Dawgs Mark Ninth Practice Of Camp

UGA Sports Communications

The Georgia football team returned to the Woodruff Practice Fields on Monday, logging two hours in full pads as temperatures remained in the 90s.

This marked the ninth preseason session for the Dawgs. Georgia will return to practice on Tuesday, then have the day off on Wednesday as fall semester classes begin.

The Dawgs will open the 2019 season August 31st at Vanderbilt.

Representatives from both sides of the ball spoke to media members after practice. The players included tight end Charlie Woerner, offensive tackle Andrew Thomas, defensive back Mark Webb, and outside linebacker Walter Grant.

Webb, a junior from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, arrived at Georgia as a receiver, then switched early his freshman year to the defensive backfield. He has seen action in 27 games for Georgia, primarily on special teams, though he did start against Middle Tennessee State in 2018. Webb now has himself in line for even more significant snaps in 2019.

“It was kind of rough from the start, but it’s gotten smoother as time has gone on,” Webb said. “I understand the journey that I’m on and I see what Coach Smart has in store for me. It was rough, but I’m getting to the right place. … I wasn’t used to the defense, especially our defense. It’s very complicated and that was a big change for me, but I never second guess the move. Coach Smart has a plan for me.”

Woerner, a senior from Tiger, was reminded that Smart used terms like “a little lethargic” and “not the temperament or enthusiasm that I expected” to describe Saturday’s scrimmage. Asked for his take on that, Woerner said, “I think we let the heat get to us a little bit. It was pretty hot out there, but we should be used to that. We’ll have to pick it up for the scrimmage this Saturday. … It’s all mental. A big part of beating the heat is getting your mind right. You can’t succumb to the heat. You put on the pads and the helmet and add 15 pounds, and you’ve got to fight through it.”

Woerner also was asked about being the elder statesmen in the tight ends room.

“I’ve been leading the guys and helping them do what they need to do like learning the playbook,” Woerner said. “They’ve all done a great job. It really is a good group.”