Following Georgia football’s spring game, reactions are flooding in.
Following Georgia Football’s Spring Game, Reactions Are Flooding In
Saturday’s spring game at Sanford Stadium gave Georgia fans a long-awaited look at the 2025 edition of the Bulldogs, and the reactions are coming in fast from all corners of the college football world. With returning veterans, promising newcomers, and a dominant showing by the defense, Georgia’s G-Day intrasquad scrimmage delivered plenty of takeaways, debate, and excitement for what lies ahead.
The Red team, led by returning starter Carson Beck, edged the Black team 24–17 in a game that featured several standout plays, emerging stars, and a loud crowd of over 60,000 fans. But the final score wasn’t the story—it was the flashes of potential, lingering questions, and renewed expectations surrounding a program hungry to return to the College Football Playoff.
Carson Beck Looks Comfortable, Confident
Carson Beck entered the spring as the undisputed QB1, and he showed why on Saturday. The senior quarterback completed 18-of-26 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns, showcasing command of the offense, excellent ball placement, and improved decision-making.
His chemistry with returning receivers like Dominic Lovett and Rara Thomas stood out, while freshman tight end Landon Drake also caught a touchdown in the red zone. Fans and media alike praised Beck’s poise in the pocket and ability to stretch the field vertically—an area of growth the Bulldogs have prioritized.
“Carson’s looking like a pro,” one fan posted on X. “That offense is about to be dangerous.”
Head coach Kirby Smart echoed those sentiments in his postgame remarks.
“Carson continues to grow into a leadership role,” Smart said. “His decision-making was strong today. He’s showing more confidence and control.”
Defense Dominates the Trenches
If there was any doubt that Georgia’s defense would remain elite in 2025, those doubts were erased Saturday. The defensive front, led by junior Mykel Williams and senior Nazir Stackhouse, wreaked havoc on the Black team’s offensive line. Williams recorded two sacks and multiple pressures, living in the backfield and reminding everyone why he’s projected to be a first-round pick in next year’s NFL Draft.
Linebackers Smael Mondon Jr. and CJ Allen also shined, flying to the ball and keeping the run game in check. Georgia’s depth at linebacker is a luxury few programs can match, and it was on full display in the spring game.
Fans were especially excited about early-enrollee safety Jadyn Hardy, who came down with a diving interception and added four solo tackles. His instincts and quick reaction time already have him penciled into Georgia’s two-deep rotation.
“Hardy is going to be a star,” one fan wrote. “Reminds me of Malaki Starks as a freshman.”
The Freshmen Make Noise
Georgia’s 2025 recruiting class was ranked No. 1 in the nation, and several true freshmen wasted no time showing why.
Running back Bo Walker, a five-star out of Florida, stole the show in the second half. Walker broke off a 45-yard touchdown run where he shed a tackle, juked a linebacker, and outran two safeties to the end zone. The crowd erupted as Walker flashed the kind of speed and agility that has coaches drooling.
“He’s special,” Kirby Smart said postgame. “He’s picking things up quickly and doesn’t shy away from contact.”
At receiver, Trent Mallory, a top-50 national recruit, added three catches for 52 yards and made a spectacular sideline grab on a back-shoulder throw from backup QB Gunner Stockton.
It’s still early, but several of Georgia’s incoming freshmen look poised to earn significant snaps this fall.
Backup QB Battle Heats Up
With Carson Beck firmly entrenched as the starter, all eyes were on the battle for the backup quarterback spot. Gunner Stockton and redshirt freshman Ryan Puglisi both saw extended action and showed flashes.
Stockton went 12-for-20 for 170 yards and one interception, while Puglisi finished 8-for-13 for 95 yards and added 30 rushing yards. While Stockton currently holds the edge, Smart noted that both quarterbacks are progressing and will continue to push each other throughout the summer.
“We’re fortunate to have depth and competition,” Smart said. “They both did some good things, and we’ll keep evaluating.”
Reactions from Around the Country
It wasn’t just Georgia fans paying attention to G-Day. National analysts tuned in and were quick to praise the Bulldogs’ depth and discipline.
ESPN’s Greg McElroy said during a post-scrimmage segment, “Georgia might be deeper now than they were in 2021. The talent on both sides of the ball is overwhelming.”
247Sports analyst Steve Wiltfong tweeted, “Georgia’s young guys are SEC-ready right now. That’s the sign of an elite culture.”
Meanwhile, SEC rivals were keeping tabs as well. Tennessee fans on message boards noted the dominance of Georgia’s defense, with one user writing, “If Beck stays healthy, they’re going to steamroll a lot of teams.”
What Still Needs Work?
Despite the many positives, Georgia has areas to clean up. The offensive line rotation looked unsettled at times, with a few blown assignments and false starts. Smart addressed the need to build chemistry in the trenches as a top offseason priority.
“I didn’t like our tempo early on offense,” Smart said. “We’ve got to communicate better up front, especially with some of the younger guys.”
Special teams also had an uneven day. A missed 42-yard field goal and a muffed punt highlighted some lingering questions about the placekicking and return units.
The Road Ahead
With the spring game in the books, Georgia now turns its attention to summer workouts, player-led practices, and finalizing its depth chart heading into fall camp. The Bulldogs will open the 2025 season with a marquee non-conference matchup against Clemson in Atlanta, a game that could have early Playoff implications.
“We’ve got the pieces,” Carson Beck said after the game. “Now it’s about staying hungry and doing the work every day.”
