Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart praised tight end Jaden Reddell for his spring game performance after the red team (first-team offense) beat the black team 27-17 (first-team defense). Reddell had a strong G-Day with a team-high (tied with running back Dante Dowdell) 61 total yards and a touchdown.
Reddell used a great block from second-year tight end Elyiss Williams to pick up 23 yards on a rushing attempt. Reddell's speed as a ball carrier reminded many Georgia fans of tight end Brock Bowers. Reddell hauled in all three of his targets for 38 yards and a touchdown.
"Yeah, he had a really good spring," Smart said on Reddell. "I would say he was probably one of the most explosive, most improved players. He played twitchy, he played fast. He played with a chip on his shoulder, and we had not seen that before out of him.
"He probably had three or four incredible plays throughout spring practice. He was just really consistent. He's improved blocking, and I can't even tell you what he did today because it's hard to keep up with, but I can tell you throughout spring, the other 14 practices, he's been great. "
Reddell is part of a deep tight end room that features Williams and Lawson Luckie. The Bulldogs could line up in a lot of three tight end sets this fall.
"He's created a lot of competition in that room," Smart continued on Reddell. "That room has complete players in that room, and they're going to really battle it out, and we're going to have to find ways to use them."
Georgia's tight end room is definitely one of the Bulldogs' biggest strengths. In 2025, Reddell had just one catch for nine yards. He appeared in all 14 games, but saw much less playing time than Oscar Delp, Luckie and Williams. Reddell should get more snaps this fall with Delp in the 2026 NFL draft.
TD‼️ Gunner finds Reddell for 6⃣📺: SECNetwork+/ESPN+#GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/cTU4chbQjB
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) April 18, 2026
Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) passes the ball during the Georgia spring football gameGeorgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart shown on the field during the Georgia Spring football game at Sanford Stadium.Georgia Bulldogs running back Nate Frazier (3) is tackled by defensive lineman Xavier McCleod (94) during the Georgia Spring football gameGeorgia Bulldogs running back Dwight Phillips Jr runs for a touchdown during the Georgia Spring football gameGeorgia Bulldogs running back Dwight Phillips Jr reacts after scoring a touchdownGeorgia Bulldogs tight end Jaden Reddell (23) catches a touchdown pass behind safety Khaill Barnes (7) during the Georgia Spring football gameGeorgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunnar Stockton (14) runs against linebacker Terrell Foster (30) during the Georgia Spring football gameGeorgia Bulldogs band members shown in the stands prior to the Georgia Spring football game at Sanford StadiumGeorgia Bulldogs quarterback Bryson Beaver (18) passes the ball during the Georgia Spring football gameGeorgia Bulldogs mascot UGA shown on the field during the Georgia Spring football gameGeorgia Bulldogs wide receiver Craig Dandridge Jr (81) tries to make a catch over defensive back Braylon Conley (24) during the Georgia Spring football game1 / 11Best photos of Georgia football's spring gameGeorgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) passes the ball during the Georgia spring football game1 / 11Best photos of Georgia football's spring gameGeorgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) passes the ball during the Georgia spring football game2 / 11Best photos of Georgia football's spring gameGeorgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart shown on the field during the Georgia Spring football game at Sanford Stadium.3 / 11Best photos of Georgia football's spring gameGeorgia Bulldogs running back Nate Frazier (3) is tackled by defensive lineman Xavier McCleod (94) during the Georgia Spring football game4 / 11Best photos of Georgia football's spring gameGeorgia Bulldogs running back Dwight Phillips Jr runs for a touchdown during the Georgia Spring football game5 / 11Best photos of Georgia football's spring gameGeorgia Bulldogs running back Dwight Phillips Jr reacts after scoring a touchdown6 / 11Georgia's Kirby Smart calls G-Day star 'most improved'Georgia Bulldogs tight end Jaden Reddell (23) catches a touchdown pass behind safety Khaill Barnes (7) during the Georgia Spring football game7 / 11Best photos of Georgia football's spring gameGeorgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunnar Stockton (14) runs against linebacker Terrell Foster (30) during the Georgia Spring football game8 / 11Best photos of Georgia football's spring gameGeorgia Bulldogs band members shown in the stands prior to the Georgia Spring football game at Sanford Stadium9 / 11Best photos of Georgia football's spring gameGeorgia Bulldogs quarterback Bryson Beaver (18) passes the ball during the Georgia Spring football game10 / 11Best photos of Georgia football's spring gameGeorgia Bulldogs mascot UGA shown on the field during the Georgia Spring football game11 / 11Best photos of Georgia football's spring gameGeorgia Bulldogs wide receiver Craig Dandridge Jr (81) tries to make a catch over defensive back Braylon Conley (24) during the Georgia Spring football gameFollow UGA Wire on Instagram or Threads for more Georgia football coverage!
This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Kirby Smart says promising TE 'most improved' after spring game