Kirby Smart believes young defense needs game reps to prove worth

Kirby Smart led Georgia to the end of their title drought last season on the back of their phenomenal defense. However, the NFL wanted a piece of what he built, and now the Bulldogs coach is tasked with rebuilding the unit.

Can Smart help his young defense ascend to the level of their predecessors? He believes the Bulldogs will have to play some games to find out.

CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel

“Where are they right now, they’re inexperienced, young and hopefully talented as we think they are players. At some positions, more talented than others. But they’re in need of playing a game. I guess you could say that’s experience, right? So they’re in need on experience,” stated Smart. “More-so than experience, they need to play in a game. They need good things to happen, and reaffirm their good habits. Some of them need, maybe something adversity to happen and see how they respond. Because I’ve never coached a defensive player that didn’t give up a play, or get beat. So how are they going to respond to that in a game atmosphere, because it happens every day in practice. But how are they going to respond to that in a game atmosphere, I don’t know if we know that yet.

“That’s going to be the resiliency factor of where is this group, because I don’t think you really know until you going out in the game and have to execute it, in-front of the fans and a really good opponent.”

Nevertheless, Georgia will be a force to be reckoned with in 2022, and Kirby Smart recognizes their defense will only grow as they gain experience this season

Kirby Smart addresses whether Georgia has arrived: ‘That doesn’t exist’

Kirby Smart doesn’t have time for Georgia to get complacent with their spot in college football.

On an ever-changing landscape, everyone is always trying to knock you off your perch. Smart recognizes that, as he explained to the media ahead of his team’s season opener.

“You know, I just talked to the team about this concept of whether you think you’ve arrived, and you never do that. When would I ever say that we’re where we need to be, that doesn’t exist. It’s not like on a continuum, you have to keep going and we’re not there. We’re not close to there,” stated Smart. “We have a lot of work to do, and that’s always going to be the case, because you’re always trying to be the best. When you start thinking that alright, I’ve got things like I want them, that’s the first sign that you’re going to get complacent, and the first sign you’re going to get bit. That’s not what we want.

“I want each team to be the best team that they can possibly be. By going out as an organization and by recruiting really good football players with a really good staff, you give yourself the opportunity to have a really good football team every year at the University of Georgia. You have all the support and all the things that you need to be successful , and you just have to use them the right way. We try to do that the best we can.”

As you can see, Kirby Smart is keeping his team’s head on straight, even after reaching the pinnacle of college football. If Georgia wants to return to the top, it’s the only way to do it.