ATHENS — Mecole Hardman continues to wear the white jersey reserved for Georgia defensive players. But he did it while playing only offense during the media viewing period of Tuesday’s spring practice.
Hardman, still officially a cornerback, was with the wide receivers during the second and third periods of practice, when receivers ran routes and caught passes from quarterbacks.
It was more time that Hardman spent with the offense than Saturday’s media viewing period, when he was with the receivers for one period before returning to defense. The night before, head coach Kirby Smart reiterated that Hardman remained a cornerback, but also reiterated that he will continue to receive time on offense.
On Tuesday, Hardman made several juggling catches, both near the sideline. The second was the more adventurous: Jake Fromm threw an out pass towards the sideline, and Hardman at first tipped it in the air, then turned to his right and hauled it in. (Whether he did so while staying in bounds couldn’t be ascertained, as it was on the far end of the field.)
More notes from practice:
- For whatever reason more than a dozen players were in black jerseys, which is usually reserved for injured players. None of those players – which included tight ends Isaac Nauta and Jeb Blazevich, defensive lineman David Marshall, outside linebacker D’Andre Walker and inside linebacker Monty Rice – had any obvious injuries.
- Receiver Riley Ridley remains out with a foot injury.
- Cornerback Deandre Baker was wearing a red offensive jersey, but was with the cornerbacks as usual.
- The first-team offensive line appeared to be the same, but Pat Allen also appeared to be getting some reps at left guard next to starting left tackle Isaiah Wynn.
- New York Jet and former Georgia player Jordan Jenkins was watching practice, along with now-former Bulldog receiver Reggie Davis.
- Brice Ramsey was back at practice serving as an additional arm during drills.
