WATCH: Nolan Smith still contributing to Georgia despite season-ending injury

Nolan Smith made a slightly surprising decision to come back to Georgia for another season. Unfortunately, things have not panned out how many thought, with Smith missing a majority of the season due to a pec injury.

Even so, the linebacker is still in full force on Saturday night against Ohio State in the College Football Playoff semifinal. He might not have pads on but Smith is still on the field supporting his teammate in a jersey.

During a break in the action, the ESPN broadcast took some time to highlight the leadership abilities of Smith. Kirk Herbstreit even called him the Nakobe Dean of this year’s Georgia defense, comparing him to the heartbeat of the 2021 national championship-winning defense.

Despite a season-ending injury, Nolan Smith is still making an impact 👏 @GeorgiaFootball pic.twitter.com/tkPakkQmj9

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) January 1, 2023

Smith has played in eight games this season for Georgia, last appearing in a game against Florida in late October. He has recorded 18 tackles with seven tackles for a loss and three sacks. Had he not injured his pec, Smith would be on the field playing his heart out for the Bulldogs.

Depending on how Saturday night goes, Smith may never have another opportunity to wear a Georgia jersey again. He is more than likely off to the 2023 NFL Draft, where he is still projected as a top pick despite his injury.

But there is a positive coming out of the injury for Smith. Moments like these have shown the true kind of leader he is, something NFL teams will seriously take into account. Getting to know players personally during the draft process can be just as important as play on the field sometimes.

It’s quite possible nobody on the sideline wants to beat Ohio State more than Smith. In what could be viewed as a sad story of him losing a senior season, Smith has been able to build positives out of it.