ATHENS - Georgia’s first full-pads scrimmage of the season arrives Saturday, and it comes with real opportunity attached.
The Bulldogs will take the field inside Sanford Stadium with the first-team offense going against the first-team defense, but the whole roster will get a chance to make its case. Defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann put it plainly: “I always view the first scrimmage as moving day,” defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann said. “Like, hey, some people move up and down, and then, hey, after the second scrimmage, you kinda have to have a little bit of a pecking order because now you’re getting into game week prep.”
That makes Saturday more than just another practice. For a handful of players, it’s a chance to change how Georgia views the depth chart before the season starts taking shape in earnest.
One of the most important battles is behind center, where the Bulldogs still don’t have a clear backup quarterback. As the source material notes, no one has taken hold of the job yet, and that matters because Stockton’s style makes it essential for Georgia to have someone ready to step in and keep the offense moving.
Puglisi has the edge in experience. He’s entering his third season in Athens, and the arm talent has never been in question.
The challenge now is cleaner football: fewer turnovers and better command of the offense. If he can do that, he has a real shot to lock down the backup role.
Ryan Montgomery, Hezekiah Millender and Bryson Beaver remain in the mix as well.
At wide receiver, Craig Dandridge is another name worth watching closely. The freshman from Alpharetta arrived as the No. 81 overall player in the 2026 recruiting class per the 247Sports Composite rankings, and Georgia has already seen enough to like.
He isn’t the biggest or fastest receiver in the room, but he knows how to get open. He’s also expected to contribute on special teams.
A strong showing Saturday could push him toward earlier playing time with the first-team offense than many expected.
Then there’s Reddell, who already looks like he’s going to matter in Georgia’s offense this season. He’s had too good of an offseason for that not to be true.
Still, another big day could raise the ceiling even higher. The Bulldogs are searching for someone to emerge as a top offensive option, and Georgia Tech transfer Isiah Canion looks like a natural fit on the outside.
But if Reddell keeps breaking tackles and making defenders miss in coverage, the conversation around him changes. The comparison to Brock Bowers is obviously a big ask, and the source makes clear that expecting Reddell to replicate that is wildly unfair, but the role could start to look similar.
On defense, Zayden Walker has a chance to make a major leap. The sophomore missed spring practice while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, so Saturday gives him a real stage in full pads.
Georgia is expected to throw more than run in the scrimmage, which should help coaches evaluate the pass rush and see how the secondary responds. Walker’s athleticism gives Schumann plenty of options, and the coach hinted that Walker was close to being one of the best 11 defenders on the roster.
A strong scrimmage could make that hard to argue.
The secondary also has a spot up for grabs, and Ja’Marley Riddle is making noise there. Khalil Barnes moved quickly into the starting picture and is expected to be Georgia’s first call at star.
KJ Bolden is set to start at safety, while Ellis Robinson and Demello Jones look like safe bets at cornerback. That leaves the fifth spot, and Riddle is pushing hard for it.
The ECU transfer was limited this spring after a groin injury at the end of last season, but Georgia likes his athletic traits and is seeing him adapt to the SEC. Rasean Dinkins appears to be the main competition, with Zion Branch and Tyriq Green also in the chase.
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