Why 2024 could be a breakout season for experienced Georgia WR Arian Smith

The Georgia Bulldogs are on a quest to return to their national championship glory after missing out on the College Football Playoff last season. Returning quarterback Carson Beck along with other key pieces from last year’s roster.

Wide receiver Arian Smith comes back to Athens for a fifth year with the Bulldogs as a speedster who’s shown flashes of electric playmaking throughout his career. But amid spring practice, Dawgs HQ‘s Jake Rowe revealed to On3’s Andy Staples that this upcoming season could be Smith’s breakout year.

“Yeah, I think that’s very possible,” Rowe said. “And one of the things about Arian Smith is that first he had a hard time staying healthy, for three years he had a hard time staying healthy. He finally stays healthy in his fourth year and his confidence just kind of plummets. He has some drops, has some struggles, it just wasn’t great. It just wasn’t.”

In his four seasons with the Bulldogs Smith has recorded just 20 catches for 539 yards and six touchdowns. Highlighted by some big-time, explosive plays in the postseason. But improved health and confidence in Smith could be the missing pieces in making him a frequent playmaker in Georgia’s offense for his final season.

“I think that one of the things that Georgia has done this year that you hear about in the program is they they’ve made a concerted effort, and Kirby [Smart] even kind of use that word,” Rowe said. “They’ve made an effort as a staff to just kind of pour into this guy and be like, ‘Alright listen, the top clock’s ticking for you, you’ve got a world of ability, you’re finally healthy. Let’s pour into you. Let’s get you ready. Let’s show that we’ve got confidence in you even if you may be struggling in confidence on your own.’ I think that’s been big for him this spring.”

Rowe also believes that the addition of wide receivers coach James Coley could bode well for Smith as a high-energy coach known for instilling confidence in his players. A confidence that’s been quite visible so far during spring practice in Athens.

“And you know one thing I’ll say about this is he has had a fantastic spring on the practice field and in the scrimmages, fantastic. There have been guys in the past, Matt Landers who went on to Arkansas, Justin Robinson who went to Mississippi State, who did things on the practice field and it never really translated to the football field,” Rowe explained. “This spring is the first time ever in Arian Smith’s career, and I think injuries have had a little bit to do with that and availability, first time I’ve ever heard a single peep about Arian Smith on the practice field. And it’s been fantastic spring for him and he’s made a lot of strides in it.”

Rowe even pointed to Smith being an aggressive and effective blocker in the run game for Georgia during spring practice, with all arrows pointing to 2024 being his best season yet for the Bulldogs. But Rowe made it clear that he does not believe he’ll be Georgia’s WR1 given their deep and talented wideout room.

“Georgia’s got Rara Thomas, and Colbie Young‘s had a great spring, Dominic Lovett‘s had a fantastic spring. They bring back a lot of receivers, Dillon Bell, maybe the best receiver they’ve got.

“But Arian Smith I think is on the trajectory to probably have his best season yet at Georgia,” Rowe concluded.

The losses of Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey are big ones for Georgia’s passing game, as it will surely be interesting to see who picks up the slack for the Bulldogs this season and how much Arian Smith will contribute.