Smart proves he can attract top talent, but now he must do something with it
By John Hollis
Published:
As debuts go, Kirby Smart hit the proverbial home run in his first National Signing Day as Georgia’s coach.
In landing a star-studded class that ranked No. 7 nationally, according to 247Sports.com, Smart proved he could attract top-flight talent to Athens even on the shortened recruiting cycle afforded to him following his hiring in December. Just imagine what he might accomplish with a full recruiting cycle next year and beyond.
But landing top talent is one thing. Doing something with it is another matter entirely, as his predecessor Mark Richt discovered.
Richt’s inability to win an SEC Championship since 2005 was the driving force behind his stunning dismissal after 15 years as the Head Dawg. Georgia’s inability to do so hasn’t been for lack of talent, as one look at the many NFL rosters stocked with former Bulldogs would attest.
Richt left Athens with 145 career wins, two SEC Championships and 15 bowl appearances. He won 74 percent of his games, and though he reached the SEC title game again in 2011 and 2012, the inability to win another title ultimately cost him his job.
“The message it delivers is that championship matter – that’s just how it goes,” former Georgia wide receiver Malcom Mitchell told SDS at the Home Depot 25th Annual College Football Awards Show held in December at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
It’s a message that Smart knew all too well before leaving the relative comforts as Alabama’s defensive coordinator to succeed Richt as the head coach at his alma mater.
Smart’s tenure got off to a quick start as his first recruiting class included three five-star prospects, most notably prized quarterback recruit Jacob Eason. Another possible one could join their ranks should uncommitted Savannah (Ga.) Christian Prep wide receiver Demetris Robertson choose the Dawgs.
Ten other signees – half of the 20-man class – were rated four stars, meaning talent will abound when the Dawgs take the field this fall.
They’ll join an extremely capable returning contingent that includes tailback Nick Chubb, tailback Sony Michel, promising receiver Terry Godwin, linebacker Lorenzo Carter and the “Human Joystick” in electrifying receiver/return specialist Isaiah McKenzie.
Chubb, a rising junior, ranked as one of the nation’s best players before suffering a season-ending knee injury at Tennessee on Oct. 10. If he’s completely healthy, he could power the Dawgs into SEC and national contention.
Smart is no stranger to luring big-time talent and making those players and returning ones alike better. He consistently did as much while serving on Nick Saban’s staff, churning out an array of future NFL talent who first helped the Crimson Tide claim four national championships.
They’re expecting likewise in Athens — and won’t accept anything less anymore.
John Hollis is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Georgia and Florida.
