Kirby Smart credits Will Muschamp for post-spring defensive prediction

Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart recalled on Monday that it was assistant Will Muschamp who predicted that they would have a dominant defensive line back in the spring.

Many predicted Georgia would be a top-5 program in 2021 but few estimated that the team’s biggest strength would be their defensive front.

“I’ve never been overconfident, if anything, I’ve been the opposite,” Smart said. “I don’t remember much about the spring now that you ask that question. Thought we were going to be high-powered on offense and then George (Pickens) went down, Jermaine didn’t make it to the spring.

“I don’t remember the front dominating like this,” he continued. “When I first realized was the Clemson game. I had coaches on staff, including Will (Muschamp), who said it was a really good front. He thought it was going to be special and he was right. He’s been around a lot of good ones and seen them.”

Muschamp, former head coach at Florida and South Carolina, could see Georgia’s front dominating from his defensive analyst role. What he could not predict is Georgia’s defense overall holding opponents to 7.6 points per game, better even than the 2011 Alabama defense. The Dawgs have racked up 34 sacks in 10 games.

“There’s just a lot of good players up there,” Smart said. “Their confidence exudes itself to the team. It carries over and probably helps the secondary.”

Smart provides DL injury updates

The Georgia Bulldogs held the high-flying Volunteer offense to 17 points on Saturday. However, there were a couple of injury scares with Nolan Smith and Devonte Wyatt. Kirby Smart gave updates on both heading into Week 12.

“Nolan [Smith], he should be fine,” Smart said during his Monday morning press conference. “He’s got an elbow that’s dinged up. Shouldn’t be an issue.”

The former five-star recruit and No. 1 player in the class of 2019, Smith has been a huge piece of this season’s Georgia defense. The junior has 34 total tackles this season, but more importantly for the Bulldogs, he has been the leader of their front seven. He also has an interception and has forced two fumbles.

Grabbing his wrist when walking off the field, Smith went back to the locker room during Saturday’s game against Tennessee.

Moving onto Wyatt, Smart said he should be good to go as well. The defensive tackle “had a little scare earlier in the game but is not worried about his health.

During his post-game interview, Smart thought the original diagnosis was going to be worse.

“I haven’t even talked to (medical director) Ron [Courson],” Smart said. “I know one time I went out there, and Devonte sprained his knee, he thought. One time, the other guy got hit in the ribs. I’ll check with Ron and see. Hopefully, those guys are OK.”

On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report.