Tuesday workout features a trip to the pool

ATHENS, Ga. – The 14th session of preseason camp for the Georgia Bulldogs began with a 10-minute walk-through at the Woodruff Practice Fields and ended with 60 minutes of pool time at the Ramsey Student Center.

It has become an annual surprise during camp that one practice is cut short by Georgia coach Mark Richt who delivers the news much to the delight of the team. The highlights at the pool include the newcomers jumping off the 10-meter platform and Richt doing his signature back dive.

Afterwards, the defensive newcomers met with the media for the first time and gave their impressions of Tuesday’s action.

“I was excited; they surprised us because we were already out on the field going through our walk-through,” freshman defensive back Malkom Parrish said. “The first thing that went through my mind was ‘thank the Lord.’ It was hot, and it’s going to be good to be in the water.”

Freshman linebacker Lorenzo Carter, a 6-6, 237-pound native of Norcross, said he was excited to go to the pool, and he took his leap from the platform, knowing his teammates would be there to help him once he splashed down.

“It was a scorching day, and I was ready to practice,” Carter said. “The coaches did a good job of keeping it a secret. The offensive line are my boys and once I jumped off the high dive, they came to get me out of the water.”

When talk turned to football, Parrish, a 5-10, 194-pound native of Quitman, said he already has learned plenty from his coaches including defensive coordinator/secondary coach Jeremy Pruitt. “I’m playing cornerback and star, and there’s different assignments, but I’m learning the defense. I practice hard and doing what I can. I go hard every play. I know the secondary is a key part of the defense.”

“Coach Pruitt has got some great schemes,” Carter added. “Pass coverage has been an adjustment, but I’m learning the technique. It doesn’t matter if you come in as a one-star or a five-star recruit, it’s a new day and you start with a fresh slate. It’s up to the coaches to see who plays, and I feel like I’m getting better.”

The annual Fans’ Picture Day will be held Saturday, Aug. 16, in the Reed Plaza area of Sanford Stadium and will feature Richt, football players, cheerleaders, other UGA athletic teams along with mascot, Uga IX. Special ticket coupons are required for access to the location for Uga IX and Richt. Those tickets will be distributed to the first 150 fans at 10:00 a.m. from the East End ticket windows on East Campus Road.

Gates will open at 2 p.m., on Picture Day, and the Georgia cheerleaders, Dance Dawgs and Hairy Dawg will be available from 2-6 p.m. Uga IX and other University of Georgia sports teams will be available from 2-4 p.m. Ticket holders to see Uga IX must be in line by 2:30 p.m. Georgia football players will be on hand for autographs from 4-6 p.m. Richt will also be available from 4-6 p.m. for those with ticket coupons. Ticket holders to see Richt must be in line by 4:30 p.m.

Georgia, ranked No. 12 in the Amway Coaches Poll, will open the season against No. 16 Clemson on Aug. 30 at 5:30 p.m. The game will be televised by ESPN.