Kirby Smart talks Vandy QB and Georgia native AJ Swann, Vince Dooley’s impact at UGA
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Georgia is 6-0 on the season and back to No. 1 in the polls after its 42-10 destruction of Auburn last weekend.
Up next for the Bulldogs is a visit from Vanderbilt in a game that most aren’t expecting to be competitive.
The Commodore have improved, however, in their 2nd season under Clark Lea.
One reason that Vanderbilt has been more competitive this season has been the emergence of quarterback AJ Swann, a true freshman who enrolled in January and a Georgia native.
“I remember AJ well,” said Georgia coach Kirby Smart during the SEC coaches teleconference Wednesday. “He was a really good player in our state. One that we evaluated closely and thought a lot of. … He gives them a dynamic in the passing game that complements their rushing game. … He brings the ability to do things down the field and is throwing the ball really well.”
Smart was also asked Wednesday about what Vince Dooley has meant to the Bulldogs program through the years.
Dooley had been hospitalized with COVID-19 over the weekend but was released from the hospital on Monday.
“He’s been tremendous,” Smart said of Dooley. “He’s represented UGA for so long with such class. … He’s been integral to my success for me personally from the time I was here as a player. … He’s meant a lot to a lot of people.”
Dooley and the University released a statement Wednesday concerning his health.
Georgia’s Vince Dooley back home and raring to go: “I’m grateful for all the cards, text messages, emails, and calls as well as the prayers and concerns. But I’m ready to go Saturday with my regular book signing session at the UGA Bookstore and certainly the homecoming game.
— Chip Towers AJC (@ctowersajc) October 12, 2022
Georgia’s home game with Vanderbilt on Saturday will kick off at 3:30 p.m. (ET) and be televised by the SEC Network. The Bulldogs are currently 38-point favorites.
"Chris Wallace covers college football for Saturday Down South. He has covered college athletics for multiple newspapers and also worked previously for Rivals.com and GolfChannel.com."
