ATHENS — Georgia football coach Kirby Smart led his team through its 13th spring practice session on Tuesday in Athens but found himself addressing off-field issues after the arrests of freshmen Julian Rochester and Chad Clay on Monday night.
The pair were released from the Athens-Clarke County jail late Tuesday morning, posting $1,000 bond for each charge -- which included felony charges related to the possession of a BB gun in a school zone. Rochester, a defensive lineman, and Clay, a defensive back, were also charged with second degree criminal damage resulting from damage to a campus dorm.
"It's just sad because both those kids were improving on the football field and to make a decision so dumb, I mean just a dumb decision, it's disappointing and really embarrasses all of us," Smart said. "It embarrasses the university, and embarrasses their families.
"I am extremely disappointed in them and they will suffer the consequences," Smart said, adding both players missed practice on Tuesday as they took care of the academics they missed on Tuesday morning. "Their situation will be handled in an appropriate manner. This conduct will not be tolerated."
Smart was not sure if Rochester and Clay would play in the G-Day game at this time.
On the field, the Bulldogs practiced for two hours in anticipation for the annual G-Day intrasquad game on Saturday -- which included a continuing battle for the starting quarterback spot. The battle between senior incumbent Greyson Lambert, junior back-up Brice Ramsey and freshman early enrollee Jacob Eason will be watched closely on Saturday.
"I think we will have one quarterback play for both teams," said Bulldog head coach Kirby Smart. "There is not a lot of separation between them. It's been a see-saw battle and I think G-Day will figure in a lot in our decision."
With running back Nick Chubb still rehabbing from his 2015 injury, Smart said that sophomore Shaquery Wilson has lined up in the backfield to help with carries.
"I didn't think we could get through the spring and G-Day with the number of backs that we currently had," said Smart. "I saw him split our defense once today and he has done a good job overall. It depends on the depth if he will stay in that spot."
The Bulldogs will conduct one more practice this week, on Thursday, before the G-Day game at 4 p.m. Saturday. G-Day will conclude Georgia's spring practices. That contest will be televised nationally on ESPNU, with Dave Neal calling the play-by-play, former Georgia All-American and Academic All-American Matt Stinchcomb as color analyst and Shannon Spake handling the role as sideline reporter.
