Super Bowl LIII marks Bill Belichick’s ninth Super Bowl appearance since taking over in New England. Clearly, the man knows what he’s doing when it comes to coaching. When it comes to evaluating college players and programs, Belichick also has a very keen eye for talent.

Among the college programs impressing him the most at the moment is the one being run not far from the site of Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta.

Kirby Smart’s Georgia program was singled out as one that Belichick said he respects during his Monday media availability during the opening night festivities for the upcoming Super Bowl. His words are far more than lip service, too, as the Patriots used their top two selections in the 2018 NFL Draft to select Isaiah Wynn in the first round and Sony Michel in the second round.

Of course, both players hail from Smart’s UGA program and while Wynn has been lost for the season due to injury, Michel has played a significant role in getting New England to the Super Bowl by scoring five rushing touchdowns in two postseason games for the Patriots.

Check out this praising comment Belichick threw out there for Smart’s program, which you know Georgia is mailing out to every top high school prospect as we speak.

“I think Kirby’s program is excellent to prepare guys for the National Football League,” Belichick said according to Dan Wetzel.

Belichick’s appreciation for the Georgia program didn’t stop there, either, as New England’s coach offered up some praise for his starting center, David Andrews. Andrews, of course, also played his college football in Athens.

While Belichick and Nick Saban have a strong history, someone may want to inform Alabama’s coach that New England’s coach apparently has a man-crush on the Tide’s biggest SEC rival at the moment.