Spring football is already here.
While the pain of Georgia's loss in the national championship likely hasn't subsided, the start of the next season will help fans turn the page to what could be an equally exciting year.
The Bulldogs have 14 spring practices in Athens beginning on Tuesday before finishing up the spring with G-Day at Sanford Stadium on April 21. That is when fans will get their first look at the Bulldogs. But before then, reporters will be furiously working on storylines and watching position battles.
Here are some of the storylines to watch out for:
1. The next QB battle
While this one will likely be less intense than last season's quarterback battle between Jake Fromm and Jacob Eason, there will still be daily questions about 5-star dual threat quarterback Justin Fields and his chances of overtaking Fromm. But the even bigger question is how Georgia will feature Fields. Will they create packages for the Harrison High School alum to come in and use his feet, or will he simply be the No. 2 man behind Fromm to come in when needed? Also look for updates regarding his health, although the finger he broke last season should be at about 100 percent.
2. The next Thunder and Lightning
Nick Chubb and Sony Michel are gone after producing several exciting years for Bulldogs fans. However, they left Georgia's run game in good hands. We started to see a preview of the next generation of UGA tailbacks when D'Andre Swift would spread out the offense and Elijah Holyfield would get touches. Those two could be the next Thunder and Lightning, but we'll find a new nickname for them because replacing two top NFL prospects is a tough task. We don't quite know where Swift and Holyfield's ceilings are. Reporters will also be anxious to learn how newcomers Zamir White and James Cook could be used next season. Both are 5-star early enrollees, but White is still recovering from an ACL injury. So don't expect much news about him except for injury updates. As for Cook, he could be be another running back to also come out of the backfield and catch passes if needed.
3. Replacing half of the starting defense
Several starting defenders are gone, most notably Roquan Smith who will be a first round Draft pick come April. But the Bulldogs are also losing Aaron Davis, Lorenzo Carter, Trenton Thompson, John Atkins, Dominick Sanders and Davin Bellamy. Some of the discussion will revolve around replacing Smith. Current inside linebackers who are favorites to replace him are Monty Rice, Tae Crowder and Juwan Taylor. Rice and Taylor each received playing time in place of Natrez Patrick following his arrest and when Reggie Carter was injured. Taylor, a rising senior, had 24 total tackles and one for a loss against Vanderbilt. As a freshman, Rice had 22 total tackles, 10 solo tackles and two tackles for loss. Crowder played mostly on special teams last season. His most memorable play was recovering the squib kick from Oklahoma at the end of the first half of the Rose Bowl that led to a field goal, a play that helped Georgia comeback and eventually win.
4. The big bad O-Line
Georgia only lost Isaiah Wynn from its offensive line, but that's a big void considering he'll be a top NFL Draft choice. He was also a left tackle, one of the most important positions on the line. There'll be some moving around on the line, such as Andrew Thomas moving from right tackle to left to take Wynn's place. Lamont Gaillard is expected to keep starting at center after a great season, and Ben Cleveland is expected to stay at right guard after taking the role from Solomon Kindley following the Auburn loss. That move proved to be effective, but Kindley could contend for a starting job depending on the work he's put in this offseason. Georgia signed four offensive lineman between the two signing days, including two 5 stars. Everyone will be curious how they fit in and if they could take some starting jobs. Jamaree Salyer from Pace Academy and Cade Mays from Knoxville, Tenn. could contend for starting jobs.
5. Latest on Natrez Patrick
Natrez Patrick was arrested twice last season for marijuana possession. Even though Patrick has been arrested three times while on the Bulldogs, changes to UGA's substance abuse policy may keep him on the team for his senior season. Charges against Patrick were dropped after Jayson Stanley said the drugs were his. Patrick entered a treatment facility following the arrest. The status for Patrick is unknown. However, Smart did Tweet that Patrick was one of the student-athletes of the week in early March. Reporters will be likely firing off questions about Patrick and his status right out of the gate.
