UGA Football Coach Kirby Smart Gives His Thoughts On G-Day Scrimmage
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ATHENS - Georgia Bulldog head coach Kirby Smart, quarterback Gunner Stockton and others break down their 2026 G-Day scrimmage performance...
Opening Statement...
"We had 35 or something new guys going on Dawg Walk that have never gone before. I was excited for them. I thought our fan base was really good out there and had good energy, and that created a little anxiety for our players, which is really good for young players. I'm happy and pleased with the spring overall, I thought our guys got better. We got more reps than we've ever gotten before, in terms of ones, twos, and threes of a full body of work. We got more snaps today than we've had in the spring games in the past. I was pleased with that at the time.”
“We got to play a lot of players today. At times it was sloppy that I got frustrated with, in terms of trying to execute. We had a little hotter day today and our last two scrimmages have been unusually cool. The guys had to push through today but I’m pleased with the progress of the team. We have a lot of youth in this team that continues to grow up. We're going to have a lot of guys that are going to help us next year, excited for the next step. Next step for us is to continue two weeks of weightlifting. We've got a football school, which we do, and it takes guys back through the install."
On Jaden Reddell getting the game's first touchdown...
"Yeah, he had a really good spring. I would say he was probably one of the most explosive and just most improved players. He played twitchy, he played fast and had a chip on his shoulder. We had not seen that before out of him. He probably had three or four incredible plays throughout spring practice. He was really consistent; he's improved blocking. I can't even tell you what he did today, because it's hard to keep up with, but I can tell you that throughout spring, the other 14 practices, he's been great. He's created a lot of competition in that room."
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#14 Gunner Stockton | QB | R-Sr.
On his thoughts of the game…
“I thought it was a good day. It was a chance to go out and play in front of our fans, which is always a great day. I thought we competed and did our best.”
On measuring the success of his game…
“That’s a tough question but I think being able to prepare the right way, go out and have fun, and try to get better every day.”
On areas of growth his was focused on this spring…
“My biggest thing was my footwork and pocket presence, not creating my own pressure. I thought I got a little better at that after the spring.”
#71 Earnest Greene | OL | R-Sr.
On his feelings about the offensive line from G Day...
"Comparing this G Day to other G Days in the past, we've had a little more camaraderie together as a unit...We're playing with less kinks to work out. I don't know if that's because we got some guys last year, and they're returning. They just did a good job this spring with communication and stuff like that."
On what the offensive line has accomplished this spring...
"I feel like the communication aspect of it is really big. I don't know if you all can tell in the plays out there, but we had a few checks that we made two or three times in the same play. We're all on the same path. The right communication aspects led to explosive plays. As long as we make sure we're on the same path and we communicate well, we'll have the special plays."
#7 Lawson Luckie | TE | Sr.
On G-day...
"Yeah, it's different than a game, a real game in the fall, but it's always fun to be back between the hedges playing in front of the fans. It makes it a little different than a scrimmage and more exciting so it's always fun."
On Jaden getting the first touchdown and how he's established himself this spring...
"He's kind of put it all together this spring for the first time. He's been balling. He's been one of our most productive play makers this whole entire spring. Seeing that come together for him as one of my good friends on the team is super exciting"
#19 Justin Williams | ILB. | Jr.
On stepping into a larger role...
"Definitely a lot to get better at. It's time to learn; I'm excited for the opportunity, it was amazing."
On the plays at the line of scrimmage and batting balls down...
"We always emphasize batting balls. Coach Scott calls it the 'Volleyball Drill.' You see the ball in the air, jump up like [it's] a volleyball."
#4 KJ Bolden | DB | Jr.
On working with Khalil Barnes...
"Yeah, he's adjusted real good. He's been coming in every day just trying to learn the play book. He just keeps competing, just getting to learn everybody, know everybody, so just knowing how everybody's playing and how to play around everybody. So, he's going to do a great job around here. He just continues to keep working, getting better."
Quintavius Johnson | OLB | Jr.
On G-day breaking pressure …
“It’s about being better together, being better as a team. Holding our guys up and being there for each other.”
On spring training progress…
“We get better as we go, on and off the field. Make sure our guys are doing it the right way. It’s about getting that standard out there to the transfers, even the young guys in year one and year two that don’t know how it’s supposed to work yet.”
