On March 23, Georgia offensive lineman Tate Ratledge and linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. met with the media to debate Thursday’s observe. Listed here are a number of the feedback concerning the place the group is to this point by way of the second week of observe.
Solidifying the offensive line
Via many of the Georgia 2022-2023 season, there was a rotation of offensive linemen, nevertheless only some obtained motion in the entire group’s video games. Nonetheless, with the departure of former beginning tackles Broderick Jones and Warren McClendon for the NFL Draft, the group is looking for new items for the perfect probability at a constant beginning 5. Ratledge commented on what offensive line coach Stacey Searels is searching for this spring.
“I believe certainly one of coach Searels’ objectives is to discover a beginning 5 and discover a backup group that is there’s not a lot drop-off,” Ratledge stated. “And I believe proper now, we do quite a bit the place all people will get loads of reps. So there is not any telling, there’s individuals getting loads of reps each observe.”
Because the group continues to observe, there have been just a few gamers which have caught the attention of Ratledge. Just a few of the youthful guys are profiting from these reps to assist higher their probabilities of taking part in on Saturdays.
“Micah Morris, Dylan Fairchild, they’re each actually spectacular proper now,” Ratledge stated. “Jared Wilson, he is an athlete. Bodily, he is sensible, there’s quite a bit. Monroe [Freeling] got here in. He is athletic. He simply exhibits how athletic he’s. After all, he is bought issues to be taught right here and there, nearly faculty ball. Lots of people got here in and began doing rather well.”
Development within the linebacker core
Final 12 months, Mondon was unable to compete in spring ball as he recovered from shoulder surgical procedure that stored him out. Nonetheless, this 12 months he is available in prepared to make use of these reps to assist replicate the success he had the 12 months prior. He mentioned the implications of working towards this spring in comparison with watching from the sidelines.
“I wasn’t in spring final 12 months. I had shoulder surgical procedure, so with the ability to take part is quite a bit totally different than being on the sideline watching,” Mondon stated. “I believe it is going to assist quite a bit since you solely actually get higher in case you get your reps and expertise. Simply getting these further reps and the scrimmages we’re about to have, I really feel like it is going to assist quite a bit.”
He comes on this 12 months with a further 10 to fifteen kilos to his weight. He reassured the media that the additional weight has not slowed down Georgia’s main tackler from final 12 months as he mentioned the athleticism of the group as an entire.
“I imply, even after I first got here in right here, I really feel just like the linebacker room at all times actually been athletic with Quay [Walker], Channing [Tindall] and loads of the fellows that was right here after I first bought right here,” Mondon Jr. stated. “Versus now me, ‘Pop’ [Jamon Dumas-Johnson], Raylen [Wilson], [Xavian] Sorey and all them. So I really feel like we at all times had an athletic linebacker room.”