What we saw during the first day of Georgia Bulldogs football 2023 preseason practice

Georgia football opened preseason practice Thursday on a day where rain fell in Athens, but the Bulldogs began with a break in the precipitation.

It was a rare morning practice under Kirby Smart due to summer exam conflicts for some players.

It offered another evaluation of how ready the players are for the weeks of practices ahead.

“Don’t tell me you’re in shape,” Smart said on his handheld microphone. “Show me.”

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It was a relatively cool 74 degrees, but Smart told players that seemed to be struggling that it was a mere 60 degrees.

Quarterback Stetson Bennett, of course is gone. Younger brother, Luke, the walk-on wide receiver, remains.

Here are three takeaways from 17 minutes of media viewing time as the Bulldogs opened camp:

Georgia football quarterbacks knock off the rust

We put eyes on the quarterbacks towards the end of the media viewing period because it’s near the gate we enter and exit.

All four quarterbacks — Carson Beck, Brock Vandagriff, Gunner Stockton and Jackson Muschamp — stood side by side and threw to targets in fast-paced drills.

Let’s say the QBs looked a little rusty, particularly on downfield passes. Vandagriff missed on a corner route deep and Beck also couldn’t connect near the same spot to Jackson Meeks. Stockton threw low to Rara Thomas on another pass.

The quarterbacks were more accurate on the shorter stuff.

Beck hit freshman Zeed Haynes over the middle after connecting with Ladd McConkey earlier. Vandagriff hits Arian Smith in stride over the middle.

Georgia Bulldogs players coming and goings

Freshman Pearce Spurlin, who was sidelined for much of the spring with a collarbone injury, slid behind Brock Bowers, Oscar Delp and Lawson Luckie in a tight end drill.

The cornerbacks pecking order in one drilled seemed to be Nyland Green, AJ Harris and freshman Chris Peal. I saw a No. 6 later as a gunner. That could have been Daylen Everette or Dom Lovett. No sign of Kamari Lassiter (UPDATE: Our photographer captured a shot of Everette).

The defensive linemen in the front of the line working on the sleds were Mykel Williams, Christen Miller, Jamaal Jarrett and Jordan Hall with Jonathan Jefferson and Nazir Stackhouse also taking part. Didn’t see Warren Brinson.

Tykee Smith and Justyn Rhett worked with Will Muschamp, who oversees the safeties and Stars.

That’s where Javon Bullard was doing drills along with Malaki Starks and David Daniel-Sisavanh. Bullard, a starting corner last year, could end up starting at safety.

Outside linebacker Darris Smith is an impressive physical specimen. He wears his 240 pounds well on his 6-foot-5 frame.

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Position coach Chidera Uzo-Dirbe told him in one drill: “Don’t guess. Go again.” He showed him how to use his hands on the next go round.

Will Muschamp’s advice: 'Watch the vets'

The first-year guys are getting reminders from the coaches of what the expectations are on the practice field.

Muschamp told players in the back of the drill lines to learn from what guys like Smith, Bullard and Starks do.

“Young guys, watch them,” he shouted.

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Haynes, the freshman receiver from Philadelphia, got attention from Smart while fielding punts off the leg of Brett Thorson near the end zone.

“Catch it, Zee, catch it!” Smart said. “You’ve got to know where it’s going to land.”

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Georgia football quarterbacks and other practice takeaways