Kirby Smart comments on Julian Humphrey's apparent departure from program

Georgia cornerback Julian Humphrey announced plans to enter the transfer portal on Sunday. Only two problems: first, the portal isn’t open yet. That will happen officially next Monday, December 9th. Second, and more jarring in his decision, the Bulldogs still have important games to play. Around the country, players on teams who had their season end on Saturday – or are bound for a lesser bowl game than the Bulldogs – are announcing plans to enter the portal. Georgia however is headed for the SEC Championship Game this coming Saturday and likely College Football Playoffs afterwards.

UGA head coach Kirby Smart shared on the decision Sunday during a conference championship teleconference call.

“No status that I’m aware of. I saw the same thing you saw. We’re worried about the guys we’re going to play Texas with,” Smart said.

“Not sure of that,” he added when asked for further clarification on if he would be with the team for the matchup with Texas. “I’m worried about the guys that are here.”

Smart was asked later on in the availability for his general thoughts on the challenges of having to pursue chasing championships at the same time the transfer portal is open. While the portal isn’t officially open yet, it will be when the Bulldogs begin their chase for a College Football Playoff title.

“I’m not dealing with it. I’m worried about my team. I’ve learned in this thing that you worry about the players that are with you and not the ones that aren’t,” Smart said. “You focus on the guys that are out there on that field playing it and trying to win games that love the University of Georgia and want to compete and be part of it. You don’t really try to focus on the guys that aren’t because they’ll be looking for the next stop. We’ve got guys all over the place that aren’t here now that wish they could come back so it’s a decision each kid has to make.”

Smart did say he has not had a conversation with Humphrey as he’s “been at work today” and is “not chasing all the stuff around that (reporters) are looking at.” His concerns are on Texas.

In 11 games this season, starting 10 of those, Humphrey totaled 10 tackles and four pass breakups. He also made three appearances in 2022 during his first year on campus and was a rotational player for UGA last season, playing in nine contests making 11 stops before an injury ended his campaign.

Humphrey flirted with entering the transfer portal this time a year ago. He announced plans to enter although he never actually did. Less than 24 hours later, Humphrey reversed course.

Without Humphrey, Georgia is down another cornerback and left with just five: Daylen Everette, Daniel Harris, Ellis Robinson, Demello Jones and Ondre Evans. Harris split playing time with Humphrey throughout portions of the season before edging him out in each of the last three games, starting in his place each of the last two (UMass and Georgia Tech). Robinson, Jones and Evans are all three true freshmen with the first two being five-stars from the Class of 2024.

“All those guys – we have multiple guys but really it doesn’t have anything to do with the redshirt rule or not or postseason plans because don’t have many around that are threshold – but they continue to get better. They’re going to give us an opportunity to be better,” Smart said when asked about the cornerbacks further down the depth chart than Humphrey previously. “Ellis, particularly, and Demello, both have gotten better throughout the year. They have taken an abundance of reps with our twos and continue to grow up and get better.”

Kickoff time for Saturday’s SEC Championship Game against Texas is set for 4:00 p.m. ET on ABC. Georgia enters Atlanta as a slight underdog of less than a field goal per early odds released on Sunday.

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