Georgia
The recruits have shared 5-star reviews of Georgia football spring practice
This Sentell’s Intel rep on Georgia football recruiting shares an overview of what recruits have told DawgNation about spring practice so far this month.
Recruits can get a 5-star ranking. That’s the same set of evaluation criteria that was often used for hotels, movie reviews and restaurants, among other things.
When it came to the big screen, the 5-star ranking for a movie was reserved for the elite. Those were the masterpieces.
That’s a convenient connection here with what DawgNation has heard from the elite recruits who have visited Georgia football practices so far this month.
They are very much like a focus group invited in for a private screening of the 2026 Georgia football team.
While DawgNation has to wait for G-Day to get their first looks, several prospects have now seen UGA for multiple practices, including back-to-back sessions. Not even Magill Society members have seen that much of the Dawgs.
What are they saying? What were their movie reviews? Here’s a listing of several breakout quotes we’ve heard so far.
We were listening for the stuff that would have been at the top of all those movie theatres at the Cineplex.
The program culture at the UGA “Pro Day” workout
“That was the underlying thing you saw today. All the other Dawgs that have already been able to succeed, then want to see the next ones go.”
— 3-star OT commit Ty Johnson (Mount Pleasant, SC)
Does the physicality of spring practice at UGA stand out?
“100 percent. I feel like Georgia is just different. The way they run stuff. The aggression they play with. The tempo they play with. I feel like all of that leads up to the game. I think a cool thing Coach Smart does, and he really emphasized it, is giving everyone reps. Giving freshmen reps. Giving a fifth-year senior reps. He’s a big big coach on just getting people reps.”
“I think that’s a big reason why Georgia develops so well because they play everyone. You can’t get better if you’re on the sideline watching and I think that’s why Georgia emphasizes getting people on the field. That’s why they’ve been so successful over the past couple of years.”
— 4-star OL Jimmy Kalis (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
“Georgia’s practice is like no other I’ve seen. They were hitting like they had pads on and they didn’t have any pads on. That’s just straight development at its finest.”
— 3-star IOL Elijah Morrison (Dacula, Ga.)
“I watched a kid on a one-on-one rep. I saw one of their O-lineman slam the D-lineman to the ground and I was like ‘I want some of that’ and ‘I want some of that work’ because it was crazy to see.”
— 4-star DL Karlos May (Birmingham, Ala.)
“I want to play for a team that physical. I’ve never seen a team practice that physical. It looked like a gameday. Like a rivalry game. Georgia is the most physical team in the country.”
— 4-star DL Marvin Nguetsop (Oakdale, Conn.)
The meetings have also stood out to recruits
“Man, just the meeting itself did it for me, honestly. You are ready to go for our spring ball. Very high energy over there. Tight-knit group. Everybody’s like family there, so it’s very fun to be there at practices and watch them go throughout the day and it’s very exciting when you watch them practice and hit. I was there for the first day with full pads on, so you know the energy was there.”
— 4-star LB Jalaythan “JJ” Mayfield (Lincolnton, NC)
“We sat in a pretty long meeting. I took an entire notebook full of pages and I filled the entire thing up. It was actually pretty cool. Coach Smart, he looked at my notebook and he was really impressed with my note-taking skills. So that was a pretty cool memory, too.”
— 4-star OT Jimmy Kalis (Pittsburg, Pa.)
Junior OT Jah Jackson has attracted a lot of attention
“Jah Jackson is probably the tallest tackle I’ve seen. He’s 6-foot-11 and probably seven feet with cleats on.”
— 4-star OL Jimmy Kalis (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
“He’s a big dude to watch. For sure. He’s definitely exciting to watch on both sides. The left side and the right side. He’s definitely a top guy. For sure.”
— Class of 2029 OT Landon Ghea
“Jah is a leader in my eyes. That’s what I see right now. I feel like he’s figured it out.”
— 3-star IOL Elijah Morrison (Dacula, Ga.)
“The kid’s name was Jah, I think. Man was huge. I’ve never. He is humongous. I couldn’t believe it when I first saw him, I was like ‘Damn’ for real.”
— 4-star WR Khalil Taylor (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Georgia offensive lineman Jahzare Jackson (64) blocks against Austin Peay defensive lineman Davion Hood (17) during their game at Sanford Stadium, Saturday, September 6, 2025, in Athens, Ga. Georgia won 28-6. (Jason Getz / AJC) (Jason Getz/AJC Freelancer)
What Kirby Smart adds to every UGA practice visit
“There’s just a standard that everybody is held to. Coach Smart was on the microphone. Just pointing out everybody’s mistakes. Just making sure everybody is locked in.”
— Class of 2029 OT Landon Ghea (Milton, Ga.)
“He was just telling me you’ve got to be ready to come here and play. Like I can’t be weak. He’s going to test me mentally and physically and just to be ready. It makes me want to turn up even more. I love being coached hard. It lets me know that he wants me to be great.”
— 4-star WR Sean Green (Kingsland, Ga.)
“He’s a very genuine guy and you can tell that he’s got a real sense of that he’s going to win. I think that’s definitely something that he and I both see eye-to-eye on. We both value winning. He clearly values winning and he does it at a high level.”
— 4-star IOL Carter Jones (Poquoson, Va.)
“A Georgia practice is different. It definitely is. The energy level is way higher. When Kirby gets on that microphone, it just changes something in the atmosphere and there aren’t many places that do that. There are some coaches that try to replicate that, but they don’t do it at the level that he does.”
–4-star LB Jalaythan “JJ” Mayfield (Lincolnton, NC)
Do they look elite?
“I can just see why Georgia is just so elite in what they do. They take a pro approach to everything. They are very serious about what they do. They are passionate about the way they do it. Georgia is going to have a great year.”
— 4-star OL Jimmy Kalis (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
“I feel like it is a factory for the NFL. Their pipeline is and that’s what the end goal is for every athlete of my caliber. So why wouldn’t you check out a place like Georgia?
— 4-star LB Jalaythan “JJ” Mayfield (Lincolnton, NC)
“When I think of Georgia, I just think of relentlessness. Just the way they play. The whole team. It’s not like they got a couple of dudes on there that are Dawgs. Like, literally the whole team is Dawgs. They all want to win and pretty much every single year they’re in the running for a national championship.”
–4-star LB Kenneth Simon II (Brentwood, Tenn.)
“Georgia is different. Like, SEC ball is different. They’re very aggressive, and with the attention to detail, they are very focused. is like you can definitely tell the difference between the Big Ten and the ACC and the different conferences and stuff like that. They’re huge. They’re very aggressive, and with the attention to detail, they are very focused. They’re on their ‘Ps’ and ‘Qs,’ and they know what they’re doing. Everything down there was just great.
— 4-star WR Khalil Taylor (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
2026 breakouts: The names we’ve heard that have impressed the recruits so far this spring
- LB Chris Cole
- QB Ryan Montgomery
- WR Craig Dandridge
- OL Juan Gaston
- DL Elijah Griffin
- IOL Zykie Helton
- OT Jah Jackson
- TE/WR Kaiden Prothro
- OL Mason Short
- DL Valdin Sone
- WR Talyn Taylor
- WR Sacovie White-Helton
- TE Elyiss Williams
Have you subscribed to the DawgNation YouTube channel? If so, you will see special 1-on-1 content with key 2027 recruits like Chance Gilbert, KJ Jackson, Kemon Spell and Donte’ Wright.
Check out this week’s “Before the Hedges” weekly Georgia football recruiting special on YouTube below
Georgia
Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra Announces Expanded Artistic Leadership Team for 2026–2027 Season
Marietta-based Georgia Symphony Orchestra distributed the following announcement:
The Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra (GYSO) is pleased to announce an expanded artistic leadership team for the 2026–2027 season, bringing together an exceptional group of conductors and educators dedicated to providing outstanding musical instruction and performance opportunities for young musicians throughout metro Atlanta.
Leading the changes is Dr. Nathaniel F. Parker, who will transition from his dual role as GYSO Symphony conductor and artistic & executive Director into a dedicated leadership role as Dr. Bobbie Bailey Artistic & Executive Director of GYSO. This change will allow Parker to devote his GYSO responsibilities entirely to providing artistic vision, strengthening educational programming, supporting staff, expanding student recruitment, and guiding the continued growth of one of the Southeast’s leading youth orchestra programs.
Joining the artistic team is Dr. Kathryn Encisco, who has been appointed director of GYSO Camerata. A former GYSO student, Encisco returns to the program after building an accomplished career as a conductor and music educator, bringing her experience and passion for student development to the next generation of young musicians.
Additional leadership appointments include Dr. David Doke, who will become conductor of the GYSO Symphony, and Dr. Will Whitehead, who will assume leadership of the GYSO Philharmonic. Together, these appointments create a clear artistic pathway for students as they progress through GYSO’s orchestral program.
The expanded artistic team joins a distinguished faculty that includes returning instructors Sam Skelton, Dr. Vera Ilyushina, Whitney Tinley, and Veronica Del Castillo, along with an accomplished roster of sectional coaches and teaching artists. Several members of the artistic staff also serve on the music faculty of the Kennesaw State University Bailey School of Music, giving GYSO students the opportunity to learn from respected collegiate educators and professional performers while preparing for their own musical futures.
“I’m incredibly excited about the artistic team we’ll have guiding our students this season,” said Parker. “Each member of our faculty brings not only exceptional musical credentials, but also a deep commitment to teaching and mentoring young musicians. Together with our returning faculty, we’ve assembled one of the strongest educational teams in our history. From students taking their first steps in orchestral music to those preparing for collegiate and professional opportunities, GYSO offers outstanding instruction, inspiring mentorship, and a clear pathway for musical growth.”
Founded in 2006, the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestras has grown into one of the Southeast’s premier youth orchestra programs, serving hundreds of students from across metro Atlanta through five orchestras, a jazz ensemble, chamber music, and specialized instrumental programs. As the education division of the Georgia Symphony Orchestra, GYSO is committed to developing confident, well-rounded musicians through exceptional instruction, challenging performance opportunities, and meaningful artistic experiences.
The program’s commitment to excellence is further strengthened through its longstanding partnership with the KSU Bailey School of Music, providing students with access to university faculty, collaborative educational opportunities, and mentorship that helps prepare many graduates for collegiate music study and beyond.
“It’s an exciting time to be part of GYSO,” Parker added. “Whether a student dreams of a professional music career or simply wants to experience the joy of making music with others, they’ll find a welcoming community, exceptional teachers, and opportunities that will challenge and inspire them.”
There is still time for students to join GYSO for the 2026–2027 season. Audition registration is open through August 5, with live auditions taking place August 8. Open seats remain available at every ensemble level, offering opportunities for musicians of all ages and experience levels.
For audition requirements and registration information, visit gyso.org/auditions.
Georgia Tech LB Kyle Efford was in Charlotte today representing the Yellow Jackets and talked to the media on Thursday at ACC Media Days. Here is what he had to say.
On being more of a vocal leader…
“Oh, man, it’s changed a lot. I’m at that point now where I’m in my redshirt senior year, man, my fifth year. I have no other option but to be a vocal leader and to lead my team by example, but also, if I need to speak up, I’ll speak up.”
On benefiting from Jason Semore as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach…
“Yes, sir. So Coach Semore is not only the best coordinator in the country, but he’s the best linebackers coach in the country. And his defense is made for linebackers to run the show, be the quarterbacks, get us in and out of defenses. And that’s what I’m willing to go for the defense, for the best of the team.
Coach Semore, he definitely has enigmatic defenses. His major thing is offenses are not the same from the 1990s. Why are the defenses the same? That’s his major point. I can see how it’s going to be great.”
On the consistency of his game…
“Man, just effort to the football. It ain’t nothing but seeing the ball and running the ball every single play.I mean, it’s one thing when you know what you’re doing, but it’s another thing when you empty the tank on every single play. And that’s all I’ve been doing, and the results show.”
On how to improve the run defense…
“Oh, man, across the board, from the first level, second level, third level. There’s always places to develop. I mean, I feel like from our big guys getting vertical, cutting the ball off, to taking double-teams, to the backers, you know, filling gaps, going sideline to sideline all the way to the back and communicating and getting down. There’s room for development everywhere. There’s not one specific area. But I feel like we need to develop across the board.”
On how his brother playing soccer allows him to think differently…
“Yeah, I mean, my brother taught me what it takes to be a pro. I mean, growing up from as far as I can remember, he showed me my work ethic. I was probably in second, third grade, and he was getting me up 5:00 in the morning to go outside and work out with him.I mean, he and my father essentially made me who I am, showed me what it takes to play at a high level.”
On rivalry vs Georgia…
“We Georgia Tech men, it doesn’t matter to us. Bobby Dodd, in between the hedges, Piedmont Park. It don’t matter. We’re a group of guys wired like that. We don’t like to (indiscernible) on the road. We want to get them boys, and I’m sure we will.”
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CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. — Animal shelters in Northwest Georgia are running out of space, with Catoosa and Walker County unable to take in more animals as the number of strays rises during the summer months.
Catoosa County officials say the county’s animal shelter is maxed out and can no longer accept animals.
Image via Catoosa County Animal Control
The shelter has room for 80 pets but is currently over capacity, limiting how much it can help when large animal rescues happen in nearby areas.
“I can’t speak for everybody, but I can say that working in animal care, summertime is definitely one of the worst times for us and for the animals more,” Abby Lynch, the community outreach and kennel officer for the Catoosa County Animal Shelter says.
Catoosa County officials say summer is when dogs and cats breed because the weather is nice, leading to more strays than usual.
Image via Catoosa County Animal Control
The Walker County Animal Shelter is also dealing with capacity issues.
The shelter says it has brought in 73 animals since the beginning of July.
Image: Walker County Animal Shelter
“In that same time, we have done 28 adoptions, which 28 adoptions in two weeks sounds great. But when you’re doing the math of 73 animals in and 28 animals going out, not super great,” says Melissa Smith, director of the Walker County Animal Shelter.
Catoosa County has helped neighboring counties during past crises.
Image via Catoosa County Animal Control
“We’ve assisted Dade County in the past with similar situations, and that’s when really rescues and shelters help each other,” says Dylan McColollum, director of Catoosa County Animal Control.
Dade County only got an animal shelter this year.
Image: Walker County Animal Shelter
In Georgia, only 61 out of 159 counties have animal shelters, making it more important for shelters to have enough capacity to help their own communities and assist neighboring counties when needed.
“We’re just grateful that we have our own shelter and can take care of our our county and its needs, and we’re happy to assist if other counties need our assistance,” McColollum says.
Image: Walker County Animal Shelter
Adoptions at the Catoosa County Animal Shelter are currently free because of donors. See available animals here.
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