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Nolan Smith shares how Georgia defense prepared for Bryce Young

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•06/03/23•

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Georgia (4)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 10: University of Georgia inside linebacker Nolan Smith #4 of the Bulldog football team sacks quarterback Bryce Young #9 from the University of Alabama on the final play of the game in the 2022 College Football Playoff Championship game during a game between University of Georgia and University of Alabama at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Perry McIntyre/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

While Georgia was chasing the 2021 national championship, they were also literally chasing after Alabama quarterback Bryce Young. After a dominant SEC Championship game from the Heisman Trophy winner, the Bulldogs did a better job on Young during the title game. The likes of Nolan Smith made a huge impact and to no surprise, it began in practice.

Smith explained how Georgia would prepare to face off against somebody like Young, explaining the rabbit drill. Basically, the players chased around a shifty scout team player and try to bring him to the ground. Ladd McConkey was one name Smith specifically mentioned.

“When we played guys like Bryce Young, we did this thing called the rabbit drill,” Smith said via Green Light with Chris Long. “Coach would line up a 5×5 cone and we would chase our scout slot receiver. We use to chase around Ladd McConkey and he would bring some of the shiftiest teams down there on our team. For 10 seconds, we just had to chase him just to get you ready, just to get your motor right.”

In the SEC Championship loss, Georgia was not able to get to Young once. He torched them for 421 yards and three touchdowns in a game many thought Alabama would lose. The script completely changed in the national championship game, though.

Young was sacked three different times and also threw an interception. One was via Keele Ringo, something Georgia fans will never forget in their lives. Staying patient while Young was scrambling and chasing him around paid off in a big way for the Bulldogs.

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To make matters even better, McConkey has proven to be quite shifty for opponents as well. Turns out, Georgia views him as a good way to scout Bryce Young. They will be thankful he was able to use those abilities as a wide receiver when connecting with Stetson Bennett.

Now with the Philadelphia Eagles, Smith will have plenty of chasing to do against NFC East quarterbacks as well. Young is a tricky person to track down and will be amongst one of the most elusive in the NFL, even as a rookie. The rabbit drill has Smith prepared to get after the likes of Dak Prescott and Daniel Jones.

The national championship he added as a player is not too shabby either. Especially getting a head-to-head win against Alabama and lifting the College Football Playoff trophy in Indianapolis.