Kirby Smart highlights UGA’s success with walk-ons

During Tuesday’s post-practice press conference, Coach Smart was asked about his success recruiting walk-ons. Smart replied:

There are thousands of kids wanting it. The hard part is deciphering what you’re going to take because some of the walk-ons that we get have opportunities – have scholarship offers. Some of our preferred walk-ons have turned down full rides from schools, and they want to come to Georgia. Maybe because they want to go to school at Georgia, maybe because they want to play at Georgia, but we’ve got a pretty good track record of the PWO’s. We only get a few of those a year. So, we have a limited number of spots for an unlimited number of people. We don’t have to go beg people to walk on, people are dying to do that…We try to get our needs out of the walk-on class and, every now and then, in our state especially, you got tremendous high school players who get overlooked. There’s no greater example of that than Dan Jackson. Several guys, when I first got here, Prather Hudson. These guys were really good football players that contributed. Aaron Davis, I think was one when I got here. They’re just really good athletes…

Smart (and UGA) have a long history of success with walk-on contributors. In addition to the players mentioned by Kirby, other well know names have begun their Georgia careers as walk-ons:

 (Nate) Taylor and (Billy) Bennett are in there. So is Verron Haynes, who caught the famous Hobnail Boot pass in 2001. There’s also Richard Tardits, who ended his career as Georgia’s all-time sack leader. And Cory Phillips, who caught four touchdown passes against Kentucky in 2000. And Mike Fisher, a starter on the 1980 national championship team.

Dawg Nation

Players who walk on at UGA are divided into categories – walk-ons, recruited walk-ons and preferred walk-ons. the distinction is essential. Preferred walk-ons get the most benefits. They are guaranteed a spot on the team and practice with the team during off-season drills. They received most of the perks of a full-scholarship player, except tuition payments, but the State’s Hope Scholarship helps cover tuition for in-state PWOs.

Kirby Smart’s Tuesday Presser – November 15, 2022

On the defense’s lack of forced turnovers in two of the past three games…

“We talk about it a lot. We try to change up drills. We show NFL clips of turnovers. We show all SEC turnovers. We talk a lot about it, and I thought that we actually did our best job this year of trying to punch balls out and strip balls out on these guys because they had a lot of loose plays where the balls out in the open. We just didn’t get any. We certainly got to do that to offset of our own.”

On the team’s preparation for Kentucky’s offense…
“Well, you have to adapt on defense. You adapt or you die. So, you have no choice but to adapt – it’s what you have to do. It’s been good. They enjoy it more when we get to show clips of the 49ers and NFL teams. That intrigues the players a lot more, playing against an NFL style offense. It motivates them a little more because they know that a lot of teams look at those tapes. With their coordinator coming from the NFL, it’s more the kind of style of what they’ll play against at the next level. So, that part excites them.”

On how Jalen Carter’s ability to force turnovers…

“He’s explosive, he’s quick, he’s disruptive, he’s in the backfield. He’s on the quarterbacks, in terms of when you get to quarterbacks before they throw it, you typically have a shot at getting a force out, and when you get running backs in the backfield, maybe before they’re passed line of scrimmage, you got a shot to get an arm on the ball or knock it out. He’s certainly a powerful, explosive player. So, those guys tend to have more turnovers, outside of just strip outs.”

On if getting to play in and potentially win the SEC Championship game was a motivator for the team…

“Yeah, we really haven’t. We haven’t talked about the SEC championship game or going to the SEC championship. That’s just not our conversation. We keep our conversations relative to what’s one foot in front of us. It really has never been mentioned as a goal, nobody talks about that. We just talk about Kentucky.”

On the athletes that were recruiting at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic playing above expectations…

“I would venture to say, I don’t know this for a fact, it’s just my opinion, that everything would be off that year because there was no true evaluation. So like, what are you evaluating it on? What are you basing it on? The people who evaluate that in the first place, I don’t think of them as experts at it, per se. I don’t want to take their opinion over my own. I think that’s something that we do well as a staff, is evaluate. So, regardless of which year, or which rating, or what people said, we go back and do a review of how those classes performed, how each guy did kind of after three years, because you can’t get a real evaluation until then. So, those guys really haven’t had enough time to be evaluated. It’s hard to say they outperform their rating because I don’t know the rating. I don’t care about the rating. I care about our evaluation of them, and we think our evaluation is the most important.”

On the difficulty level of getting talented walk-ons…

“It’s not hard to find the pool. There are thousands of kids wanting it. The hard part is deciphering what you’re going to take, because some of the walk-ons that we get have opportunities have scholarship offers. Some of our preferred walk-ons have turned down full rides from schools and they want to come to Georgia. Maybe because they want to go to school at Georgia maybe because they want to play at Georgia, but we’ve got a pretty good track record of the PWO’s. We only get a few of those a year. So, we have a limited number of spots for an unlimited number of people. We don’t have to go beg people to walk-on, people are dying to do that. We get countless requests of that. We’re more selective of who we bring out there because some years we need offensive linemen, some years we need defensive backs, some years we’re short at running back. We try to get our needs out of the walk-on class and, every now and then, in our state especially, you got tremendous high school players who get overlooked. There’s no greater example of that than Dan Jackson. Several guys, when I first got here, Prather Hudson. These guys were really good football players that contributed. Aaron Davis I think was one when I got here. They’re just really good athletes. So, we’re very blessed to have the opportunity to bring in the walk-ons we have.”

On how he evaluates how far the offensive line has come…

“I think we spoke about it before, I had high expectations of this offensive line from the beginning, and I’ve been very pleased with this offensive line group. I try to compare them relative to other offensive lines, not other Georgia offensive lines, other offensive lines we face in the current year. Because collectively, I don’t know that the quality of football right now is as good as it’s been in two, three, four years ago. It’s just hard to find really good quality units in all aspects. That’s across the NFL, it’s across college football, it’s across high school football, everybody you talk to. I’m very pleased with the way our unit has performed. Could they do better? Yeah, but I’ve been I’ve been very pleased with the depth, the use of the depth and how hard those guys work. So, I think Stacy’s [Searels] done a tremendous job with them.”

On who has stepped on the team with Adonai Mitchell sidelined…

“Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint probably the most. Ladd McConkey and Marcus have played the most snaps, and Marcus has been beat up and banged up, he’s been dealing with some injuries last two weeks and he kind of recovers during the week and then gets out there and goes best he can in the game. But the beneficiary has been everybody. The backs, we’ve gone a little more 20 speeds, the tight ends, we’ve gone more 12, when you have less receivers then you have to use other angles. Dillon Bell has played the X where he’s been, but Marcus doubles as an X and a Z. So, I would say Dillon, Ladd and Adonai probably the most.”

On the team’s approach to Kentucky after it lost to Vanderbilt this past weekend…

“They’ve had a good approach. I think there’s a major league respect for Kentucky in our program because the the kids that have played against Kentucky, it’s been a bloodbath, man. Like, the game last year was so physical, so tough, rugged and they run a lot of physical runs, we like to run a lot of physical runs, and you end up just clanging against each other. When you come out of the game, you’re really sore. So, that was that way that 14 to three or whatever game it was, maybe up there in 2020. Man, we had guys dropping like flies, it was just really physical. So, our guys respect Kentucky, I respect Coach Stoops and what they did last week has no relevance to what they’ll do this week.”

On how he assesses the inside linebacker’s development…

“They’ve done a good job. They need more depth in there. Trezmen [Marshall] and Rian [Davis] being back has really been a huge help to Jamon Dumas-Johnson [Pop] and Smael [Mondon] because you can’t really play two inside linebackers and get through a game, you got to have three or four to rotate. It’s like half defensive line, half defensive backs. They got to have some rest and some recovery, and those guys have stepped up and helped them a lot. E.J. [Lightsey] is getting better, Jalon Walker is getting better. Coach Glenn Schumann does a great job with that room, he prepares them from day one. They’ve done really well considering who they had to replace.”

On where Smael Mondon has developed…

“Probably maturity, being able to handle failure, mistakes. He struggled a little bit in the Missouri game when he had the injury, he made a couple mental errors, and then he bounced back after the injury, and he’s played with a lot more confidence since then.”

On Javon Bullard and Adonai Mitchell’s status for this week…

“I’m hopeful for both of them.”

On Jalen Carter’s performance since coming back from injury…

“He’s been good. He’s a good player, man.”

On how the team tries to combat the weather during games…

“I don’t know any tricks for that. Players got their tights; they got their leggings. They got a different wardrobe they can wear, but outside of that, there’s not a lot you can do. Practicing in it, prepare for it, worry about the guy across from you and not the conditions. Usually, you get good outcomes when you focus on the task at hand and not the things you can’t control.”

On if he has spoken to the team about the University of Virginia shooting…

“We talked a little bit about it today. I didn’t talk about it yesterday because I didn’t know much, and I didn’t know many of the details and still don’t. I certainly got a lot of respect for Tony Elliot. I’ve known him, he’s been a good friend of mine since he was at Clemson, and I recruited at Alabama. We always spent time together on the road. I just cannot fathom having to make that call to someone’s parents. Carla Williams is up there, who I have a lot of respect for, and she did a tremendous job here. To have to go through that with their team and what they’re experiencing, our hearts and prayers go out to them.”

Smael Mondon and Chaz Chambliss Interviews – November 15, 2022

On preparing for the challenge that the Kentucky offense poses… 

“One of the things we have to do to get ready for a team like this is to have physical practices. We like when a team is just trying to run downhill at us because we’ll be able to play physical with them.” 

On where he thinks he’s grown the most this season… 

“I would say my confidence level has grown the most this season. Going into this season, I had never started before, so now that I’ve seen what I can do, it’s given me confidence that I can build off.” 

On staying healthy personally and as a team this late in the season… 

“People say in the SEC, nobody is going to be fully healthy after that first game, so as far as dealing with your body, you have to get iced up more, and get your rest. I don’t think people take it into account as much, but sleep is a huge factor. I still get treatment because I like to be proactive with injuries rather than reactive. I just try to treat injuries before they get worse and become a lingering injury.”

On what has stood out to him about Kentucky’s offense…

“The difference of the last couple weeks. Kentucky plays with five tight ends. They go with 14, 13 and 12-person personnel. A lot different than what we have faced the last couple of weeks.”

On the defense preparing for Kentucky’s offense…

“We just get back to our base stuff. Going back to 12, 13-personnel packages and playing hard nose football.”

On creating turnovers and ending possessions for the other team…

“We all say, it is points when you get the ball out. It is just a momentum swing every time you get a turnover.”

On forcing field goals and not letting other teams into the end zone…

“We always call it putting out the fire. We know that when offense gets a turnover or something does bad on special teams, we are able to respond. We get better the tougher it gets. When it is in the red area, it gets tougher. We have gotten better at that.”

WBB: Georgia Hosts Kennesaw State Tonight

Georgia (3-0) vs. Kennesaw State (1-2)

Wednesday, Nov. 16 | 7 p.m. ET | Stegeman Coliseum (10,523) | Athens, Ga.

TV: SECN+ (Matt Stewart and Anne Marie Armstrong)

Radio: Georgia Bulldog Sports Network (Jeff Dantzler)

Watch Link: Click Here

Listen Link: Click Here

Live Stats: Click Here

Opening Tip

» Georgia brings a 3-0 record into its Wednesday night matchup against Kennesaw State. Tip time is set for 7 p.m. ET inside Stegeman Coliseum. 

» The Lady Bulldogs own a 4-0 record against the Owls all time, with the last meeting coming in 2019. Georgia won that contest, 80-65, in Athens. 

» Kennesaw State is coached by second-year head coach Octavia Blue. The Owls return 78.3 percent of their scoring from last season, including guard Amani Johnson, who is poised to break the Owls’ career scoring mark. 

» There will be a familiar face on the sidelines Wednesday night. Drew Landers, son of legendary former Georgia coach Andy Landers, serves as Kennesaw State’s assistant coach. 

» Georgia’s perfect record so far this season marks the best start through three games of any head coach in program history. 

» Preseason All-SEC honoree and Naismith Trophy Watch List candidate Diamond Battles has led Georgia. She has scored in double figures in all three games, and paced the team in scoring against Coastal Carolina and Jacksonville State. 

» Georgia has limited each of its first three opponents below 40 percent shooting, has held a 69-35 advantage in trips to the free throw line and owns a +12 rebound edge (46.3-34.3). 

» Georgia has used the same starting five in all three games. Battles, Chapman, Warren, B. Smith and Nicholson account for 70 percent of the team’s scoring. 

» This marks the 50th season of Georgia Lady Bulldog basketball. This historic program ranks 15th all time in win percentage (.694) and 16th in total wins (1,041). Georgia ranks second nationally in NCAA tournament appearances with 35 and is still one of only three programs to boast a winning record every season since 1981. 

ICYMI: Stetson Bennett/offensive line named award semifinalists

Georgia senior quarterback Stetson Bennett has been named a Davey O’Brien Award semifinalist while the offensive line who protects him has been included as a Joe Moore Award semifinalist, according to separate announcements Tuesday.

Bennett is one of 20 semifinalists for the Davey O’Brien Award, which is given to the nation’s top quarterback.  After also earning semifinalist honors in 2021, Bennett is one of five players from the Southeastern Conference on this year’s list.

The next step in the process will be to select the award’s three finalists based on voting from the Davey O’Brien National Selection Committee as well as the second round of the Fan Vote, which will take place on the award’s social media accounts. 

To participate in the Davey O’Brien Fan Vote, fans must like the original Davey O’Brien Award post highlighting the quarterback. The three finalists will be tabbed on Nov. 29.  The winner will be announced live on Dec. 8 on The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.

How the Bulldogs in the NFL fared in Week 10

GIANTS 24, TEXANS 16

Lawrence Cager, TE: Hauled in his first NFL touchdown reception, catching two passes for nine yards after being elevated from New York’s practice squad. Reverted to the practice squad on Monday.

Tae Crowder, ILB: Posted one tackle for the Giants.

Andrew Thomas, OL: Played all 69 snaps at left tackle, plus four more on special teams, and helped New York roll up 367 total yards. 

STEELERS 20, SAINTS 10

George Pickens, WR: Scored his first NFL rushing touchdown on a 1-yard run and finished with three catches for 32 yards and two carries for 23 yards.

PACKERS 31, COWBOYS 28 (OT)

Quay Walker, ILB: Recorded eight tackles, including one for loss, and defended a pass for the Packers. Ranks second among NFL rookies with 70 tackles.

Devonte Wyatt, DL: Appeared on 14 defensive plays with one tackle for Green Bay.

LIONS 31, BEARS 30

D’Andre Swift, RB: Rushed for a touchdown for the Lions, finishing with six carries for six yards and one catch for six yards.

TITANS 17, BRONCOS 10

Chris Conley, WR: Was on the Titans’ inactive list as a healthy scratch.

Ben Jones, OL: Played all 62 offensive snaps and helped Tennessee accumulate 307 total yards.

Monty Rice, ILB: Started for the first time this season for the Titans, posting seven tackles, including one for loss.

DOLPHINS 39, BROWNS 17

John Jenkins, DL: Appeared on 11 defensive plays with one tackle and two special teams plays for Miami.

Channing Tindall, OLB: Logged 13 special teams plays with no stats for the Dolphins.

Nick Chubb, RB: Rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries and hauled in three passes for 18 yards. Leads the NFL with 11 touchdowns and stands third with 904 yards.

CHIEFS 27, JAGUARS 17

Mecole Hardman, WR: Was on Kansas City’s inactive list with an abdominal injury.

Malik Herring, DL: Appeared on 13 defensive plays with a tackle and five special teams plays for the Chiefs.

Tyson Campbell, DB: Had two tackles for the Jaguars.

Travon Walker, OLB: Recorded two tackles and a quarterback hurry for Jacksonville. Ranks fifth among NFL rookies with 2.5 sacks.

BUCCANEERS 21, SEAHAWKS 16

Jake Camarda, P: Punted two times for a 61.0-yard average, kicked off four times, and held on three extra points and a field goal attempt for Tampa Bay in Germany. Stands sixth in the NFL in net punting (43.8) and eighth in average (49.0).

CARDINALS 27, RAMS 17

A.J. Green, WR: Caught two passes for 10 yards and a touchdown for Arizona.

Jonathan Ledbetter, DL: Appeared on 17 defensive plays and three special teams plays with no stats for the Cardinals.

Leonard Floyd, OLB: Recorded three tackles, including a sack, for the Rams.

Derion Kendrick, DB: Appeared on six special teams plays and two defensive plays with no stats for Los Angeles.

Matthew Stafford, QB: Was on the Rams’ inactive list due to a concussion.

49ERS 22, CHARGERS 16

Charlie Woerner, TE: Appeared on 24 special teams plays and four offensive plays with no stats for San Francisco.

Tre’ McKitty, TE: Caught three passes for 21 yards for Los Angeles.

Sony Michel, RB: Logged eight offensive plays, including a 2-yard rush, for the Chargers.

Jamaree Salyer, OL: Appeared on all 58 offensive plays, plus four more on special teams, as Los Angeles rolled up 238 total yards.

COLTS 25, RAIDERS 20

Zamir White, RB: Appeared on five special teams plays and two offensive plays, losing a yard on two carries for the Raiders.

COMMANDERS 32, EAGLES 21

Nakobe Dean, ILB: Appeared on 23 special teams plays and had one tackle for the Eagles.

VIKINGS 33, BILLS 30 (OT)

James Cook, RB: Rushed five times for 22 yards for Buffalo.

Isaiah McKenzie, WR: Caught four passes for 37 yards and rushed once for 18 yards for the Bills.

PANTHERS 25, FALCONS 15

Lorenzo Carter, OLB: Had five tackles, including one for loss, for Atlanta.

On A Bye

Bengals: Trey Hill, OL

Patriots: David Andrews, OL; Isaiah Wynn, OL

Ravens: Ben Cleveland, OL; Justin Houston, OLB; Nick Moore, LS; Roquan Smith, ILB

Practice Squads

Cardinals: Javon Wims, WR

Chargers: Mark Webb, DB

Commanders: Jake Fromm, QB

Dolphins: Lamont Gaillard, OL

Falcons: Justin Shaffer, OL

Giants: Solomon Kindley, OL

Reserve Lists (IR, PUP, NFI, COVID)

Bengals: Elijah Holyfield, RB

Commanders: Eli Wolf, TE

Eagles: Jordan Davis, DE

Falcons: John FitzPatrick, TE

Giants: Azeez Ojulari, OLB

Packers: Eric Stokes, DB

Raiders: Jordan Jenkins, OLB

Vikings: Lewis Cine, DB

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