Knowshon Moreno barely missed his time at Georgia overlapping with a young Kirby Smart on the Bulldog coaching staff. However, the former running back known for his electrifying plays got to know Smart during his recruitment.

During the 2005 season, Smart spent one year as the running backs coach in Athens. He would leave after 2005 for a job with the Miami Dolphins, but Moreno remembers Smart as a fiery guy even back in those days.

“Kirby, I mean I just knew him as who he was when he was recruiting me,” Moreno said during an appearance on The Paul Finebaum Show. “Really great guy, genuine dude, fiery — he was fiery back then, now! Especially when we were playing spades and he and coach (Mike) Bobo were cheating all the time. Cheating coach Bobo!”

In reality, Moreno described Smart as a good person and a family man. He also says Smart eventually got him hooked on banana pancakes and Jack Johnson.

“But nah, really good dude, a family man. Took me in with open arms, showed me what it would be like in the college life, in the Georgia life, being a Bulldog,” explained Moreno. “And I really just fell in love. I mean he got me hooked on banana pancakes and Jack Johnson, you can’t fault the man for that.”

While Moreno never saw the field with Smart on the sidelines, the running back left his own mark in Athens. After redshirting in 2006, Moreno went on to record over 2,700 rushing yards with 32 offensive touchdowns in 2 seasons for the Bulldogs as one of the best playmakers in the country.