Tykee Smith gaining confidence now, back on field after ACL injury
Georgia safety Tykee Smith came into last season expected to be a leader in a new-look Bulldog secondary. That season, four defensive backs were drafted in the NFL Draft, another was picked up as an undrafted free agent and several others transferred out. Smith, who transferred in from West Virginia, was to be coached again by his former defensive backs coach in Morgantown where he was an All-American caliber player.
All that was on the table for the Philadelphia, Penn. native until injuries set him back. A foot injury kept him out of the first five games. He played briefly against Auburn in the sixth game of the season before tearing his ACL the following week in practice. Season over. Now, less than a year removed from all those setbacks, Smith is back on the field again for Georgia and trying to make an impact.
“I’m still working to get back. Kind of slow playing it, the coaches have done a good job of helping me get back. We’re doing a lot of extra work,” Smith said. “I’m just trying to get the feel back, feel comfortable. It’s all about confidence and trusting my knee. That’s the biggest thing … Me getting better and better is basically about learning the defense. I’m still learning, playing more than one position right now, so basically learning the defense and getting more confidence and getting a feel back for the game.”
“I’m not focused on last season,” he added. “I’m just focused on this year and getting back to what I was, trying to get to 100% so I can help the team as best as possible.”
In Smith’s eyes, helping the team includes providing leadership, experience and depth. He’s done that so far this season with five tackles in two games, tied for sixth best on the team.
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And those three things that Smith believes he can bring to the table are three things that Kirby Smart always harps on. The coach’s comments on Smith after the game Saturday certainly back up the idea that he can be a contributor for Georgia this season.
“He’s gaining more confidence. He hit some higher speed this week and we played him more,” Smart said. “He got an opportunity to play a little more. He’s growing and getting better. He’s got to get confidence too. His confidence in his knee, his confidence in our system.”
Georgia and Smith, now ranked No. 1 in the nation in the eyes of the voters for the AP Poll, go on the road to open up SEC play this weekend against South Carolina. With it being a conference game, the Bulldogs will be restricted to just 70 players traveling, a storyline always worth watching, especially early in the season. Kickoff from Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C. is set for 12:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.
