Georgia's quarterback competition this spring isn't just between returning starter Greyson Lambert and touted freshman Jacob Eason.
New Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart reminded everyone of that after Tuesday's practice.
Redshirt junior Brice Ramsey received first-team repetitions during a workout that lasted a little more than two hours. Lambert also received first-team reps, while Eason continued to work with the third team.
"I've really been pleasantly surprised with Brice," Smart said in a news conference.
Ramsey, a 6-foot-3, 213-pounder from Kingsland, Ga., has completed 45 of 74 passes (60.8 percent) for 582 yards in two seasons for the Bulldogs. He has thrown four career touchdown passes and four career interceptions, including two interceptions last October in a 38-10 loss to Alabama.
The Crimson Tide defense last season was coordinated by Smart, and Ramsey's 1-for-6 showing for 20 yards with the two pickoffs resulted in a single-game passer rating of minus-22.
Smart said Tuesday that he thinks Ramsey has been "too casual" and that he needs to be more assertive and show the coaching staff he wants the job.
"He's been trying to do a better job with that," Smart said.
Ramsey, who continues to be the team's top punter, isn't the only player being motivated by the new coach. Junior outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter is facing continual challenges as well after a sophomore season in which he totaled just 19 tackles after collecting 41 as a freshman.
According to Smart, the 6-6, 242-pound Carter had the most ball disruptions during Saturday's workout.
"A lot of people told me when I got here that he wasn't physically tough, so now we are trying to challenge him," Smart said. "I think he is a guy who you have to push and challenge constantly."
Georgia will hold its two-day coaching clinic Thursday and Friday before taking off for Easter weekend. Smart said the first spring scrimmage will be next Saturday.
Smart confirmed that sophomore defensive end Jonathan Ledbetter will be suspended for the Sept. 3 opener against North Carolina for his recent arrest on misdemeanor charges of underage possession of alcohol and possession of false identification. Ledbetter was denied admission early Sunday morning into the Silver Dollar Bar in downtown Athens, and the arresting officer described the 6-4, 251-pounder as "very inebriated."
"Jonathan made a huge mistake," Smart said. "He embarrassed himself. He embarrassed our team, his family and our family. I'm really disappointed in Jonathan. He knows that we can't have that behavior.
"You're held to a higher standard when you come to the University of Georgia, and he should know that."
Smart added that Ledbetter spoke with the team and was remorseful.
Odds and ends
Junior inside linebacker Reggie Carter, who underwent shoulder surgery in early October, was not wearing a black, noncontact jersey during Tuesday's practice. Smart was not overly thrilled with the workout, citing a lack of focus. Sophomore receiver Jayson Stanley is sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.