick Robinson II, running back

Robinson, the four-star running back out of Imperial, California, is another imposing prospect, partially due to his size. Listed at 6-foot, 235 pounds, Robinson is a physical back, as he repeatedly ran through players in high school when he made his way to the endzone. As a senior, the MaxPreps Player of the Year finalist put up 2,378 yards rushing and 37 touchdowns in his senior year. He rushed for over 200 yards in three separate games. Against Mater Dei Catholic High School, he rushed for a career-high 476 yards and eight touchdowns and a career-long 75-yard run in a 56-20 victory.

The Bulldogs are set to be without three contributors in the backfield this spring with Kendall Milton, Daijun Edwards and Andrew Paul all sidelined due to injuries. That leaves both Robinsons, Roderick and Branson, to carry the workload in the backfield. This gives the early enrollee a chance to showcase his physical running style and earn more reps in season by taking advantage of the playing time he’ll receive this spring.

Top left: Damon Wilson at spring practice. Top right: Monroe Freeling in a pass set during practice. Bottom left: Joenel Aguero lines up. Bottom right: Raylen Wilson jogs during practice. COURTESY/UGA ATHLETICS

Samuel Higgs

G-Day grub

Paloma Park

235 West Washington St.

Hundreds of football fans pack into Paloma Park on gamedays to experience the biggest outdoor beer garden and jumbotron in the Classic City. This spacious indoor and outdoor space makes for an ideal gameday gathering spot with friends and family. Happy hour is from 4-7 p.m. on the weekends, where you can enjoy specials such as $15 bottomless chips and queso and $3 ‘Paloma on Drafts,’ a grapefruit and tequila cocktail on tap, during the game.

Magnolias Bar of Athens

312 East Broad St.

Stop at Magnolias on your way to G-Day or on your way back downtown because this bar is the closest to Sanford Stadium. The two-story bar is one of the largest bars in Athens, complete with a pet-friendly patio, three large projectors and seven televisions, according to the website. It offers a happy hour everyday that serves $3 Pink Whitney shots, $10 bottles of wine and $5 High Noons until 11 p.m.

The Pine Bar

1235 South Milledge Ave.

Begin your G-Day festivities embracing celebration by popping a bottle of crisp, bubbly champagne. The Pine Bar offers half off sparkling wines by the bottle during its “Champagne Brunch,” held weekly on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Located off of Milledge Avenue, this spot offers a sophisticated and comfortable atmosphere to ease into your afternoon. Not to mention, it freshly squeezes its orange juice, making for the perfect mimosa.

Starland Lounge & Lanes

145 East Clayton St.

If you’re feeling competitive after watching sports all day, Starland has four duckpin bowling lanes along with a foosball table, pingpong table and two skeeball machines.

If you’re more in the mood to relax or need a breather between games, there are couches and tables available as well as full-service bars upstairs and downstairs. Sip on specialty cocktails, Georgia craft beers or rare Bourbon selections while you watch G-Day highlights, play games or chat. You can reserve lanes on its website, and it is open from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturdays.

Dooley’s Bar & Grill

259 East Broad St.

Named after legendary Georgia head coach Vince Dooley, Dooley’s Bar & Grill is a UGA football fan’s gameday heaven. In the comfort of being enveloped by red, black and UGA decor, you can prepare for the game with Dooley’s’ appetizing take on tailgate food essentials. Essentials include the ‘Junkyard Dawg,’ a deep-fried hot dog wrapped in bacon and served on a grilled cheese or bun. The kitchen closes at 9 p.m., but the bar is open until 2 a.m.

Allgood Lounge

256 East Clayton St. Allgood Lounge’s website calls this location “the premiere bar and party spot in Athens.” Test the waters on G-Day by experiencing this three-story set up with two full service bars and a third full service ‘Tiki’ bar on the rooftop patio. Entertain your group with a game of pool on its upstairs bar, or watch the G-Day festivities on one of its big screen TVs, which are located on every floor. Allgood is a 21+ bar, as it only offers beer, wine, signature cocktails and shots. It opens at 3 p.m. and closes at 2 a.m. on Saturdays.

Ted’s Most Best

254 West Washington St.

Take on G-Day with the whole family at Ted’s Most Best, which has a large outdoor patio and sandbox for kids to play in while you socialize over Italian food and cold beverages. Its menu features specialty and customizable 10-inch pizzas and calzones, as well as pastas, paninis, sub sandwiches, salads made-from-scratch desserts and more. Pizza dough can be made gluten-free. Its drink menu includes a small selection of red and white wines, as well as beers.

Creature Comforts

271 West Hancock Ave. The Players’ Lounge hosts its second annual G-Day tailgate at Creature Comforts before the game from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Expect appearances from UGA lettermen while enjoying food, beverages, kid friendly games and entertainment, photo opportunities, live broadcast, a raffle and prizes. The first 500 people that join will receive a free drink upon entry. You can attend this free event by creating an account on The Players’ Lounge website; kids do not have to make an account. For $25 you can buy a VIP ticket, which includes a VIP lanyard, a drink ticket, a food ticket, ‘partner swag’ and a raffle ticket.

JESSICA LIN/CONTRIBUTOR

JESSICA LIN/CONTRIBUTOR

KATIE TUCKER/STAFF

JESSICA LIN/CONTRIBUTOR

SIDNEY CHANSAMONE/STAFF

JESSICA LIN/CONTRIBUTOR

JESSICA LIN/CONTRIBUTOR

FILE/STAFF

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