Post Scrimmage Press Conference

UGA Sports Communications
The Dawgs held a two-and-a-half-hour scrimmage in Sanford Stadium on Saturday afternoon in preparation for the annual G-Day intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday, April 21. This marked Georgia’s 12th of 15 practices this spring with the next one scheduled on Tuesday.

The following are excerpts from head coach Kirby Smart’s post-practice press briefing:

Opening Statement:

We are a week away from G-Day and we are certainly excited for what forecasters are suggesting will be a great weather day and we are challenging our fans to come out. There is no greater ability to challenge our team and younger players than to put whatever the maximum number of fans the stadium will seat right now in there. Our fans have been incredible this season and they’ll have the chance to come out and see our players, our early enrollees come out and compete. As far as today, it was a good spirited scrimmage. We didn’t have anyone injured, which is good since we have had some guys who have been down. We tried to test the defense by running the ball more and I thought the defense had one of their better defenses are far as stopping the run. The offense kind of dominated the third down situations. So it was kind of a seesaw effect and it made it a competitive scrimmage.

Did D’Andre Swift play in the scrimmage?

He went in the warmups and in some of the 7-on-7 play but didn’t get to go in the scrimmage. He’s been practicing every day doing pass protection, some routes and as much as he can do. But he has not been doing full live tackle. We are not sure if he will play (in G-Day).

Did the quarterbacks and the offense have a good day in the scrimmage?

I don’t know what you call a good day. Third down was good, we probably weren’t as efficient in the quick game. But we had some big explosive plays and overall I thought we were very balanced. The quarterbacks did some good things. Some of the wideouts continue to grow and develop. I think the biggest thing we see with the wideouts is their development in the special teams. Special teams were foreign (Jeremiah) Holloman last year, I don’t think he had ever played it. This year, he’s playing fast with confidence and he’s really helping us in a special teams role.

Are y’all changing anything up in regards to the new kickoff rule (fair catches anywhere inside the 25-yard line resulting in touchbacks and the football being placed at the 25-yard line)?

We are not changing anything. We are going to prepare for it. Higher, shorter kicks will be fair caught. All the kicks we don’t think we will get to the 25, we will fair catch. So it’ll depend on what type kicker we are facing.

How has Matt Landers progressed?

He’s actually got a hand injury he’s dealing with. He has a hard cast on a thumb sprain right now but he made a couple big plays today. He’s developing well, just has to continue to work on his toughness. He’s a big guy who is a hard matchup for the defense. He made an explosive play today, he just has to be more consistent in his play and in his leadership. I do think Matt is progressing and has gotten better.

What is the status on Jarvis Wilson?

He’s dinged up right now. He has a foot sprain from the last scrimmage and we don’t know how long he will be out.

How do you feel like the nine early enrollees have done this spring and does anyone stand out?

It’s hard to say. I’m proud of each one of them because I think it’s one of the hardest things to do. It’s different when you come in with 20 guys in the fall and you can go and commiserate with each other back at the dorm. These guys have been embraced by the rest of our team, but they are by themselves and going against big-league people and none of them look out of place. Everyone but Divaad Wilson and Zamir White are out there competing like they have been here the whole time. The three offensive linemen are in there working with the second team, Brenton Cox is in there with the first team on pass rush. I think it was really important for us to get those guys in early.