Kirby Smart shares best kickoff time for recruiting weekends
Georgia has been one of the recruiting powers since Kirby Smart took over, going head-to-head with the likes of Alabama and Ohio State on the national scale. At the same time, Smart has hosted some big games at Sanford Stadium over the years. Meaning, top prospects from across the country have flown into Athens for visits.
Smart has seen the Bulldogs play those games at all three of the kickoff times, giving his preference on which slot he likes the most. He says when it comes to recruiting the 3:30 afternoon kick is the best one. There is an opportunity to see recruits before the game and then spend more time with them after what is most likely a Georgia win.
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“I don’t concern myself on when the game is,” Smart said. “If you had to say a perfect time for recruiting, you’d probably say 3:30. Gives you time to visit with them afterwards and you actually get to see them. The night game is — No. 1, it’s not great for your team. You’re sitting around waiting all day and then you get more time with recruits on the front end but less time on the back end. 3:30 gives you time on the front end and back end. But, I am not complaining or looking for anything.”
Georgia has had four home games thus far in the 2022 season, with three falling into Smart’s preferred timeslot. None have been night games to this point, with the Sept. 24 showdown vs. Kent State taking place at noon.
Tennessee will undoubtedly be the biggest home game of the season for Georgia, both on the field and in recruiting. The SEC has already announced a 3:30 kickoff on CBS for what could be the first top-five matchup in Athens since 1983 against Auburn.
Smart will want his team to focus on the Florida game first, facing off against one of the program’s biggest rivals. But as the Tennessee game grows closer, so will the recruiting visitor list. In what should be an important weekend all around in Athens, the 3:30 kickoff falls right into Smart’s wheelhouse.