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What Was Said: Kirby Smart joins College GameDay ahead of NFL Draft

Palmber-Thombsby:Palmer Thombs•04/27/23•

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Kirby Smart, Georgia Bulldogs football coach
Georgia football coach Kirby Smart looks on following a win in the national championship game on Jan. 9, 2023. (Icon Sportswire / Getty Images)

Georgia is expected to have several players get their name called throughout the 2023 NFL Draft. That gets underway from Kansas City later tonight on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. Before the chaos ensues though, Kirby Smart joined ESPN’s experts on College GameDay to talk about a few of his top prospects including Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith and Stetson Bennett. Here’s what was said.

Kirby Smart on Jalen Carter, what he needs to be successful in the NFL

“I think all the NFL teams that are picking tonight have a great environment. They have older players that are like big brothers to the rookies. He had that in Jordan Davis and Devonte Wyatt. I think that’s important. I think a strong d-line coach is great. I think it benefits a lot of teams because he’s a really good football player, and when you’re a really good football player, you’re scheme diverse. He’s certainly that.”

Smart on Nolan Smith, what he brings to an NFL team

“He brings a lot of energy. Great for the organization. Super speed guy. In a day in the age of the NFL now where it’s pass rush, pass rush, pass rush, that’s what he is. He affects the quarterback. He gets around the edge. He’s really flexible. He can get trash plays. He has a lot of energy, and he’ll play great on special teams too.”

More on Smith, his continued leadership after getting hurt halfway through the year

“He gets after it. The start of practice every day from the time that he was hurt, he was the first one out there chippin’ and talking and stirring up the offense. Pissing them off. I love it.”

Kirby Smart on finding 3-star prospects and developing them into NFL Draft picks

“I think it’s evaluation and information. The more information you get, the better decision you make. Our coaches are on the road right now. We want to talk to everyone in the high school program, from the custodian to the principal to the counselor. What are they really like? And then we want to get them on our campus. We’d like to see them work out. We feel like we make less mistakes when we watch kids and believe you evaluation. When you make an evaluation, trust it and believe it. Jordan Davis is a great example of that.”

Smart on Broderick Jones

“Every day at the end of practice, he was the first one to come running up to me, get right in front of you and just sit there and listen to every word. God, this guy has great energy, great juice. I remember watching his high school basketball games there in Atlanta. He’s got a great momma and some great sisters. It’s going to be a big night for him.”

Smart on Stetson Bennett

“I think Stetson Bennett has proved a lot of people wrong already. So regardless of where he goes or when he goes, he’s gonna continue to prove people wrong. He’s uber-talented. He’s got great athleticism and the part people don’t give him enough credit for, he’s already played in the system! Todd Monken’s system, he’s been all over the NFL. He can walk in a huddle, he can anticipate throws, he’s seen all the defenses, he’s played in the right kind of system. I’m excited to see what he does. He’s got great touch on the ball, great velocity. He was a great baseball player in high school. The guy can throw 85, 88 miles an hour.”

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