The Georgia secondary has had a new member in recent weeks, as freshman WR Mark Webb has been working with the unit.

A 4-star 2017 signee, Webb played in the secondary in high school, so he isn’t too far removed from spending time at the position.

On Tuesday, coach Kirby Smart told reporters that Webb was switched over after a couple of injuries to key defensive backs like Malkom Parrish and that he’s leaving a switch back to wide receiver open for now (via Macon.com):

“We obviously have had concerns with injuries at that position,” Smart said. “And we have a little more depth at receiver. He’s been making plays on special teams. He tackles people. He played corner in high school. It’s not necessarily permanent. But he’s done a really good job. I really think he’s got a bright future there.

“We just didn’t have enough guys. So we moved him over there. And to be honest with you he’s been a really pleasant surprise.”

Apparently, Webb’s move from offense to defense isn’t exactly a new thing. Smart had a laugh at the media’s expense for not noticing the switch earlier:

“Let me say this first: I’m very disappointed in you guys. He’s been there for two weeks,” Smart said, jokingly. “I really don’t know where you guys have been. So I’ve been a little bit shocked. We didn’t try to hide it. We didn’t move him around in individual. We didn’t put him in a black jersey. I kept asking (sports information director) Claude (Felton), ‘What are these guys doing?’ Then it shocked me that y’all got it in the game and it came by way of a, I guess, a roster announcement or something. We probably shouldn’t have done that, y’all still wouldn’t have known.”

A contributor on special teams already, it remains to be seen whether Webb will get into a game on defense, but it will certainly be something to keep an eye on in the coming weeks.