Georgia football on Thursday begins its long march to what it hopes will be a spot in the expanded 12-team playoff and ultimately a third national championship in the last four years.

It’s a longer season with an extended postseason.

Kirby Smart, entering his ninth season as head coach, isn’t planning on easing up much during preseason practices.

“The way we go about practicing is critical,” he said. “I believe in having a physical, tough camp. I don't think you back off about that. If you do, it may not matter about those games.”

Georgia will hold 25 practices leading to the Aug. 31 season opener against Clemson in Atlanta.

Smart told Atlanta TV reporters he expects “a little less aggressive camp” because of the stout schedule and length of season.

Here are five storylines to follow this preseason:

Competition in the Georgia football secondary

No area of the team has undergone more change from last season.

That includes new defensive backs coach Donte Williams and new co-defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson.

The Bulldogs replace NFL second-round cornerback Kamari Lassiter and safety Javon Bullard and third-round nickel Tykee Smith.

Safety Malaki Starks and cornerback Daylen Everette are returning starters.

Who will man the other safety spot? JaCorey Thomas, Dan Jackson and freshman KJ Bolden from Buford are options.

On the SEC Network desk, Smart said Bolden “has a chance to really help us out. He’s athletic. He’s intelligent. He comes from a really good high school program. He got 15 practices in spring and he approaches every practice like a veteran.”

He said Bolden is ahead of where Starks was in his first year on campus.

Julian Humphrey, Daniel Harris and freshman Ellis Robinson are other top contenders to start at corner. Jonel Aguero could be next at nickel “Star” spot.

How wide receivers shake out with Rara Thomas in limbo

Rara Thomas was expected to be a main contributor at wide receiver but he bonded out of the Clarke County Jail Tuesday after his second domestic violence arrest since joining the team last year.

He’s suspended indefinitely, leaving his future with the program in doubt.

Wide receiver is one of the Bulldogs’ deepest positions and Thomas missed three games last season with a foot injury.

Miami transfer Colbie Young is another big target that can move the chains on the outside.

Dominic Lovett, the top wide receiver in catches last season with 54 for 613 yards, is coming off a strong spring. Dillon Bell could be ready to breakout after showing versatility as a do-everything player with the ball in his hands when he rushed for 164 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2023.

Speedster Arian Smith and sophomore Anthony Evans have big-play potential. Transfers London Humphreys (Vanderbilt) and Michael Jackson III (Southern Cal) could now get more snaps. Smart has mentioned freshman wide receiver Sacovie White as someone that can provide depth.

“It doesn’t matter who’s on the field, I know that I’m going to have confidence in them and the coaches are as well,” quarterback Carson Beck said.

The backup quarterback behind Carson Beck

Georgia couldn’t be in a better position with Beck returning for a final college season with big things expected.

Who will back up the Heisman Trophy contender (with second best odds by BetMGM behind Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel)?

Gunner Stockton should get first dibs given his extended Orange Bowl performance and exiting the spring as the clear No. 2.

Transfer Jaden Rashada, the former Florida signee, is now in the mix. He started the first two games last season for Arizona State and will practice with the Bulldogs for the first time this week. How fast can he catch up in a new offense?

“Jaden has been in as many meetings as he can be in and learning,” Smart said. “He's a guy that comes up there on his own to learn it.”

Ryan Puglisi, the true freshman who was sidelined at the end of spring practices due to a knee injury, is now healthy and running, Smart said.

Depth at the line of scrimmage

Nobody will feel sorry for Georgia football given the talent level all over the field.

The Bulldogs had more players—four—on the Outland Trophy preseason watch list for top interior lineman — then any team in the country, but Smart doesn’t think the Bulldogs differ from other programs when it comes to lack of depth in the trenches.

He mentioned both the defensive line and offensive line.

“I don’t think anybody in the country will tell you they’ve got enough depth,” Smart said. “I don’t think we have enough depth. We don’t have great depth on the offensive line where years past we were probably two and three deep. Right now we have a very experienced offensive line, but we don’t have a deep offensive line."

Georgia’s offensive line does have a former five-star Monroe Freeling as a top tackle sub and guard Micah Morris is expected to be part of a rotation.

The Bulldogs return starting left tackle Earnest Greene III, left guard Dylan Fairchild, right guard Tate Ratledge and right tackle Xavier Truss, a third-year starter. Jared Wilson steps in at center.

“We’re kind of stacked on the O-line side from tackle to tackle,” edge rusher Mykel Williams said.

Nose tackle Nazir Stackhouse joined Fairchild, Ratledge and Truss on the Outland list.

The Bulldogs also bring back Warren Brinson and Christen Miller on the defensive front. Sophomore Jordan Hall is expected to be sidelined by a leg injury during preseason, according to DawgsHQ.

Defensive end Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins should have a lighter practice loads as he returns from a foot injury. Gabe Harris also will be a factor and Mykel Williams while moving more to outside linebacker can still have a defensive line role.

Running backs after Trevor Etienne

Florida transfer Trevor Etienne gives Georgia a seasoned running back atop the depth chart.

“This kid’s a vet,” Smart told Sirius XM. “He’s played two years in our conference.

It remains to be seen if Etienne serves a suspension for the opener after his arrest for DUI (since dismissed) and reckless driving (plead no contest).

“He’s one of these new age backs that catches the ball really well out of the backfield,” Smart said. “He’s really quick getting in and out of the hole. I’m excited as hell. I love the kid. He’s been very brave to stand up and speak in front of the team and be a leader. He had an off the field incident he owned up to that. He faced adversity.”

Roderick Robinson (196 yards, 2 TDs) is the top returning rusher.

Branson Robinson is coming back from a season-ending patellar tendon injury.

“I won’t say he’s 100 percent cleared, but man, he looks great out there running,” Smart said. “His weight is down, which I think is going to put less pressure on that injury and those knees.”

Freshmen Nate Frazier and Dwight Phillips join early enrollee Chauncey Bowens to provide depth.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Here are five Georgia football storylines for preseason practices