5 players to watch at Georgia's spring game 2024
Georgia football's annual spring game, "G-Day," kicks off on Saturday afternoon at Stanford Stadium in Athens, Ga. It's the first time that we will catch a glimpse of the new-look Bulldogs after the team lost several key players to the 2024 NFL Draft and a handful of coaches to other opportunities. G-Day won't be televised, […]
Georgia football's annual spring game, "G-Day," kicks off on Saturday afternoon at Stanford Stadium in Athens, Ga.
It's the first time that we will catch a glimpse of the new-look Bulldogs after the team lost several key players to the 2024 NFL Draft and a handful of coaches to other opportunities.
G-Day won't be televised, though Georgia fans wanting to tune in can stream it on ESPN+ or SEC Network+ with kickoff set for 1 p.m. ET.
There are many new additions that fans will want to get familiar with before fall, but for right now, we're going to look at just five big factor players worth paying closer attention to on Saturday.
QB Gunner Stockton
Carson Beck is back this season to start at quarterback, but Gunner Stockton could be the future of the Bulldogs.
As a redshirt freshman last year, Stockton saw action in four games where he threw for 148 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.
He also stepped in for Beck during Georgia's Orange Bowl win over Florida State, completing 6-of-10 passes for 96 yards with two touchdowns while adding another 46 yards on seven rushes.
According to head coach Kirby Smart, Stockton has grown a lot since then.
"I’ve seen this progression with Gunner that like, he’s getting better each and every practice," Smart told reporters at the start of spring ball. "The bowl practices were great for him. The ability to play in that bowl game was awesome for him. He’s gotten better. He’s getting a feel for our system. He’s a really good athlete.
"He has, every now and then, a mistake you can’t have at that position. The good thing is, you can ask him after the play, and I always ask him what did you see, what was the coverage? He gives the right answer. So he’s seeing the right things. But he’s got to continue to develop and grow. That’s a hard position to play. He’s still trying to master that position."
WR Arian Smith
Speedy wideout Arian Smith is another player Smart has recently raved over.
Due to an injury-plagued career, the redshirt senior only has 20 catches for 539 yards and six touchdowns in four seasons as a Bulldog. However, those numbers are projected to increase significantly in 2024.
Now that Smith is reportedly fully healthy, there's a chance he will be used as a top target following a standout spring.
"He’s had some plays that I think he’d be the first to tell you he wished he had back — intermediate routes and deep routes — and he’s had some big plays, too," Smart said of Smith. "I’m pleased with where Arian is. I hope he keeps getting better and keeps growing and trying to be an explosive playmaker for us.”
LB Justin Williams
As a five-star prospect and No. 1 linebacker in the county, Justin Williams made history as the highest-ranked linebacker to commit to Georgia last year.
Because of his insane athleticism and high IQ, Williams has a real shot to start this year as a freshman, though he'll have to continue to compete with CJ Allen and Raylen Wilson through summer camp.
As a senior at Oak Ridge High School in Texas, Williams racked up 108 tackles, including 36 for loss, with 9.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles and three interceptions.
S KJ Bolden
After landing the best linebacker in the country, Georgia was also able to snag the best safety in K.J. Bolden, who flipped his decision from Florida State and signed with the Bulldogs instead.
“We were consistent with KJ, the recruitment never stopped, and I told him that from the day he committed to the day he came to us, we’re not going to stop recruiting him, because we think he’s a great kid from a great family and a really, really good football player,” Smart said. “He and Ellis [Robinson] have a chance to make us much better in the day and age of college football where you better have depth and players. When these guys leave, they’re going to have opportunities to play."
While Georgia is looking to use Bolden in their secondary, he's also a talented pass catcher.
Bolden racked up 33 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 3 pass breakups during his senior year at Buford High School in Georgia. As a junior playing at wide receiver, he reeled in 30 receptions for a team-leading 663 yards and 14 touchdowns.
RB Trevor Etienne
Trevor Etienne may not see the field on Saturday following his DUI arrest last month, but if he does, then all eyes will be on the Florida transfer
Etienne is projected to start at running back for the Bulldogs this fall, though his situation could delay that.
Before coming to Georgia, Etienne appeared in 24 games for the Gators, logging 249 carries for 1,472 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also reeled in 30 receptions for 238 yards and another touchdown.
Georgia Bulldogs injury report ahead of G-Day, 4/10/24
Looking into where Georgia stands on the injury front ahead of its spring game.
