#29 Christopher Smith | Senior | DB
On his weight gain during the off-season and how he has been at corner so far this spring…
“Coach [Scott] Sinclair and the rest of that staff have just been really on me about gaining weight and stuff like that, and I’m still going. I’m trying to get up to 195, 200. At corner, I got a couple reps in today. It was nice to get back into the swing of things and stuff like that. I’m just going to keep going and keep adjusting and make sure I’m improving in all areas on the field.”
On whether he has reached out to Tykee Smith since his announcement that he would be joining the program…
“I talked to him a little bit before he committed, and then on the day he committed I just congratulated and welcomed him to the family. The little bit of film I have seen on him, he is a spectacular player. He’s really physical, really great in coverage and things like that. He could definitely help our team. He’s a great player.”
On how he and his teammates know the corner unit will be able to compete with other teams come the fall…
“We know we can get where we want to go because we know we’re always going to be working hard towards our goals and things like that. Those guys at corner- they’re no slouches. They go out there and work hard and play like everybody else. The whole unit is constantly working to get better, and every unit on this field is going to get better. We can be straight sound all across the board by the time that first game comes.”
#10 Kearis Jackson | Junior | WR
On his take on the defensive backs so far this spring…
“So far, it’s been a great competition between us and the DBs. They give us good work, very competitive. We’re just ready for being able to get better every day by going against those guys. We enjoy going against them because not only are we making them better, they’re making us better as well.”
On the receivers and how they are responding to George Pickens’ absence…
“Without George being here, we do have a talented room. That’s what we do in recruiting, and Coach Hankton has done a great job of bringing guys in. With George being out, we do have other guys who can be able to step up and reach those opportunities with George being down. I’m glad that we’ve got this spring, unlike last year, to be able to see what everybody will be able to do.”
On his chemistry with JT Daniels and how they have been able to build a relationship…
“With JT being here now, we’re just trying to work on building that chemistry. He came along late in the season last year, but now, getting to have a full spring with him, being able to do the pre-spring workouts, being able to throw with him, just being able to build that chemistry, it’s been fun working with him and I’m just excited for this season.”
#18 JT Daniels | Junior | QB
On what being a quarterback means to him…
“I think, first and foremost, it starts with how you approach everything you do, especially as a veteran now. This is my fourth season in college football. I remember when I was coming in how I looked up to the older guys in the building, and I can only imagine that other guys look up to the Lewis Cines [and] guys that have been here for a while, and others that have played a lot of ball like myself. The first thing is how it starts with how you approach everything, and I think it’s also really important how I’ve focused on is just my overall body language and my mannerisms. I’ve always been just more of a laid-back kind of guy, especially on the field. I’ve never been a hype man, that’s just never been my thing. But I’ve put more effort into not just words of encouragement but trying to keep everyone focused on task if someone is not doing the right thing. And if I’m not doing the right thing, someone is going to tell me, and I’ve got to do the same thing and dish it out. But there’s just a lot of areas of leadership that I’ve really tried to take a step.”
On when he took the role as leader on the team…
“I think that something we talk about a lot as a team is that everybody on the team is a leader, whether you are just joining and you are a walk-on, or if you are a Jamaree Salyer, or a Lewis [Cine], you’re [Ameer] Speed, or anyone of them. I think obviously your role expands the more you play, and you just have a bigger platform in that area. But I think that since I’ve been here, I’ve always tried to take the approach of first leading by example, then once I think you earn a certain level of trust in your teammates, from them seeing how you work and knowing that you’re here for them, then you can start being more vocal and doing more things.”
On what it means that Coach Smart named him this season’s starting QB…
“The first thing is that it is a really great honor to be a starting Division I quarterback, especially at a program like Georgia. And to hear from your coach that you do try really hard to show out for, it’s something that is really cool to hear. And it definitely is a confidence booster just to hear that your coach believes in you.”