Georgia spring game 2018: Players and storylines to watch
The Georgia Bulldogs played in the National Championship Game last season, and their road back to those heights starts with the 2018 spring game.
People understood that Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs were going to be a force last season. What they didn’t seem to comprehend was just how good the team would actually be. The boys from Athens didn’t waste any time putting it on display, however, as they made it all the way to the National Championship Game.
Despite Jake Fromm having to take over for Jacob Eason in the first game of the season at quarterback, Georgia never looked back. In fact, they had Alabama on the ropes on the title game until Nick Saban worked his voodoo, Jedi mind tricks at quarterback and came roaring back. Even still, Smart and the Dawgs proved they’re for real.
Now they head into 2018 with new faces on both sides of the ball ready to takeover. With Smart at the helm for Georgia though, the talent pool may have never been as deep as it is now. There are high-level recruits throughout the roster and guys ready to make an impact and keep the Dawgs in the mix of the national conversation.
With that in mind and the Georgia spring game nearing on Saturday, April 21, let’s take a look at what to watch for on Saturday.
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Players to Watch
Tyrique McGhee, CB
There’s a hole at cornerback for the Bulldogs in their first-string defense. Coming into the spring game, it will likely be Tyrique McGhee holding down that spot and looking to retain it. However, with prized 5-star freshman Tyson Campbell heading to Athens, McGhee will have to put forth on heck of a performance to fully lock down the position.
Justin Fields, QB
Speaking of highly touted freshman for the Bulldogs, Justin Fields comes in as a 5-star and the top-rated dual-threat quarterback recruit in the country. And while Jake Fromm was great for UGA last season, Fields is the type of dynamic player that can push anyone to be better — or push for his own time as the starting quarterback. How much that starts on Saturday will be fascinating to see.
Monty Rice, LB
Roquan Smith was an absolute animal for the Georgia defense. His sideline-to-sideline speed in addition to his ability to diagnose plays was matched by literally no other linebacker in the country. Now that he’s gone to the NFL though, Kirby Smart has to replace him and Monty Rice figures to be the guy who will try to do so. Expecting him to be Smith is just plain silly, but seeing how much of a bea that the defense misses with the change is worth watching.
Storylines to Watch
Is there a QB competition?
As stated when talking about Fields, it’s likely going to be Fromm’s job at the start of the season. After all, he did lead the Bulldogs to the National Championship Game one season ago. However, there is the recipe for a QB competition this offseason. Fromm isn’t a perfect player and Field is ridiculously electric. If the former should struggle in the spring game on Saturday, you could hear stronger rumblings start to emerge.
Replacements on the defense
Like we said about Monty Rice replacing Roquan Smith, there are big-time players that must be replaced throughout the Georgia defense. From Smith to Lorenzo Carter to Davin Bellamy to Trenton Thompson to Dominick Sanders, it’s a murderer’s row of who’s now gone. Thus, seeing how this new defense coalesces will be something to watch for early on.
Next: Biggest question facing every Top 25 team in spring camp
Wide receiver shakeout
Riley Ridley showed his potential at wide receiver in the title game. Meanwhile, there are other players like JJ Holloman, Matt Landers and Trey Blount that could all play big roles at receiver for the Dawgs this season. But what’s interesting is that the pecking order is far from set following Javon Wims’ departure. As such, the spring game could be key in helping determine just that.