Kirby Smart knows that Brock Bowers is a special kind of tough.

Smart spoke to the legacy of Bowers at Friday’s Orange Bowl press confernece. Bowers returned from an ankle injury that sidelined him for weeks. The tight end eventually returned against Ole Miss and still led the team in receiving yards.

Bowers’ ability to return from the injury is something that stood out to Smart. Smart credited Bowers for changing Georgia for the better.

“His legacy is he’s a tremendous athlete. Great toughness. I’ve never seen a kid come back from a significant injury like that that fast,” said Smart. “He changed the culture of the work ethic around especially on our offense.”

Georgia has still not heard an answer from Bowers on whether or not he plans to go to the NFL. Bowers, Damon Wilson, and Amarius Mims weren’t among those who got off the plane as the team landed in Florida. However, Smart stated that Bowers has been with the team in preparation for the Orange Bowl and that the decision is up to the Georgia TE.

With or without Bowers on the field, Georgia will have to play Florida State at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday.