Brock Vandagriff reveals what Kirby Smart told him after UK vs. UGA game
Did the result live up to the hype for Brock Vandagriff, taking on his former team at Kroger Field with the top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs in town? The Kentucky quarterback would have preferred to pull off the upset win in the reunion matchup, obviously, but did enjoy seeing some familiar faces in Lexington.
Well, not when they were chasing him down in the backfield, but certainly outside the white lines. That was the only difference in the game, the Georgia transfer striving to make sure the drama surrounding the battle never impacted his preparation or play.
No matter how close they were and remain off the field, the Dawgs were enemy number one on Saturday.
“It wasn’t too weird. When I had my roommate of like, three years, Chaz (Chambliss), breathing down my back few times, I was a little intimidated, but we hugged at the end of game, told each other we love each other,” Vandagriff said after the 13-12 loss. “It’s just whoever’s wearing the opposite colored jerseys, who we’re going up against. Just because I know all of their names and their backgrounds, stuff like that, that don’t really mean too much.
“Between the lines, it’s a competition, but outside lines, it’s friendships and relationships for life.”
Kirby Smart found his former quarterback on the field after the game, the two sharing a hug while the UGA coach offered a few words of wisdom. He did the same with fellow Bulldog transfer Jamon “Pop” Dumas-Johnson, as well, a sign of clear mutual respect after winning back-to-back national championships together in 2021 and 2022.
“He told me he’s proud of my fight. He said it was a tough game, that I’m a tough player, and just a competitor. And I really appreciate that,” Vandagriff said. “He told me he loved me, I told him I love him back. That’s just one of the best coaches out there, obviously, in Coach Smart. He cares about his players. I’m wearing Kentucky blue and he still cares about me. That means a lot to me just to hear that from him.”
Smart made it clear just how much he appreciates both players and their respective contributions during their time in Athens. In fact, he says the Bulldogs wouldn’t have won their rings without Dumas-Johnson’s play on the field and Vandagriff’s work as the scout team quarterback in practice.
“I love those kids. Those kids were tremendous for our program,” he said. “I mean, we probably don’t win two national championships back-to-back without those two guys.”
The Georgia head coach said it was a tough goodbye with Vandagriff when he decided to enter the transfer portal while Dumas-Johnson is a player he’s always respected for how he approaches the game. Losing both guys hurt, but it meant a lot getting to catch back up with them — and beat them on their new home field.
“I mean, Brock did all kinds of things to help our team, scout team. He was a competitor,” Smart said. “I mean, the guy cried in my office when he told me he had to leave. It ate away at him, and I’m really happy for him. And Pop as well. Pop and I had a great relationship, and we were fiery with each other at times, but he was also a tremendous leader, and I just respect Pop.”
Nothing but love between Smart and his former Dawgs.
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