Kirby Smart's strong statement on the Georgia Bulldogs spring practices sparks concerns, but there's a silver lining
The Georgia Bulldogs of 2025 are going to have to rely on several new and young players in key spots this college football season. We have been talking about this at A to Z Sports for quite some time this spring, and Kirby Smart himself confirmed it again as he talked through some of the […]
The Georgia Bulldogs of 2025 are going to have to rely on several new and young players in key spots this college football season. We have been talking about this at A to Z Sports for quite some time this spring, and Kirby Smart himself confirmed it again as he talked through some of the early struggles in spring practices so far this year.
When spring practices opened Kirby Smart made it clear that the entire team needed to come with passion, fire, and energy. And while many of the players certainly brought all three, the results just haven't met the Georgia standard (or anywhere near it apparently) just yet.
When Kirby Smart was asked this week following a team scrimmage about how things went and who stood out, he started things off with a pretty strong, but simple statement: "We've got a long way to go. That was consensus."
"We've got a long way to go. That was consensus…I know you're asking [about] who did well, who did this, who did that, [but] that's really not important right now. It's more important that we can execute a play on offense and defense. We have got more new people in new positions than in the 10 years I've been here. And every year that has probably ratcheted up a little bit. But it is to the point where you almost have to start like no one knows anything. Make no assumptions. Don't assume anything. And start all over and go ground up…[The scrimmage] was not what it needed to be."
Kirby Smart went on to discuss the mistakes and miscues on both sides of the ball for a bit, but there was a silver lining (and perhaps a few of them, really). Despite all the issues, a few key players have been stepping up as leaders, learning, pushing through injuries, and setting an example as this year's Georgia team tries to find its identity.
Both Branch brothers (transfers this offseason) in Zachariah (WR) and Zion (DB) have been embracing the system, the challenges, and both seem quite capable of leadership roles on the team. That's exactly what fans like to see from Transfer Portal talent with some experience.
"[Zachariah Branch and his brother Zion] are not like freshmen because physically they're both way past [that]. They're both physically developed. They're both really good athletes. But the mental part, they're working through that [learning] curve–look we're in practice number 10–and I've seen this before. We've had many a guy come through here and they get it with each and every practice. [Zachariah] has extreme quickness and he's an explosive playmaker that we've got to find ways to get him the ball."
Zachariah Branch is likely going to be leaned upon in a pivotal role for the offense as possibly the most explosive receiving weapon on the team, so it's good to hear he's coming along. But it makes sense that he and the whole offense is still making mistakes at this point. The team is still gelling together with a ton of youth and transfers.
If both Branch brothers continue growing into leaders for the team this spring, earning it with their play and work ethic, that should mean great things for the direction this Georgia team is headed this fall.
Coach Smart also talked highly about the development of veteran defensive back Joel Aguero. Despite the team bringing in three transfer defensive backs to compete with him, Kirby Smart said it seems like Aguearo doesn't care about that at all. He continues to be more vocal, leading, and improving with each practice, not even thinking about Georgia's staff bringing in three transfer defensive backs.
The toughness of veteran offensive lineman Earnest Greene was also notable as he's working hard, playing through a dislocated finger (that he has clubbed). It's clear that the key core of the team and culture is still right where it needs to be with Georgia.
The fact that the team "has a long way to go" with spring practices already near their conclusion may seem concerning to Bulldogs fans, but there's still plenty of time. And this isn't the first time Kirby Smart has had to work with a lot of new faces in new places. The Georgia Bulldogs should be able to get right where they need to be by the time games begin in the fall.
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We'll be back with more Georgia Bulldogs coverage here at A to Z Sports soon! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!
And if you want to watch the full interview with Kirby Smart from this week just check out the video from the Georgia Bulldogs below.
