Kirby Smart reveals how Georgia tested culture fit of 'COVID babies' recruiting class

COVID-19 took away a lot of things in the world, one of them being in-person recruiting. Risks had to be taken as coaches relied on junior/senior film to make evaluations during the 2021 recruiting cycle. Georgia was no different, especially with their ability to recruit across the country.

Kirby Smart found a way to make sure the players were going to be a good fit in Athens. He wanted to find out how badly recruits wanted to stand out to Georgia, asking them to perform their own workouts. The high school players would send videos back to Smart and his assistant coaches, showcasing what they could normally do in Athens throughout the cycle.

“I think the barometer for taking kinds in that class was ‘hey, let’s shoot out a video and sample and say we want you to workout. We want to see you do this workout.’ If kids took the time to actually set up a phone, video themselves doing these exercises — it meant they gave enough to really care,” Smart said when speaking to On3’s Andy Staples.

“A Javon Bullard really pops in my head because he’s out in his backyard because he couldn’t go anywhere else. And he was setting up cones and doing drills. I’m like, ‘this guy is in weeds, out there doing drills.’ If he’s willing to do this, there’s a good chance he’ll fit out culture.”

This method caused Georgia to find some great players in their 2021 class, one Smart dub as the “COVID babies.” He pointed out how 17 of the 20 signees are still in the program, something rare in today’s college football.

Georgia wound up with the No. 3 class in the country too, falling just behind Alabama and Ohio State. OT Amarius Mims, QB Brock Vandagriff, and LB Smael Mondon wound up as the five-star prospects with another 14 four-stars in there as well.

While it worked back during the 2021 cycle, Smart says Georgia does not use the method anymore. They are able to bring guys on campus and see them work out or go visit the player during practice. However, Smart would be open to asking recruits to do it again.

“We really haven’t but probably should,” Kirby Smart said. “Most of them say ‘I’ll be there in June to work out for camp.’ Or ‘you’re coming to see me, coach, in spring. Watch me there.’ Less of the ‘I’m going to initiate it myself.'”