Arian Smith seeing results from extra time developing WR skills

ATHENS, Ga. — Arian Smith has been a household name at Georgia since the moment he stepped foot on campus. One of the fastest kids in his signing class, UGA fans knew who he was and were excited to see his impact play out on the field. He’s had moments, including one in the College Football Playoffs that’ll be remembered forever in Athens. However, it’s been just moments – few and far between – leaving the Bulldogs wanting more.

Well, now may be the time for exactly that. This spring, its seeming like Smith is coming onto the scene with more consistency. With the help of a new receivers coach James Coley, offensive coordinator Mike Bobo and extra time developing his skills as a pass catcher, Smith is starting to gain confidence again – something that could be dangerous for all of Georgia’s opponents if he can keep it up.

“I think we’ve made a concerted effort to spend more time on developing Arian,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said. “When he decided to come back, I said, ‘Look, I want there to be a purpose with you coming back. Like, where are the areas of growth?’ We’ve done some things during special team period. He’s been a really dominant special teams player, and he knows that. He loves that. He embraces that. That’s like where he made his first name is being a dominant special teams player. So we’ve taken some of those times that he’s invested four years in special teams work, and we’ve allowed him to really grow as a wideout. I think it’s helped him do that.”

As a freshman during the 2020 COVID season, Smith played in just four games – battling injuries early on that limited his action. When on the field though, there was an impact made. His first career catch went for a touchdown against South Carolina, and his second went for 55 yards in the Peach Bowl win over undefeated Cincinnati.

Smith would once again battle injuries in 2021, being limited to four games for a second straight season. However, the above statement remained true: when he was on the field, he made an impact. This time, the Lakeland, Fla. native caught three passes – two of which went for touchdowns on explosive plays of 35 yards or longer.

Despite the seemingly constant case of the injury bug, Smith’s speed and natural ability to make big plays continued to earn himself opportunities. That played a big part in the 2022 College Football Playoff semifinal Peach Bowl victory against Ohio State as Smith caught more than one pass in a game for the first time in his career, turning the three receptions into 129 yards and touchdown. However, in what was his healthiest season to date in 2023, Smith made his smallest impact – something you wouldn’t find anybody in Athens having bet on.

“He’s had some plays that I think he’d be the first to tell you he wished he had back,” Smart said about Smith. “He’s had some big plays, too. I’m pleased with where Arian is. I hope he keeps getting better and keeps growing and trying to be an explosive playmaker for us.”

Smith continuing to grow and get better as a receiver for Georgia certainly would be beneficial for the Bulldogs, who lose three of their top five pass catchers from this past season. Now, as the oldest player in his position group both in terms of age and experience in Georgia’s system, Smith is trying to do what he hasn’t up to this point in his career: combine a healthy season with his ability to have an impact on games.

Teammate Dominic Lovett says he’s seen Smith have a ‘swagger’ about him this spring that’s helped create the surge in production on the field. It’s not an arrogance or cockiness, rather confidence, and that’s exactly what he needs.

“I would say he is the bright light of the room, always uplifting, always in a good mood, ready to go and ready to practice. He’s like the spark plug of the room that gets all of us going,” Lovett said. “So that’s probably the biggest thing I’ve seen from him. Also, he’s stepped into that leadership role of the room. That’s probably the main thing.”

According to reports and backed up by the comments of his head coach this week, Smith had an impressive scrimmage last week in Georgia’s first outing of the spring at Sanford Stadium. The Bulldogs will be back between the hedges on Saturday before putting their work on display for all to see the following week for G-Day. Kickoff time to the annual spring game is set for 1:00 p.m. ET on SEC Network+.