The Bulldogs will have one final practice on Thursday as they put the finishing touches on the game plan against No. 3 Clemson. Below you can find live updates, injury details and practice news in the lead-up to the first game.
The game will be played in Charlotte and figures to be one of the most anticipated games of the college football season. Georgia enters the game with the No. 5 ranking and Clemson comes in at No. 3.
Quarterbacks JT Daniels and DJ Uiagalelei are poised to play prominent roles for both teams. This will be Daniels’ fifth start for Georgia and the third for Uiagalelei, who both hail from the Los Angeles area.
Georgia football-Clemson live updates, practice notes
Sept 3, 5 p.m.: Georgia has named its captains for the opening game against the Clemson Tigers.
The Bulldogs will have JT Daniels, Nakobe Dean and James Cook represent them as the captains for the game.
“I approach it the same way I’d approach anybody else. It’s another game of football, and I think everyone, Georgia and Clemson, should see it the same way. As big and as cool as this game is, it’s Week 1.”
Georgia also released a hype video for the big-game, with Ernie Johnson providing the voiceover. It will certainly get fans excited for Saturday’s game, which is set for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff.
ABC will broadcast the game.
Sept 2, 10 a.m.: One of Georgia’s unquestioned strengths entering the game against Clemson is the depth at the running back position.
Between Zamir White, James Cook, Kendall Milton, Kenny McIntosh and Daijun Edwards, the Bulldogs have five running backs who all have the potential to impact the game.
Balancing those carries will be a difficult task for Georgia, but it’s a good problem for the Bulldogs to have.
“I feel about our running back room like they probably feel about their defense. You’ve got all these guys back that have played a substantial amount of time,” Kirby Smart said. You’ve got James, Zamir and Kenny seems like he’s an old player now. Kendall got to play, Daijun too. There’s a lot of backs that have done a lot of good things.”
While the Clemson defensive line will certainly garner big attention, the Tigers do have some concerns with regards to the availability of defensive tackle Tyler Davis. If he is unable to play that could make things easier to run the ball for Georgia.
And that would make things much easier for the Georgia offense and the group of running backs.
“You wish you had more positions with the same experience that that position group has,” Smart said. “It certainly would be the position in our team that has the most experience and confidence.”
Georgia will conclude its week of practice on Thursday as it wraps up final preparations for the big game against Clemson. Below are some pictures from practice on Wednesday. Included in pictures are Travon Walker, JT Daniels and Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint.
Sept. 1, 6 p.m.: Georgia wide receivers Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint and Jaylen Johnson are set to speak to the media following practice. Rosemy-Jacksaint will be worth following as it is the first time he has met with the media since suffering a season-ending injury against Florida last season.
- “The chemistry has been great. We’ve all been performing great all season and have a chance to represent Georgia football.” -- Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint on where things are with him and JT Daniels
- “I was told I would be out four to six months. At the time I didn’t think it would be that long. It had been a very tedious process getting treatment every morning. Doing that process really helped me get into the right mental.” -- Rosemy-Jacksaint on recovering from his injury.
- “Just the chance to go out there and play with my teammates. Have fun and play the game with the teammates that I love.” -- Rosemy-Jacksaint on what he’s looking forward to.
- “I just don’t want it to end up like last year.” Rosemy-Jacksaint after struggling with what happened after the Florida game last year.
- “All the young receivers are talented young players. Real physical route-running. I feel like we all have the ability to go out there on Saturday and make a play.” Rosemy-Jacksaint on the young receivers.
- “We’re so deep at the receiver position so if one goes down, the next one can step up.” -- Jaylen Johnson on the injuries at wide receiver.
- “Ladd is a guy that is going to come to work every day. He’s going to give 100 percent in every play and every rep.” -- Jaylen Johnson on Ladd McConkey.
- Jaylen Johnson confirms he’s been put on scholarship.
- “It’s easy to take it for granted. I knew as a walk-on I had a chip on my shoulder everyday.” -- Johnson on no-longer being a walk-on.
- Mark is one of the hardest workers on the team. He kept his head up and kept chopping. I’m excited about the opportunities we have in front of us.” -- Johnson on Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint.
Aug 31, 6:15 p.m.: Georgia coach Kirby Smart is set to speak to the media, along with cornerback Ameer Speed and linebacker Quay Walker. We’ll provide updates as they roll in.
- “Warren Ericson is doing awesome.” -- Kirby Smart on Warren Ericson
- Ladd McConkey, Kearis Jackson, Jermaine Burton as possible punt returner. Says it would probably be Kearis but he hasn’t been fully able to go through everything.
- Mentions Kenny McIntosh, Zamir White and James Cook as kickoff return
- “That is definitely a strong group. They are big, physical, they do a great job going up and getting the ball.” -- Kirby Smart on the Clemson wide receivers.
- “The thing that concerns you is 50-50 balls and being able to block on the perimeter. We put our guys up against tight ends to match them up against the size they’re going to see on the field.” -- Kirby Smart on the concerns about playing against Clemson’s receivers.
- “It has to be coming. If it’s not coming then what are we doing?” -- Kirby Smart on winning a national championship.
- “Experience is just so valuable in those positions,” Smart talking about defensive backs and the offensive line.
- “Dominick has done an incredible job in rehab. It’s been a tough year on him. It’s over a year from the time he’s torn it. He’s gaining confidence in it. I can’t tell you when he’s going to be out there, but he’s close.” -- Kirby Smart on Dominick Blaylock.
- “I feel about our running back room with how they feel about their defense. There’s a lot of back that have done a lot of good things.” -- Kirby Smart on the Georgia running backs.
- “In role’s yes, he’s a three-down player. One of the strongest players I’ve ever been around. There’s just nobody quite like him. He’s worked really hard to improve his quickness. It’s all about can he affect the perimeter.” -- Kirby Smart on Jordan Davis.
- Georgia confirms the Bulldogs will be the away team.
- “Me being a big DB, I’ve always loved going against bigger wide receivers. I think them being big and physical and us having big and physical dbs, it should be exciting.” -- Ameer Speed on Clemson’s wide receivers.
- “I’m really just looking forward to being out there with my brothers. It’s exciting.” -- Speed on the season-opener.
- “Jermaine is a very good receiver and I’m looking forward to him having a day on Saturday.” -- Ameer Speed on Jermaine Burton
- “He plays a huge factor. With how big he is eats up blocks. Whenever JD is in front of me, I don’t have too much to be worried about.” -- Quay Walker on Jordan Davis.
- “I like to call him a big refrigerator in front of me. I just love to have him in front of me.” -- Walker on Jordan Davis
- “Here at Georgia with the system we play in, the two inside linebackers have to be vocal. Whoever is out there has to do their job. That is the assignment we have from coach Schumann and coach Smart.
We’ve also grabbed a couple of pictures from Tuesday’s practice as well.
Aug 30, 7 p.m.: A couple of pictures from practice on Monday. A number of linebackers were featured along with JT Daniels and Jermaine Burton.
While much has been made of the defensive line and the secondary this fall, the Georgia linebackers are a group worth paying attention to with Nakobe Dean, Nolan Smith and Adam Anderson manning the field.
“Other than leading the defense and making all the calls, we have to stay composed,” Dean said. “We have to pay attention to every detail. We have those two things, I feel like the sky is the limit with what we can do.”
Georgia’s defense will be seeing a different offense from Clemson as DJ Uiagalelei steps in for Trevor Lawrence at quarterback and Clemson will be looking for a new running back after Travis Etienne was taken by the Jacksonville Jagaurs.
Aug 30, 11 a.m.: Georgia players will address the media shortly, followed by Kirby Smart after that at noon. The three Georgia players speaking will be tight end John FitzPatrick, linebacker Nakobe Dean and quarterback JT Daniels. We will post live updates from both press conferences as they roll in.
- “Excited about this game. We’ve moved on the Clemson since Wednesday of last week. They’re really talented. Probably one of the best defenses I’ve ever seen in terms of returning. The volume of experience is unmatched.” -- Kirby Smart on the Georgia defense
- “He’s got one of the biggest arms I’ve ever seen.” Kirby Smart on DJ Uiagalelei
- “Much more confident in terms of this year in terms of last year. A lot of that had to deal with no spring. The big thing with JT was getting confidence in that knee and getting it rehabbed.” -- Kirby Smart on the confidence of the Georgia offense and JT Daniels.
- “The concern is who we have to block. So much of the outcome of the quarterback is how the guys around him play. I’m very confident in JT’s preparation up to this point.”
- “Warren Ericson has practiced all of the last two weeks. For the offensive line to get better, they have to go play.” -- Kirby Smart on the offensive line.
- “We’ve never had that many holes to fill. It’ll look very different. Very rarely have we had the lack of experience we’ve had back there.” -- Kirby Smart on the defensive backs.
- “No update other than Arik is still not with us. We’re praying for him each and every day.” -- Smart on Arik Gilbert.
- “I don’t think we’re similar. I don’t think our quarterbacks are exactly the same. Very different type quarterbacks.” -- Smart on the similarities and differences between the two teams.
- “We do both have experience in the front 7. Ours is built to stop the run, they’re a little more twitchy, built to stop the passer. We’ve been better in those categories, but not to their level.” -- Kirby Smart on the differences in the front 7.
- “The hurdle is playing your ex-teammates. It can be tough on you at times. It’s awkward at times. It makes it a little different. He’s got to be able to separate all that and go perform. I’m excited to see him go play.” -- Smart on Derion Kendrick.
- “I think every game is a measuring stick. It’s no different in this game. It’s not going to change how we perform in this game. I don’t think you ever judge things based on one game. Sunday morning we’re going to be worried on our next opponent.”-- Smart on the magnitude of this game.
- “That’s the area I think we can grow the most.” -- Smart on the wide receiver room.
- “Each one of them are doing great. Hopeful both of those guys will be healthy soon.” -- Smart on Darnell Washington and Tykee Smith.
- “I feel great about them. Everybody puts in work on the team. I trust the coaches to put everybody in the right position to make our defense look good.” -- Nakobe Dean on the Georgia defense
- “I was able to get better mentally. That was a bigger thing for me.” -- Nakobe Dean on his performance this spring while limited with a shoulder injury.
- “They definitely have been putting in the work. They have been helping the young guys also.” -- Nakobe Dean on Ameer Speed and Latavious Brini
- “Jordan Davis is probably one of the funniest guys on the team. He handles his business but he can crack a joke and keep things light.” -- Nakobe Dean on Jordan Davis
- “We’re going to prepare for every game like it’s the national championship. It’s going to allow us to do that for the rest of the season. It being the first game of the season, the emotion is going to be high.” -- Nakobe Dean on the first game of the season.
- “I feel like the sky is the limit on the things we can do.” -- Nakobe Dean on the play of the Georgia linebackers.
- “He just came in ready to work. He’s grateful for the opportunity to be here. He’s a guy who really wants to play. The way he bought into the team culture, it seems like he hopped in and was part of us right away.” -- Nakobe Dean on Derion Kendrick.
- “We have a lot of guys I feel comfortable with. Being with just the amount of work we got in the offseason, we have the rapport we’ve been building. There’s no concerns for that for me.” -- JT Daniels on the injuries at wide receiver and tight end
- “Football is the thing here. Just really getting to experience what it’s like and a main focal point of what it’s like. I just really love being here and the way it functions.” -- JT Daniels on the culture change in coming from California
- “Fitz and I are great friends. Having a guy that you know where he’s going to be, not everything comes right in from the sideline. There’s a lot of variables in trying to run the offense and he can fix some of those things.” -- JT Daniels on John FitzPatrick.
- “Really elite defense. I think they’ve really gotten after it. They compete they work and they strain. Everybody that plays on that defense belongs on that defense.” -- JT Daniels on the Clemson defense.
- “It’s a pretty big difference in terms of how I feel coming into week 1 and how the offense looks coming into week 1.” -- JT Daniels on his confidence and comfort level heading into the start of the season.
- “Love DK. Since he’s been here, me and him have talked a lot of trash at practice. Whenever I can I’ll ask him whatever I can in terms of technique and what I see.” -- JT Daniels on Derion Kendrick
- “I’m really excited. I’m excited to attack this practice today. There’s a sense of excitement around the team and locker room.” --John FitzPatrick
- “I’m good to go and excited to contribute through the run game and through the pass game. -- John FitzPatrick downplays foot injury
- “I know the tight end room is ready. Injuries will happen here and there and we’re loaded at tight end top to bottom. We’re excited. -- John FitzPatrick on the depth in the tight end room
- “He’s prepared in walk-throughs and meetings come practice time. He has a swagger, confidence. He leads the team in the right direction.” -- John FitzPatrick on JT Daniels
- “We’re ready for the challenge, we’re excited for the challenge.” -- John FitzPatrick on the Clemson defensive line.
- “I haven’t really been out at all and working with Mr. Ron (Courson) a little bit extra.” -- John FitzPatrick on his foot.
- “I’ve just been giving Brock confidence in himself and giving him the confidence to go make those plays.” -- FitzPatrick on freshman tight end Brock Bowers.
Aug. 28, 11 a.m.: Georgia coach Kirby Smart is set to speak on College GameDay. We’ll post live updates below. The Bulldogs have a key scrimmage later in the day.
- “It ramps it up. When you’re playing a team like Clemson, your team comes ready to play. We’ve seen the energy increase.” -- Kirby Smart on opening up with Clemson.
- “I think everyone is more comfortable. Getting quality depth and getting guys who can play winning football has been the objective of camp. And that’s something we’ve been able to do.” -- Kirby Smart on continuity.
- And Smart answered a total of three questions, one of which was on Smart’s high-dive last month.
- Georgia has begun getting ready for Clemson at this point and will have another practice today to get after it. Smart was asked directly about JT Daniels and didn’t really answer the question. By all accounts, the Georgia quarterback was much better in his second scrimmage.
The Bulldogs will practice today and then again on Saturday in preparation for the opener against Clemson before moving into a normal game week starting on Monday. Following Thursday’s practice, outside linebacker Adam Anderson and kicker Jack Podlesny will speak to the team.
- “I’ve just tried to live my daily life as I have before.” -- Jack Podlesny on his life after hitting the game-winner against Cincinnati.
- “He brings a lot of fire to the team but he leaves the specialists alone.” -- Podlesny
- “It meant a lot. It was always a goal of mine to work my butt off and now I’m here.” -- Podlesny was put on scholarship.
- “Disch is my guy. He’s a good guy and we’re lucky to have him. He’s really smart when it comes to special teams scheme.” -- Podlesny on Georgia special teams analyst Robbie Discher.
- “They’ve got a really good team and we’re trying to prepare the best that we can.”
- “We’re excited. Who wouldn’t be? We get to play in front of hopefully a full capacity stadium that is hopefully full of Dawg fans.” -- Podlesny on playing in front of a full crowd.
- “When you come to the University of Georgia, they’re going to put you in the best position you’re comfortable at. It just depends on different situations. I’m most comfortable putting my hand on the ground.” -- Adam Anderson on playing in the Georgia defense
- “The star position helped me in different aspects. Learn how to play on regular downs and guard certain running backs.” -- Anderson on playing the star
- “When I first came here they were my role models.” -- Anderson on Lorenzo Carter and Leonard Floyd, two similarly built Bulldogs
- “It makes me hungry.” -- Anderson on criticism.
- “Last year was the year we Azeez and I really connected. When you’re an athlete and have the ability to rush and learning some hip technique. When you come to the University of Georgia, there’s always competition.”-- Anderson on playing with Azeez Ojulari.
- “That just keeps you hungry. It teaches you to encourage the players. We’re trying to win. If I don’t help the next person behind me than I’m not helping myself as well.” -- Anderson on the competition.
- “I’m going for 20. If you’re going for something smaller, you’re not really going for it.” -- Anderson on his sack goal this year.
Both teams to this point have had two scrimmages to prepare for the upcoming season. Georgia’s first scrimmage saw the defense have the better day before the offense bounced back in the second scrimmage.
Several position battles have been sorted on the Georgia side, with Tate Ratledge winning the right guard spot and Derion Kendrick emerging as one of the starting cornerbacks.
Related: Georgia football fall practice updates, injury notes and position battles
There are some position battles that have been impacted by injury. For example, the center position is a question after Warren Ericson suffered a hand injury to his snapping hand. He is battling Sedrick Van Pran for the starting spot, though Ericson should be healthy enough to play as he has returned to practice.
With Darnell Washington and Tykee Smith both undergoing foot surgery, freshman Brock Bowers and senior Latavious Brini likely take on bigger roles for the Bulldogs. Georgia also has another tight end, John FitzPatrick, dealing with a foot injury as well.
Several Bulldogs had strong efforts during fall camp including but not limited to: Ratledge, freshman wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, freshman cornerback Kamari Lassiter, redshirt freshmen wide receivers Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint and Justin Robinson, junior running back Kenny McIntosh, junior outside linebacker Nolan Smith.
Georgia football injury report heading into Clemson game
August 30 update: Tight end John FitzPatrick says he is good to go against Clemson. Warren Ericson has been back practicing. Arik Gilbert is still not with the team. Darnell Washington and Tykee Smith are “moving well.”
August 26 update: George Pickens (knee, out), Dominick Blaylock (knee, out), Tykee Smith (foot, doubtful), Darnell Washington (foot, doubtful), John FitzPatrick (foot, questionable), Owen Condon (undisclosed, questionable), Kearis Jackson (knee, probable), Warren Ericson (hand, probable)
What time is the Georgia football-Clemson game
Georgia football takes on Clemson at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ABC.
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