ATHENS, Ga — Behold, in all the usual glory, the Georgia football team: elite of the elite, two-time defending SEC champion, expected to contend for a national title. And behold the attention on this same team: not much, to the point of being overlooked, including by many of its fans.

Georgia held its spring game Saturday, and official attendance was 31,012, the lowest-attended spring game of Kirby Smart’s tenure, other than the pandemic-restricted game five years ago. The two upper sections of Sanford Stadium, full a decade ago for Smart’s first G-Day, were empty Saturday.

Part of it was outside factors: The hot weather. The devaluing of spring games throughout college football. Other things to do in Athens, including the annual Twilight bike race. Maybe the middle school Science Olympiad state competition on campus drew some away.

But part of it is the state of things for this Georgia team: No drama. No quarterback competition. No new coordinators. No worries about the program slipping. The drama, it’s assumed, won’t come until December and will revolve around whether this team can break a three-year drought of at least reaching the national semifinals.

But right now? Eh.

“I don’t like drama, so that’s a good thing,” quarterback Gunner Stockton said, smiling.

The best comparison for the current Georgia program might be from another sport but the same state: the Bobby Cox-era Atlanta Braves.

It was just a given that the Braves would be good, and they normally would be, with 11 straight division titles at one point. There would be offseasons when rivals would make more noise, and then spring training would roll around, and Cox would tell reporters (like me): “I like this team.” And sure enough, the Braves would go win the NL East by 10 games.

Then they’d flame out in the postseason, which, to be fair, was a crapshoot, as the expanded College Football Playoff is developing into, to Georgia’s chagrin. But no program has been to the CFP as many times (four) as Georgia in the past five years. And this year’s team is easily preseason top 10.

This can make for a boring spring. The most interesting thing to happen was probably Stockton’s passing being called “dog doo” by former NFL receiver Steve Smith, and Smart shooting back, “Do your homework.” Even that was mild enough that neither was asked about it Saturday, at least specific to Smith. The subject of Stockton airing it out hangs over this team. But it’s a relatively minor issue within a team that seems to have plenty else going for it.

Georgia’s defense, which has been hit or miss the past couple of years, should be back to being very good. There’s the usual array of talent but now also plenty of experience. It won’t be as great as the 2021 version — none will be in this era — but it can be dominant.

Georgia’s offense should at minimum be efficient: Stockton enters his second full season as the starter, has two game-changing tailbacks in Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens, an experienced offensive line and some good pieces at receiver and tight end.

The questions that would take this team from good to great …

Explosive passing

There are two issues here:

1. Georgia lost six of its top seven players in receiving yards and didn’t add a star transfer like it did last year with Zachariah Branch, who set the school record with 81 catches.

2. Stockton was inconsistent throwing downfield. He was fantastic at Tennessee and in the first Ole Miss game. He seemed afraid to air it out in other games, though, including the second Ole Miss game.

On the receiver front, Georgia did add Isiah Canion from Georgia Tech to be an outside, possession-type receiver. Otherwise, Georgia spent its money retaining young receivers — sophomores Talyn Taylor, CJ Wiley, Sacovie White-Helton and Thomas Blackshear — and hoping they pop this year.

Between them, senior receiver London Humphreys and tight ends Lawson Luckie, Elyiss Williams and Jaden Reddell, there might not be a Branch or Brock Bowers, but there are plenty of options.

“They’ve got to grow up,” Smart said. “We’ve got guys that can make plays if given the opportunity. Gunner can get the ball to them.”

Stockton showed he could do that last year — but not every week. He needs to not be tentative or over-reliant on his scrambling ability. To that end, Stockton said he’s working on his pocket presence and footwork. But he also cautioned it’s not just about slinging it downfield all the time.

“Every explosive play isn’t a 50-yard bomb downfield; it’s just getting the ball to your playmakers,” he said. “And I think we’ve got the playmakers to do that.”

It is a deep group. But unless one emerges as a clear No. 1, the way Branch and Bowers were, it will be on Stockton to find the right ones on the right plays. That might make it hard to be explosive every week, even though Stockton said that’s the goal.

“It’s hard to do that,” he said. “But it’s what we’re here for.”

Pass rush

Does everyone remember Trinidad Chambliss scrambling free and hitting game-changing plays in the Sugar Bowl? That wasn’t a one-off. Georgia had the fewest sacks — 20 — in the SEC last year. Sacks might not be the best measure of a pass rush, but that number is still bad and reflected the defense’s weakness.

Will that turn around? One positive is that Gabe Harris Jr. is healthy; Harris was coming on last year as a factor before being hurt in December and could have helped keep Chambliss in check. But spring brought some bad news with an ACL injury to edge rusher Amaris Williams, an Auburn transfer who had a chance to get major snaps. Still, there are options, such as junior Que Johnson, and the secondary could be good enough to buy time for the pass rush.

Smart seems optimistic.

“Pass rush is something that’s done as a group, not just one person,” he said, mentioning linebacker Chris Cole stepping up and defensive linemen doing better at getting a push. “That’s something you always want to get better at, but I’m very pleased at where we are.”

Smart didn’t exactly invoke Cox’s “I like this team.” But he essentially said it. Normally fairly critical, he said there was only one practice this spring, out of 12, that he didn’t like. Otherwise, he loved the team’s approach.

“They enjoy it; they compete,” Smart said.

Left tackle Earnest Greene III is one of the few remaining pieces from the national championship teams. He was a true freshman in 2022. Though not exactly comparing it to that team, Greene sees something about this 2026 version.

“The competitive nature of this team seems a little bit different,” Greene said. “It goes back to the first (spring) scrimmage. Usually, the first scrimmage is more one-sided; the next time, the other side shows up. This year, both scrimmages have been going neck-and-neck at each other. So I can just tell from that we have a real competitive squad.”

So the vibe of this team, Greene was asked, is no drama, but in a good way?

“Yeah, definitely,” Greene said. “You try to have your team be like that every year.”

So far, this Georgia team is pulling it off. But there’s a long way until September.

And then December.

ATHENS — Georgia will hold its annual spring game on Saturday, April 18. Below you can find live updates, the score and rosters for the 2026 G-Day game.

Georgia will have the red team, featuring the first team offense and second team defense, taking on the black team, which will be the first team offense and second team defense.

Georgia football live updates, highlights, roster for 2026 G-Day game

Seventh Drive Black- Red 17, Black 7

Hezekiah Millender completes a short pass to Jeremy Bell for 2 yards. Millender goes back to Bell for a gain of 10 yards. Then, Jae Lamar rushes to the left for 4 yards. Millender is sacked by Khamari Brooks for a loss of 7 yards. On 3rd & 13, Millender passes to Brayden Fogle for 32 yards. Jae Lamar picks up 5 yards on the ground. Team Black picks up the first down on a 7 yard reception by Will Taylor. Then, Bo Walker carries for a 2 yard gain. On the 10 yard line, Jae Lamar picks up 9 yards to put his team on the 1 yard line. Millender keeps for a TD.

Third Quarter

Sixth Drive Black- Red 17, Black 0

Hezekiah Millender completes a short pass to Bo Walker for 4 yards. Then Millender completes another pass to Ethan Barbour for 20 yards. After back to back it to back incomplete passes, Harran Zuriekat in brought in to kick a 48 yard FG which he narrowly misses.

Sixth Drive Red- Red 17, Black 0

Gunner Stockton completes a short pass to Craig Dandridge complete for 8 yards. Stockton attempts to get it to Dandridge again but it is incomplete. Josh Horton receives an offsides penalty which gives team Red the first down. Back to back incomplete passes by Gunner Stockton ends the drive for the Red Team.

Fifth Drive Black- Red 17, Black O

Todd Robinson picks off Ryan Montgomery’s pass intended for Ethan Barbour

Fifth Drive Red- Red 17, Black O

10 Plays 65 Yards, 5:10

The drive begins with a Ryan Puglisi incomplete pass intended for Elyiss Williams and the next play sees another incomplete pass intended for CJ Wiley. Team red picks up the first down thanks to Puglisi’s 32 yards pass to Talyn Taylor. Dwight Phillips Jr see back to back carries for a totaly gain of 3 yards. On 3rd & 7, Chauncey Bowens rushes to the left for 10 yards. On the 20 yard line, Puglisi completes a short pass to Elyiss Williams for 2 yards. Then Ryan Pugli’s pass to Jaden Reddell is good for 16 yards and a first down to put Team Red at the 4. Dwight Phillips Jr rushes up the middle for 3 yards. On 2nd & 1, Dwight Phillips Jr finds the endzone.

Fourth Drive Black- Red 10, Black 0

Ryan Montgomery’s pass intended for Ethan Barbour is incomplete. Dante Dowdell rushes to the left for a gain of 27 yards. Montgomery’s pass to Jeremy Bell is complete for 4 yards. On 2nd & 6, Bo Walker carries up the middle for a gain of 4 yards followed by another Walker carry for no gain. The drive ends after an incomplete pass intended for Talyn Taylor.

Fourth Drive Red- Red 10, Black 0

Chauncey Bowens rushes up the middle for a gain of 4 yards. Ryan Puglisi scrambles to pick up 1 yard. On 3rd & 5, Puglisi’s passed is tipped by Justin Greene.

Third Drive Black- Red 10, Black 0

On the first play, Jeremy Bell rushes for 35 yards but Lincoln Keyes draws a holding penalty. Then, Bell rushes again but there is no gain. On 3rd down, Montgomery’s pass intended for Ethan Barbour is incomplete.

Third Drive Red- Red 10, Black 0

8 Plays, 67 Yards, 4:32

Gunner Stockton’s pas intended for Craig Dandridge is incomplete. Chauncey Bowens breaks loose for an 18 yard rush. After an imcomplete pass intended for Talyn Taylor, Stockton completes a pass to Dwight Phillips Jr for 19 yards. Bowens takes a tackle for loss that brings the Red team back to the 32. Jaden Reddell gets involved with a 23 yard carry. On 1st & 9, Chauncey Bowens rushes up the middle for a gain of 2 yards. The Red Team scores on a 7 yard reception by Jaden Reddell.

2nd Quarter

Second Drive Black- Red 3, Black 0

Ryan Montgomery completes a pass to Kaiden Prothro for 2 yards followed by another pass to Prothro for 7 yards. On 3rd & 1, Bo Walker fumbles.

Second Drive Red- Red 3, Black 0

8 Plays, 67 Yards, 4:40

Stockton completes a pass to Isiah Canion followed by Dwight Phillips Jr carries for a 2 yard gain. Dwight Phillips Jr breaks loose for an explosive run of 15 yards. Then, Stockton completes a pass to Craig Dandridge for 33 yards. On the 16 yard line, Chauncey Bowens picks up 4 yards. Bowens gets the ball on the next play but there is no gain. On 3rd down, Stockton keeps but is short of the 4th down so Peyton Woodring is brought in to kick a 26 yard field goal which he makes.

First Drive Black- Black 0, Red 0

The first play sees an incomplete pass by Ryan Puglisi, intended for Ethan Barbour. Then, Nnmadi Ogboko gets the sack against Puglisi for a loss of 4 yards. On 3rd down Puglisi completes a pass to Jeremy Bell but it is short of the first down.

First Drive Red- Red 0, Black 0

The first play for the red team sees Nate Frazier rush for 5 yards. Then, Gunner Stockton pass to Chauncey Bowens is complete for yards. After an incomplete pass intended for Isiah Canion, Dwight Phillips Jr rushes for 7 yards. On 3rd down, Gunner Stockton keeps but is short of the first down.

1st Quarter

12:45 p.m. ET update: Couple of Bulldogs look like they won’t play today. As Georgia compeltes pregame warmups, wide receiver Sacovie White-Helton, linebacker Raylen Wilson and cornerback Demello Jones were not seen going through warmups. Cornerback Gentry Williams is in a white non-contact jersey, as is linebacker Zayden Walker. Both were dealing with shoulder injuries coming into today.

On the offensive line, Zykie Helton was working as the first-string right guard, with Juan Gaston at right tackle. Jah Jackson is also expected to play with the first-team offensive tackle.

11:30 p.m. ET: Georgia has released the rosters for the 2026 G-Day game. You can see them below.

RED TEAM

0 — Sacovie White-Helton

1 — Talyn Taylor

3 — Nate Frazier 

4 — CJ Wiley

5 — Chauncey Bowens

6 — Isiah Canion

7 — Lawson Luckie

8 — Landon Roldan

10 — Zayden Walker

10 — Elyiss Williams

11 — Darren Ikinnagbon

12 — Ja’Marley Riddle

12 — Ryan Puglisi 

13 — AJ Kruah

13 — Tyler J. Williams

14 — Gunner Stockton

15 — Khamari Brooks 

15 — Ryan Montgomery

16 — London Humphreys

18 — Caden Harris

20 — Dwight Phillips Jr.

22 — Todd Robinson

23 — Tyriq Green

23 — Jaden Reddell

27 — Balke Stewart

28 — Walter Blanchard

28 — Jordan Smith

29 — Isaiah Gibson

32 — Jaylan Morgan

33 — PJ Dean

35 — Elijah Littlejohn

36 — Daniel Okonkwo

38 — AJ Lonon

39 — Will Snellings

41 — Carter Luckie

42 — Nick Abrams II

45 — Terrence Penick

48 — Duncan Carpenter

50 — Cortez Smith

52 — Valdin Sone

55 — Zykie Helton

55 — London Seymour

63 — Dontrell Glover

64 — Jahzare Jackson

71 — Earnest Greene

73 — Juan Gaston

74 — Drew Bobo

82 — Craig Dandridge

82 — Colton Heinrich

91 — Peyton Woodring

92 — Preston Carey

94 — Henry Bates

95 — Nnamdi Ogboko

96 — JJ Hanne

97 — Wade Register

BLACK TEAM

0 — Gabe Harris

1 — Ellis Robinson IV

2 — Thomas Blackshear

2 — Zion Branch

3 — Quintavius Johnson

4 — KJ Bolden

5 — Raylen Wilson

7 — Khalil Barnes

8 — Demello Jones

9 — Ethan Barbour

9 — Chris Cole

11 — Jeremy Bell

16 — Maurice Hayes

17 — Golter Ginn

17 — Amaris Williams

18 — Bryson Beaver 

19 — Hezekiah Millender

19 — Justin Williams

20 — Zech Fort

22 — Donte Dowdell

24 — Braylon Conley

24 — Bo Walker

25 — Jake Bobo

25 — Jontae Gilbert

26 — Micah Bell

26 — Gentry Williams

27 — Rasean Dinkins

27 — Jae Lamar

30 — Terrell Foster

31 — Kyron Jones

31 — Wade Penn

36 — Jackson St. Clair

37 — Ben McElreath

41 — David Lalaian

44 — Jordan Hall

45 — Eli Barrow

46 — Danny Curan

47 — Will Taylor

51 — Malachi Toliver

52 — Michael Uini

53 — Zach Lewis

54 — Waltclaire Flynn

60 — Henry Peagler

65 — Dennis Uzochukwu

66 — Tyreek Jemison

67 — Clinton Barlow

69 — Graham Houston

70 — Daniel Calhoun

72 — Ekene Ogboko

75 — Mason Short

76 — Marcus Harrison

78 — Tate Helms

79 — TyQuez Richardson

80 — Kaiden Prothro

81 — Josh Horton

83 — Brady Holbert

84 — Dallas Dickerson

85 — Chase Linton

85 — Ryan Mosley

87 — Lincoln Keyes

88 — Brayden Fogle

88 — Nasir Johnson

90 — Elijah Griffin

90 — Drew Miller

91 — Justin Greene

94 — Xzavier McLeod

98 — Connor Ferguson

99 — Joseph Jonah-Ajonye

99 — Harran Zuriekat

Georgia will be without a few key players on Saturday, as outside linebacker Amaris Williams and cornerback Ellis Robinson are not expected to play due to injury.

Georgia spring game: How to watch 2026 G-Day online

This game will not be streamed over traditional cable. You can still watch the game if you have a cable subscription to ESPN. Visit the WatchESPN tab on ESPN’s homepage and find the game on either ESPN+ or SECNetwork+. Click here to watch the game.

Below is a video walking through how to watch the game.

Georgia spring game game time for 2026 G-Day

The Georgia spring game starts at 1 p.m. ET.

Georgia spring game TV Network for 2026 G-Day

The Georgia spring game will be broadcast on SECNetwork+/ESPN+.

Georgia spring game radio options for 2026 G-Day

The G-Day scrimmage can be heard loclally on WNGC 106.1, 95.5 WSB and WXKT 103.7. G-Day will also be distributed to all network affiliates and the game will be available on the Georgia Bulldogs app.

Georgia spring game rosters for 2026 G-Day

*These have not been released by UGA yet. This section will be updated as soon as the rosters are available.

WR Ted Hurst

• Height: 6’4”
• Weight: 206 lbs
• Class: Senior
• School: Georgia State
• Hands: 9 ¾”
• Arm length: 32 ⅝”
• 40-yard dash: 4.42s
• 10-Yard Split: 1.55s
• Vertical Jump: 36 ½”
• Broad Jump: 11’3” 
• STATS

An unranked recruit out of Johnson High School in Savannah, Georgia, where he enrolled at Valdosta State and played two years at the small school before transferring to Georgia State in 2024. 

He was a three star recruit in the transfer portal; the 211th wide receiver, and the 1,624th player. Hurst was raised in a military family and his brother, Darrell Myers Jr. was a wide receiver for Valdosta State when they won the 2018 Division II National Championship.  

Hurst dominated the smaller level of competition and caught 61.1% of his contested catches during his two years at Georgia State. He dropped 14 passes (drop rate of 9.7%) and his average yards per reception was 15.4-yards with an 14.8-yard aDot and a 2.18 yards per route run number.

 Hurst had an excellent 2026 NFL Scouting Combine and has quietly been a “sleeper” during the draft process.

Strengths

• Elite size + fluidity combination 
• Solid thickness + muscle definition + excellent AA
• Excellent size/speed/fluidity combination 
• Long strider with IMPRESSIVE acceleration and stop/start
• Has an explosive second gear
• Above-average change of direction + excellent explosiveness on in-breaking routes
• Swift transitions on the vertical plane 
• Quickly gets his numbers back to the QB on curls/comeback 
• Excellent ability to gear down on the vertical plane
• Very good ball skills – tracks and secures deep balls well
• Concentration is great – can pluck away from his frame
• Has acrobatic catch ability 
• Wide catch radius with above-average hands
• Solid YAC ability

Weaknesses

• Limited route tree
• Route nuance and pacing could improve
• Solid YAC ability,  but won’t consistently make NFL defenders miss
• Not much special teams in his past
• Was not used much as a run blocker 

Summary

Ted Hurst possesses a rare blend of size, speed, and fluidity. He has an elite ability to smoothly transition/break on routes within the vertical plane (comeback/curl); he has great hip bend and explodes out of his breaks with above-average suddenness. 

Hurst has traits that any WR coach would love to develop + his ball-skills are great. He’s a developmental option with a high ceiling, but his route running, timing, and ability to consistently beat NFL athletes must be refined and/or proven. He’s a high upside traits pick that may find his way into Day 2.

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GRADE: 6.22

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