Warren Brinson catches eye of Kirby Smart for disciplined development
ATHENS, Ga. — Kirby Smart and Warren Brinson shared a moment on Saturday before the Bulldogs ran out of the tunnel. Getting set to make his first career start, Smart took the chance to tell the fourth-year defensive lineman how proud of him he was.
“I told him that he had earned it and that he should go out and play with confidence because he’s been in this program a long time and he works really hard,” Smart said after a 49-21 win over UAB. “I’ve been really proud of his work ethic. His work ethic has gotten so much better. I just told him, ‘Hey man, you earned this. Go enjoy it.'”
Brinson made the most of that opportunity. Posting three tackles including a sack for a loss of eight yards, the Savannah, Ga. native graded out as Pro Football Focus’ second-highest rated defensive tackle in the Power Five for week four.
Brinson’s teammates see what Smart does too. His fellow defenders Jamon Dumas-Johnson and Tramel Walthour believe he has the potential to do even more.
“Warren’s a guy that definitely, when he locks in, he can probably be the best version of himself and probably the best D-tackle there is in the country when he’s locked in and doing his right stuff and bringing that mindset,” Dumas-Johnson said. “When he can be consistent in that, I think Warren can be real dangerous.”
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“He’s grown a lot,” Walthour added. “Just maturing and doing the things that are asked of him by the coaches. Being as athletic as he is and knowing the scheme inside out, he’s growing a lot. He’s definitely a big asset to that d-line.”
Brinson hasn’t arrived. He only has five tackles in four games with two games being shut out. He has however earned the opportunities he’s getting – and will likely continue to get – by learning from several of the best defensive linemen to have played at Georgia. In the bigger role, it’ll be important according to Smart that he stays true to who he is and always has been.
“He’s trained behind some really good football players that are gone. He’s developed. He’s gotten tougher. He’s gotten more physical, stronger, more disciplined. He’s improved,” Smart said. “When he plays within the scheme of things he’s pretty athletic and twitchy. But he has to do that first and play hard. Play more snaps, he’s got to play more snaps than he’s ever played so that’s important.”
Brinson and the Bulldogs hit the road this Saturday to take on Auburn. Kickoff time for Jordan-Hare Stadium on The Plains is set for 3:30 p.m. ET, 2:30 locally, on CBS as the SEC Game of the Week.
