Kirby Smart evaluates cornerback play in Georgia’s scrimmage
On Saturday, Georgia‘s cornerbacks perhaps faced their most formidable challenge of the season: Georgia’s wide receivers. After the intrasquad scrimmage, head coach Kirby Smart evaluated his cornerbacks’ performances.
“There were some big plays hit. We gave up some big plays, but people didn’t get behind us,” Smart said. “There were a couple plays they were behind us that were overthrows that I thought maybe we should have hit. They did hit a couple big plays, but those weren’t necessarily on the corners.
“Our corners don’t play [man coverage] every down. They have downs where they’re in the flat, and they might get behind the safety. Just because there’s a bomb hit, it doesn’t always go to a corner. It could go to a safety. It could go to the protection, or the rush.”
It’s difficult to believe UGA’s cornerback unit made many mistakes. Last season, the squad allowed just 14.3 opponent points per game, ranking fifth in the nation. Further, the group boasted the second-best red zone defense in the nation.
The team returns Daylen Everette, Julian Humphrey and Nyland Green. Additionally, four-star freshman AJ Harris is waiting in the wings. While these talented DBs hit the field on Saturday, Georgia was missing its star cornerback, Kamari Lassiter, due to a foot injury. Another key piece was struggling, as well.
“We had four guys play. Julian was a little under the weather. He was sick and cramping a little bit. So, he played, but he had less reps. Kamari is dying to get back,” Smart said. “He started for one year, and he’s got to knock the rust off and go out there and play too.”
Lassiter was pivotal in Georgia’s journey to a national title in 2022. The 6-foot CB started in all 15 games for the Bulldogs, recording 38 total stops. Expectations are even higher this season for the junior, as he was named to the Preseason Media Days All-SEC First Team.
Despite fans’ high hopes for Lassiter, Smart insists the returning star must earn his spot back on the field.
“There’s no assumption that just because you played last year, you’re going to come in and play,” Smart said. “People assume that, but these kids aren’t NFL players that have been playing for 10 or 15 years. He’s got to get back and knock some of the rust off.”
Georgia’s 2023 cornerback unit will take on an opposing offense for the first time on Sept. 2, when the Bulldogs square off against UT Martin in their season opener.