Nolan Smith is a Georgia native and is keenly aware about what a national championship would mean to the state of Georgia.

Smith, a Savannah, Georgia native, is an integral part of the Georgia defense as a vocal leader, but he’s also fifth in tackles with 49, along with 8 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles.

“I think it would mean everything,” Smith said at a Wednesday press conference. “There’s a lot of kids born and raised in the state of Georgia and this is one you’ll never forget. I always talk about leaving a legacy to my kids, but this is the ultimate. Kind of like a lot of people go to the program just because of their father and everything. I want that to be my son’s choice. But ultimately this is my goal and my dream, to point at my son, son, this is what we done here. We’re born and raised here, so why wouldn’t we want to do that?”

It’s what motivates him, especially after the first game when Smith explained that the difference was about 3 plays, and another reminder that big games especially come down to inches.

“To be the first since the drought, I tell people, you’ll be a Georgia legend no matter if you’re from inside the state of Georgia or outside of Georgia, you’re going to be Georgia legend. We came in to be legendary, be special, leave your mark,” Smith said. “Like I say, I want to bring my kid back and tell him this is what I did. I want to leave my mark. I don’t just want to be another University of Georgia player.”