Kirby Smart shares who has emerged as leaders in spring practice

Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart is looking for leaders heading into the 2022 season. With a ton of the national championship-winning team off to the NFL, it will be a completely new group for Smart, hoping some players step up in the leadership department.

On Thursday, the head coach shared who has emerged as that thus far into spring practice. He was able to name a few names from both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, mainly coming from the line of scrimmages.

“We got a lot of guys stepping up,” Smart said. “I think, Pop is doing a good job stepping up. Sedrick Van Pran, Warren Ericson are guys that continue to lead upfront. I think Robert (Beal Jr.) is trying to take on a little greater role. Kearis (Jackson). Nolan (Smith) has been tremendous at being vocal when things aren’t going right. There’s just a lot of guys. You see can just see them trying to assert themselves and encourage more than discourage.”

Smith could have declared for the 2022 NFL draft and been a high selection but decided to come back for another season and be a real star for the Bulldogs. He finished last year with 53 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, and 4.5 sacks, being one of the best on Georgia’s star-studded defensive line from last season.

Georgia will be looking to repeat this season and staying disciplined with leadership will be one of the main reasons they will have a chance to. Smart seems to be off to a good start, with plenty of experienced leadership stepping up early in the spring.

Kirby Smart announces position change for Arik Gilbert

Smart announced that Arik Gilbert, who was first moved to wide receiver when he came to Athens last season, will be moving back to his original position of tight end.

Gilbert stepped away from the team in 2021 after dealing with what Smart labeled “personal issues” in August. He recently rejoined the team following its national championship campaign and should be a full participant for Georgia moving forward. Gilbert — who initially committed to LSU out of high school as a tight end — has since flirted with a position change to wide receiver. It appears as though he will remain a tight end, per Smart.

“He’s a tight end,” Smart said on Thursday. “That’s probably what he’s going to develop at.”

Gilbert in his freshman season at LSU amassed 35 receptions for 368 yards and two touchdowns, appearing largely as a tight end. He did, however, start at wide receiver for the Tigers against Alabama, a game in which he reeled in five receptions for 29 yards.