This will be a planned Sunday feature where DawgNation can show the path between the nation’s top-rated recruiting class for 2018 onto the playing field. The 38-12 win on Saturday offered another chance to note the contributions of a few key redshirt freshmen Bulldogs.

Potential + Preparation = Performance

It seems like freshman RB James Cook produces one of these visuals just about every time he carries the ball for Georgia. (Jeff Sentell/DawgNation)/Dawgnation)

The focus for today: If tasked with writing about the UGA freshmen and the impact they made on the game, it seems inconceivable to not go heavy on Fields. He basically just flashed his legs (save for one rocket out route throw in the first half) for two big scores that allowed for the 26-point win. He only played one snap last week on the road in a tight game at Missouri but rebounded with his most impactful game as a Bulldog.

Fields now has three rushing touchdowns in 2018. That puts him at No. 2 on the Bulldogs in the category behind D’Andre Swift (4) and also at No. 5 in the SEC. (Jeff Sentell/DawgNation)/Dawgnation)

The Justin Fields stat line: He had five carries for 46 yards. His running day went like this: 13, 12 (TD), 6, -1, 15 (TD). He completed 1 of his 2 passes for 5 yards. Fields threw an interception that was on a free play (and not the best read given the safety help) after a pre-snap defensive penalty. The penalty nullified the pick.

The Harrison High alum also recovered a fumble on the exchange for his only negative rushing play for the game.

Do all you tailgating friends know that: Fields is now No. 2 on the Bulldogs in rushing touchdowns (3) and also in a seven-way tie at No. 5 in the SEC with that same total.

The obligatory recruiting ranking review for Fields: He spent most of 2017 and his senior season rated as the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect before eventually being overtaken by Clemson freshman Trevor Lawrence. He finished as the nation’s No. 1 dual-threat QB prospect. That was also good for his status as the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect and the No. 2 player in Georgia for 2018.

Channing Tindall had three tackles on Saturday against the Vols. He was also in on a tackle for a loss. (Jeff Sentell/DawgNation)/Dawgnation)

Best game as a Bulldog, Part II: Bet you didn’t catch this but Channing Tindall placed in a tie for 4th on the Bulldogs on Saturday with his three tackles. He also got half-credit for a tackle for a loss, too.

Did you see?: Some of the blocks made by Cade Mays on Saturday? He had no problem laying the wood to the team that he grew up cheering and dreaming of playing for.

How many freshmen played (true or redshirt): 19

Who started (all freshmen): P Jake Camarda; CB Tyson Campbell; OG/OT Cade Mays; OT Isaiah Wilson

The 14 true freshmen who played against UT: Camarda + Campbell + Mays and :

Who played (redshirt freshmen column):

  • OLB Robert Beal Jr.
  • OG Netori Johnson
  • OT D’Marcus Hayes
  • CB Eric Stokes
  • OT Isaiah Wilson (starter)

Position breakdown for the true freshmen who saw action against UT (with last weeks number):

  • DB: 3 (3)
  • ILB: 2 (2)
  • OLB: 2 (2)
  • OL: 3 (2)
  • DL: 1 (0)
  • P: 1 (1)
  • QB: 1 (1)
  • RB: 1 (1)
  • TE: 0 (1)
  • WR: 0 (1)

The 10 true freshmen who have played in every game

Simply put, they can no longer use 2018 as a redshirt year.

  • OLB Adam Anderson
  • P Jake Camarda (5 starts)
  • CB Tyson Campbell (5 starts)
  • RB James Cook
  • OLB Brenton Cox
  • QB Justin Fields
  • OL Trey Hill
  • OL Cade Mays (2 starts)
  • ILB Channing Tindall
  • ILB Quay Walker

Participation report for the 2018 freshmen signees so far

This will be worth watching in terms of the new redshirt rules.

  • OLB Adam Anderson: 5 games
  • WR Tommy Bush: 1 game
  • P Jake Camarda: 5 games
  • CB Tyson Campbell: 5 games
  • OT Owen Condon: 0 games
  • RB James Cook: 5 games
  • OLB Brenton Cox: 5 games
  • OL Warren Ericson: 0 games
  • QB Justin Fields: 5 games
  • TE John FitzPatrick: 2 games
  • TE Luke Ford: 4 games
  • OL Trey Hill: 5 games
  • WR Kearis Jackson: 3 games
  • OL Cade Mays: 5 games
  • OLB Azeez Ojulari: 1 game
  • DB Otis Reese: 4 games
  • OL Jamaree Salyer: 4 games
  • DB Chris Smith: 3 games
  • ILB Channing Tindall: 5 games
  • ILB Quay Walker: 5 games
  • RB Zamir White: 0 games (Redshirt-Summer ACL injury)
  • DB Divaad Wilson: 0 games (Spring ACL injury

Fields first came into the game when: He was subbed in on the second play of the second quarter after Jake Fromm hit Terry Godwin for a 15-yard gain and a first down to the Tennessee 20. He had one snap and gave the ball to junior RB Brian Herrien for a two-yard gain. He did not return on that series. Fromm fumbled away the ball under pressure, the Bulldogs recovered and went on to add a field goal for a 10-0 lead.

Had to dig to find out: Freshman OLB Brenton Cox came away with the first solo tackle of his career against Tennessee on Saturday.

Big takeaway stat from the game: Fields was in for one snap on a drive that the Bulldogs cashed in for three points. He was in for one snap on a drive where the Bulldogs used his legs for a 12-yard scoring run. He was also in for extended time on two other drives which resulted in Georgia touchdowns. In short, the Bulldogs scored on every drive he was in on Saturday.

PICTURE THIS, PART I

The UT game gave FIelds the biggest chance of the season to flash his legs to spark the Bulldog offense. Here he gets to the edge for a big gain and by two closing Vol defenders. (Jeff Sentell/DawgNation/Dawgnation)

True freshmen players who did not play: WR Tommy Bush; OL Owen Condon; OL Warren Ericson; TE John FitzPatrick; TE Luke Ford; WR Kearis Jackson; OLB Azeez Ojulari; RB Zamir White (out for the season); DB Divaad Wilson (likely out for at least 4-5 more weeks.)

2017 signees who did not show on the game participation report: R-Fr. DB Tray Bishop; R-Fr.DB Latavious Brini; Sophomore DB Deangelo Gibbs; Sophomore DE Malik Herring; ILB Jaden Hunter; R-Fr. Matt Landers; Sophomore Ameer Speed.

PICTURE THIS, PART II

Want to know why Cade Mays is a mainstay contributor in Sam Pittman’s Massive Human Being Fight Club. That’s Mays in his No. 77. Clearly the big man in the middle. (Jeff Sentell/DawgNation)/Dawgnation)

A better day than we realized: It was worth coming back to the day had by Jake Camarda. The initial impression coming out of the game was Jake Camarda had a few true freshmen moments. There was one bad shank that went way left and actually hit Blankenship’s drill net on the sideline. It covered just 21 yards. Yet he finished with a 41.0 average, a 53-yard boot and a 49-yarder he also dropped at the 16.

Freshman moment you might have missed: When Tennessee came out for its final drive deep in its territory, we saw the Bulldogs insert both Channing Tindall and Quay Walker at ILB. Those are the two prized ILB recruits from the class of 2018 who have been working up the depth chart since their arrival in June. They had to have impressed in practice this week to earn that right.

The Bulldogs gave their young ILBs Channing Tindall and Quay Walker the last series of the Tennessee game on Saturday. (Jeff Sentell/DawgNation)/Dawgnation)

(Redshirt and true) Freshmen of distinction: Offense Fields, Mays; Defense: Campbell