Emptying The Notebook: Next several days crucial to Georgia’s season

We’re just a little over two weeks before the start of the 2024 season and Georgia will be wrapping up camp on Saturday with it’s second and final preseason scrimmage. The Bulldogs have practices and walkthroughs leading up to that scrimmage and they’ll get after it maybe two or three more times before they start getting ready for Clemson. Big days are ahead and DawgsHQ offers some intel and opinion heading into a crucial stretch.

Georgia has it’s backup QB…

I know this isn’t earth-shattering but the No. 2 quarterback job belongs to Gunner Stockton barring something completely unexpected. I’ve had multiple sources tell me in the past 24 hours that Stockton has had a good champ and that it’s clear that he’s the most capable reserve right now. That could change over the course of the season but based on conversations with those I trust, I think it’s unlikely.

I’ve heard good things about both Jaden Rashada and Ryan Puglisi . In terms of raw arm talent, they’re up there. They’re both good athletes who flash and have potential. Stockton just has a much better grasp on the offense, as expected.

Still like Georgia’s RB situation…

I’m not sure what to make of the Roderick Robinson toe injury. The vibe I got from Kirby Smart was that the injury isn’t serious but I’ve been told by more than one person that Robinson might miss the next couple of weeks. I’ve heard enough since publishing some injury intel yesterday to say that I look at Robinson as questionable for the season opener.

With that said, I do believe Trevor Etienne will play in the opener. That’s not based on intel but I’m piecing together what we know. With the DUI charge dropped in that whole deal, I believe he’ll play but not start. Wouldn’t it be something if Branson Robinson got the start? What a story. I continue to hear good things about him and Nate Frazier is the real deal. I’m not sure how much trust he has earned with his knowledge of the offense and ball security, but I’ll be surprised if he isn’t playing meaningful snaps in game one.

I’m also told that Georgia really likes Chauncey Bowens . I don’t know if he’ll factor in. It’s possible if Rod Robinson misses the opener but everyone needs to be prepared for Cash Jones to get on the field as well.

Wideout buzz…

In talking with folks over the past week, I’ve heard three names at wideout plus one Rusty mentioned on DawgsHQ PLUS on Tuesday. London Humphreys name has come up a few times. He is playing faster with a stronger understanding of the offense. Anthony Evans continues to make some noise and I’m told that he’s splitting time between slot and Z-receiver, learning both positions. Dominic Lovett ‘s name comes up almost every time I talk to someone about the offense. He’s having a very consistent camp and Rusty brought up Nitro Tuggle recently.

Georgia’s ideal offensive line…

There was some talk on The Dawg Walk earlier this week about Georgia maybe being better off if Tate Ratledge plays center whether Jared Wilson is ready to start the season or not. I really don’t think that’s where Georgia is at it’s best and there are a couple of reasons. Wilson still has a lot more reps that Ratledge does both in practice and in games. He’s also a more athletic football player who is going to be able to work up to the second level and pull out in space.

As for Wilson’s healthy, I do think there’s a chance he’s back out there in Georgia’s second scrimmage. I can guarantee you he won’t get a full load of snaps but it wouldn’t surprise me if he gets some work.

Good news on the defensive line…

Warren Brinson should be back in full “soon” according to a source I spoke with recently. I haven’t heard much from the past couple of practices but his work load has been increasing over the past week or so.

I asked a source specifically about the defensive line on Wednesday and which first-year d-lineman is the most ready to play. The answer I got surprised me because I was told that each of them have had good camps and it’s a pretty tight race with the defensive ends and the interior guys. I thought Jordan Thomas was ahead on the interior based on what I had heard early in camp, but it sounds like both Nasir Johnson and Nnamdi Ogboko of turned it on some. It’s the same at defensive end with Joseph Jonah-Ajonye and Justin Greene have been impressive. I’m getting the feeling that a few of those guys might get a taste in game one.

More good news at linebacker…

Smael Mondon is either very close to or already full speed and that’s a very good thing. I’ve mentioned this on the board but Georgia had a very detailed plan on how they were going to work him back in and I’m told he looks fresh and fast right now.

CJ Allen is dealing with a lower leg injury but I keep hearing that, as of right now, it’s not much of a threat to the start of his season. It will, however, impact his conditioning and knock him out of some important reps. I still think there’s a very good chance he’s with the first-team Georgia defense in the opener.

I’ve had the toughest time wrapping my head around the emergence of Quintavius Johnson . I didn’t hear a word, good or bad, this spring. There was nothing as Georgia went through it’s summer workouts. Then the first couple of days of camp were quiet. Once Georgia put the pads on, the buzz started and it has only picked up since. If he finishes camp like he has practiced for the past 10 days or so, he’s gonna play in the opener.

Georgia must grow in the secondary…

I’ve gone back and forth over the Georgia secondary this preseason as I’ve heard from those close to the program. There have been days with major struggles and there have been others where they made it really, really tough on the offense. I think this group is going to grow the most throughout the season and here is why.

The preseason has been heavy on competition in the secondary. Each of those guys are becoming better players and they’re learning their positions. The coaches are getting a good read on how ready they are but that unit won’t jell until they start preparing together on specific opponents. I believe that’ll be big for that group.

Right now I believe Dan Jackson is in line to start at safety vs. Clemson. I predict that Joenel Aguero is going to hold off a push from JaCorey Thomas at STAR. At cornerback, that job is still very much unsettled per everything that we’ve been hearing. Daniel Harris , Julian Humphrey and Ellis Robinson are all battling hard with Harris and Humphrey slightly ahead right now.

The post Emptying The Notebook: Next several days crucial to Georgia’s season appeared first on On3 .