Georgia coach Kirby Smart has developed a relationship with well-known rapper Quavo in recent years, and several of his players helped make the connection. But in recent weeks, Quavo has offered some advice to Smart and his players about the recently passed rules around name, image and likeness.

“Our young men in the sport of football, and really all athletics and student-athletes, are getting an opportunity that has not been afforded to anyone before them,” Smart said, referring to Hines Ward, Champ Bailey, A.J. Green and Todd Gurley, among others. “These young men and women have earned this opportunity. We are so excited for them. The opportunities are really limitless. I don’t think personally that it’s going to blow up college football, or change anything substantially.”

Smart said the text from Quavo came two weeks after NIL went into effect on July 1st, and he said, “‘Coach, please tell the players, be selective, who they put their brand with. Don’t just do it, and he used the term thirsty. Don’t be thirsty. Be selective in what you want to do, selective in how you handle your branding. You’ve got tax issues now you’ve got to deal with.’ There’s a lot of education we’re doing in-house to make this an advantage for our young men. That’s something that we continue to drive home and they understand.”

Smart shared that the players he had with him in Hoover at SEC Media Days, Jordan Davis and JT Daniels, one has an NIL deal (Daniels) and one doesn’t.

“That’s by their choice, and we know there may be inequities within positions, but our team is very confident that we will manage that and that will not be a distraction during our offseason,” Smart said.