Kirby Smart explains why Georgia isn’t looking to add NFL players to 2026 roster
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Kirby Smart is not looking to supplement Georgia’s roster with players from the NFL seeking a 5th year of college eligibility, he affirmed on Tuesday.
The Georgia football head coach explained that the players currently on the team have earned their opportunities throughout this offseason, and that remains an important factor in his decision. To Smart, replacing those players with athletes who have done their time in college football isn’t worth betraying that culture.
Here’s his full quote:
“The opportunities presented to the guys on our team is important to me,” Smart said, via Dawg Nation. “They’ve earned those opportunities through an offseason, through a summer program, through a really tough fall camp. You have to decide, each and every person, if that’s valuable enough to warrant replacing your players that have worked with your team with others that might be better. So our job is to upgrade and try to get better as much as we can and win games. So, some people feel like that gives them an opportunity to be better and doesn’t change their culture and more power to them.”
Last week, it was reported that Georgia added 5th year receiver Cole Speer, but it’s worth noting that Speer did not ever suit up for an NFL franchise. Smart also did not confirm that Speer was on the team Tuesday as he awaits an NCAA ruling.
Ethan Stone is a Saturday Down South News Editor and an advocate for the return of the Seattle Supersonics.
