Georgia fans received some troublesome news on Wednesday when head coach Kirby Smart released a statement saying that transfer defensive back Tykee Smith sustained a foot injury in practice this week. This news is especially worrisome because of the lack of depth at defensive back.

Luckily, Smart also said that both Smith and tight end Darnell Washington are day-to-day with their injuries, giving hope that they could maybe suit up by week one. Even with the injury, senior defensive back Christopher Smith has taken a different approach as a leader of that unit during this fall camp period.

“My mindset was totally different,” said Smith. “I was way more locked in than previous years, especially my freshman and sophomore years. During my junior and senior years, I’ve approached practice way different. I come in locked in, watch film, like I said I try to give advice to everyone on the field as much as possible, trying to gain knowledge from the coaches and other players… I want to improve and be able to be the best for my team.”

After rarely seeing the field in his first two seasons in Athens, Smith played in all 10 games during the 2020 season, mainly making an impact at safety. With the injury to Tykee Smith, who was projected to start at the STAR position, the Bulldogs have had to adjust the roles of a few players. Christopher Smith offered more insight into what practices have been like since.

“We have several different people working [at STAR], said Smith.” “I got a couple of reps today and yesterday. It is good for me to be able to get out there and get some reps at STAR and learn a new position. DK (Derion Kendrick) has been a great player for us. He is very locked in at practice and does not take a day off.”

Latavious Brini is another name that Georgia fans will want to keep an eye on as he played mostly at the STAR position last year. Smith said Brini is “a vulture,” and he has “full confidence in him.”

For Smith’s full remarks: