The Georgia Bulldogs' G-Day spring football game ended with the red team defeating the black team 27-17. Key takeaways include the impressive depth of the tight end room and standout performances from several players.
Key points
Georgia Bulldogs won their G-Day spring game 27-17
The game showcased starters and intriguing backups for next season
Georgia's tight end room is expected to be elite this season
Todd Hartley has recruited eight top tight ends since 2023
14 personnel may be used more frequently by Georgia
The Georgia Bulldogs' G-Day spring football game wrapped up on Saturday, April 18, with the red team (first-string offense) winning 27-17 against the black team (first-string defense). It was a day to give Georgia fans a look at the starters for next season, along with a few intriguing backups. Overall, it was a much-needed day of reps for Georgia, and many interesting narratives emerged from it.
Georgia's TE room is going to be elite this season
Georgia tight end coach Todd Hartley has done a phenomenal job in constructing Georgia's tight end room. Since 2023, Hartley has recruited eight tight ends who were top five from their class.
This season, the tight end room looks like it's all going to come together. Kaiden Prothro already looks like a game-changer, Elyiss Williams and Ethan Barbour are beasts at run blocking, and Lawson Luckie should get more snaps in the passing game as he replaces Oscar Delp. Jaden Reddell improved tremendously as well.
With Georgia's tight end depth, some are even calling for the team to line up in 14 personnel (one running back, four tight ends) more often. All the tight ends in the room got the chance to shine, and they all delivered. It remains to be seen if anyone of them can be as dominant as Brock Bowers was, but Georgia has a lot to work with in the TE room.
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Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Hezekiah Millender (19) looks downfield during the Georgia Spring football game at Sanford Stadium.
Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Hezekiah Millender (19) looks downfield during the Georgia Spring football game at Sanford Stadium.
Speaking of loaded rooms, the Georgia quarterback room looked solid. While Gunner Stockton was great, and all of them showed flashes, there was one Georgia backup that stood out the most: Hezekiah Millender.
On G-Day, he had some great throws, including a strike to Brayden Fogle, another potentially great Georgia tight end. Georgia fans might have to wait until 2027 to see Millender fight for the starting job, but with his showing on G-Day, fans should get to know him.
The former three-star Boise State flip from the class of 2025 is super underrated. With Georgia hunting for big-game recruits to replace Gunner Stockton in 2027 or 2028 (Jared Curtis, Elijah Haven), not many Georgia fans knew about Millender.
When Georgia acquired Kentucky running back Dante Dowdell from the transfer portal, fans were expecting a power back to complement Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens. At G-Day, he showed that and more.
This comes with a disclaimer that Frazier suffered an ankle injury during G-Day, but Dowdell was excellent. He showed great power and great hurdling ability too.
Historically, Georgia has dominated by having multiple options in the running game, and with Frazier, Bowens, and Dowdell looking awesome, Georgia's running game looks tough to stop yet again.
Tyriq Green got his moments
Georgia freshman defensive back Tyriq Green took advantage of an injury as well. Ellis Robinson IV was out of G-Day with a leg injury, giving Green a chance to show his stuff as a defensive back. He had an awesome pick at the end of the game.
Green has earned praise throughout training camp for his coverage instincts. With Georgia's secondary being relatively young, and Green's versatility, don't be surprised if he gets an extended look at a spot, similar to Dominick Kelly last season.
Clemson Tigers safety Khalil Barnes (7) breaks up a pass to Georgia Bulldogs tight end Oscar Delp
Clemson Tigers safety Khalil Barnes (7) breaks up a pass to Georgia Bulldogs tight end Oscar Delp
Georgia brought in a lot of new pieces in the secondary this offseason. Smart likes his secondary to be deep to see how they will pan out when given a starting role. The Bulldogs also have a quandary at the STAR spot with Joenel Aguero transferring.
However, during the scrimmage, Khalil Barnes was a primary starter at STAR. The incoming Clemson transfer has a ton of experience at nickel with the Tigers. Therefore, despite many assuming Rasean Dinkins would take the spot, it looks like Barnes will be the guy to start this season.
"He's smart and instinctive, veteran football player, played a lot of snaps," Georgia coach Kirby Smart said on Barnes. "So, he's been a day one guy that can go out there and play."
Dinkins will fight with Zion Branch for the strong safety spot. Ja'Marley Riddle should be a name to watch once he recovers from injury, but competition breeds excellence, and it showed at G-Day.
