Kirby Smart explains how he plans to make the most of loaded tight end room

The Georgia Bulldogs have knocked tight end recruiting out of the park in the last few years, giving head coach Kirby Smart a surplus of talent at the position for 2022. Speaking on the Crain & Co. Podcast last week, Smart discussed his plans for Arik Gilbert, Darnell Washington, Brock Bowers, and Oscar Delp, among others in the room at tight end.

With limited snaps to go around, the Bulldogs are going to use the former five-star and four-star talent on special teams as much as possible.

“We really like that room. What I really like is the competition within that room,” Smart said. “We’re trying to find roles on special teams. They can go out and help there and steal some more snaps because we lost three linebackers that got drafted at inside backer. It’s rare to find three inside backers that got drafted in the third round or better. We’re losing a lot of special teams snaps out of those guys. So those tight ends have got to cover it up. We’ll get the ball to those guys and spread it around because I think Coach Monken and Coach Hartley’s staff do a great job of getting the ball to the tight ends.”

Smart anxious to keep tight end room healthy

Brock Bowers is back as the team’s top receiver after an 882-yard, 13-touchdown 2021 campaign but the other tight ends can also factor into the offense when healthy.

“The first key is keeping them all healthy,” Smart said. “Darnell this time last year had a foot injury. Arik’s had some injuries in his past. Brock had shoulder surgery. So the first thing you’ve got to do to have depth, you’ve got to have depth so that you can compete and really have guys fight for that playing time. But those three guys are really good. We think Oscar Delp’s really good. He’s a kid who had a great spring practice. Ryland Goede’s coming off of some injuries, and then Brett Seither is coming off of his best spring. A young man that we signed a couple years ago.”

Darnell Washington wasn’t available to start the 2021 season due to his foot injury but he has a lot more to show after a limited first two seasons in Athens. Although Georgia fans didn’t see Arik Gilbert suit up last season after his transfer from LSU, he showed out for them at G-Day with three receptions for 49 yards and two touchdowns.