Kirby Smart shares impressions from Georgia’s first fall camp scrimmage
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The 2024 college football season was the first since 2018 that the Georgia Bulldogs didn’t record a New Year’s Six bowl victory. Kirby Smart obviously has his sights set on more than a NY6 win in 2025, but he knows there’s a long way to go between then and now.
Smart held a press conference Tuesday morning to recap Georgia’s first fall camp scrimmage. Unsurprisingly, there are some areas where Smart believes his team can improve before the season opener versus Marshall. He didn’t seem keen on his players’ overall execution, but came away happy with the tenacity they demonstrated.
“We didn’t tackle exactly great, which is the first time we really tackled live … I was really pleased with the effort on special teams. I think that’s where we set ourselves apart in scrimmages because we do the special teams within the scrimmage,” Smart said. “We have guys competing for spots on those units, and I thought they competed really hard. So, I was pleased. Some silly procedural penalties both ways, but pleased with the effort of both groups. We’re just not where we need to be yet.”
The Bulldogs are expected to proceed with Gunnar Stockton as their starting quarterback this season. The redshirt junior, like recently named Alabama starter Ty Simpson, hasn’t played much through his three seasons with his school. The bulk of his 83 career passing attempts came in relief of Carson Beck in last year’s SEC Championship game and the ensuing Sugar Bowl matchup against Notre Dame.
Stockton must play well for Georgia to reclaim its throne atop college football. The Bulldogs’ opening home contests will be pivotal proving grounds ahead games against No. 24 Tennessee (Sept. 13) and No. 8 Alabama (Sept. 27). If Stockton shows out, Georgia will compete for a national title once again.
