Georgia Football: Bennett And Bailey Catch Staff’s Attention

Michael Bennett, Photo by Sonny Kennedy, sonnykennedyphotography.com/

Three days after the annual G-Day Game, the Georgia football team returned to the Woodruff Practice Fields on Tuesday for a two-hour workout in shells. It marked the 14th practice of the spring for the Bulldogs, who will practice one more time later this week.

Tuesday’s workout featured the return of junior split end Michael Bennett, who is returning from a season-ending ACL injury last year. The Alpharetta,  native led the team with 24 catches for 345 yards and four touchdowns last year when his sophomore campaign ended after the fifth game of the season.

“The best sight today was Michael Bennett running routes with the receivers,” head coach Mark Richt said.

Following practice, first-year assistant coach Chris Wilson discussed the progress of the defensive line this spring.

Sterling Bailey, Photo by Sonny Kennedy, sonnykennedyphotography.com/

“Sterling Bailey is a guy who has caught our attention as a staff,” Wilson said. “He’s really done some good things, and the biggest thing is to see him healthy and to get through these last 14 practices.

“The next guy who I thought really improved was Mike Thornton, followed by John Taylor. Once John knows what to do and how to do it and the tempo to do it with, he’s going to be a guy who can help us win some games. He’s a guy who, with his ability, can play nose, end and 3-technique.”

Georgia will be looking to replace a trio of veterans on the defensive line who left for the NFL. Garrison Smith, who was the leading tackler from the unit, returns this fall. Taylor had seven tackles in the G-Day Game, while Smith and Bailey each recorded one sack for the Black team.

The Bulldogs will return to the practice field for the 15th and final time this spring on Thursday.

All photos copyrighted property of Sonny Kennedy, sonnykennedyphotography.com/