Georgia has been the gold standard in the post-pandemic world of college football, compiling a 42-2 record the past three seasons with two national championships.
Yet even Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart isn't immune to today's shifting landscape that involves more roster management than ever before. Georgia on Tuesday afternoon began its ninth spring practice period under Smart with 22 midyear enrollees, six transfers and four new assistant coaches.
"The goals of spring for me would be to expand our roster of winning football players," Smart said in a news conference that preceded the opening workout. "What defines above the line and below the line is whether you can play winning football. We probably have 30 or 40 guys who have proven that.
"We have another 30 or 40 who have to prove that to get the team we need to have to play the schedule we have."
Ah, the first schedule reference of 2024.
Due to the new world that is the 16-team Southeastern Conference, the Bulldogs have a taxing league schedule containing the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Texas, Florida, Ole Miss and Tennessee, and that's in addition to the Clemson opener in Atlanta and the finale with Georgia Tech. Yet tears of sympathy are not being shed for a program that in recent years has challenged Alabama for the nation's top signing classes.
Several days after Georgia concluded last season with a 62-3 mauling of a depleted Florida State in the Orange Bowl, ESPN came out with its "way too early" All-America team that was overrun with returning Bulldogs: quarterback Carson Beck, offensive linemen Tate Ratledge, Earnest Greene and Dylan Fairchild, and safety Malaki Starks. Of course, such lists could just as easily include offensive lineman Xavier Truss, defensive lineman Nazir Stackhouse, edge rusher Mykel Williams and linebacker Smael Mondon.
Of course, Georgia hasn't gone 42-2 by taking things for granted.
"Every year starts fresh," Smart said. "I say that all the time, and y'all say it's coach speak and redundant, but for me, this is a fresh beginning with a new team. I've been trying since the last whistle to recreate this team. What does the 2024 team look like? That would be regardless as to how last year finished. Each season is independent of the previous."
Said Mondon: "It's kind of early to say anything right now. We have all of spring ball, then the summer and then fall camp, so as far as an identity goes, we are still forming it. Last year we didn't even know our identity until the season started or even a little bit into the season, so it's going to take time."
One of the newcomers certain to assume a prominent role is junior running back Trevor Etienne, who transferred to Athens after rushing for 1,472 yards and 5.9 yards per carry the past two seasons for the rival Florida Gators. Georgia's top two rushers last season, Daijun Edwards and Kendall Milton, are prepping for the NFL draft, while Branson Robinson missed last year with a ruptured patella tendon and will be out this spring.
"Everything that we've heard about Etienne before we got here has held true," Smart said. "He's a tremendous leader and a high-character kid. He immediately surges into a leadership role because he's not a first-year player. He's been in our league. He has standards and expectations.
"He's high-character, and he's proven that the time he's been here."
About that car
Beck is entering his fifth and final year with the Bulldogs, and he is doing so while driving around in a Lamborghini due to a name, image and likeness (NIL) deal.
"I've always been a car guy since I was a kid," Beck said Tuesday. "My dream car when I was super young was a Mustang. I've never actually had a Mustang, and I kind of grew out of that when I was 14 or 15.
"Being able to associate myself with that brand and it being such a large brand name and being able to get that car is obviously a blessing."
Spurlin retires
Georgia sophomore tight end Pearce Spurlin III announced Tuesday that he is having to give up football because of a congenital heart condition.
"My cardiologists monitor it each year, and this year's appointment showed something different," Spurlin said in a social media statement. "My margins moved into a zone of being at high risk playing contact sports."
The 6-foot-7, 240-pounder, from Rosemary Beach, Florida, played in six games last season, amassing three catches for 60 yards.
A lengthy list
Among the Bulldogs out this spring are Robinson, Mondon (foot), offensive lineman Bo Hughley (shoulder) and defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (foot).
Those who will be limited in the weeks ahead, according to Smart, are Starks (shoulder), receiver Rara Thomas (foot), defensive lineman Christen Miller (meniscus) and linebacker Kristopher Jones (foot). Jones is a midyear enrollee.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com.