Kirby Smart explains how he'll determine Georgia's starting RT, if Amarius Mims' health factors in
Georgia’s preferred starting right tackle, Amarius Mims, hasn’t played since sustaining a high-ankle sprain against South Carolina on Sept. 16. And more than a month later, Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart and Co. are eying a return to the lineup for Mims.
Georgia plays Florida in an annual rivalry showdown on Saturday, and Smart was mum on the SEC coaches teleconference on Wednesday when discussing his right tackle position. As Mims nears a return, Smart shared that he’s got a very direct measurement for who might play.
“The person who can play the best and function the best and give us the best chance to win,” Smart said.
If Mims doesn’t play, Xavier Truss will likely continue to start at right tackle for the Bulldogs with true freshman Monroe Freeling waiting in the wings.
Pushed further, Smart reiterated that he’s not trying to think about whether Mims at partial health might be better than playing Truss again because it might build continuity or anything of the like. He’s looking at the right tackle situation in a very calculated manner.
“It’s the same answer: The one who gives us the best chance to win. It’s just the same as the quarterback and it’s just the same as the running backs and DBs who played. The guys who give us the best chance to be successful,” Smart said.
And with Mims’ extended absence, Smart was asked about the potential chemistry on the offensive line without Mims and how that might be changed if and when he returns.
Again, Smart reiterated he’s mostly concerned with how well each of the players can play.
“Chemistry, I mean he’s been part of our program for three years and he’s played with the offensive line, those same guys, last year a ton. Started him last year. He’s played a lot this year, he’s moved around. He’s played left and right. They move around, are moving parts. Chemistry is not a factor in this decision. It’s who gives us the best chance to win,” Smart said.
Mims is nearing his return point after undergoing surgery on his ankle
Smart said shortly after Mims got hurt he would have tightrope surgery, and he’ll be out for a number of games moving forward. Seth Emerson of The Athletic reported the Georgia offensive lineman’s timetable seems to be 4-6 weeks.
“We don’t know how long that’ll be,” Smart said days after Mims’ injury, via Emerson. “He’ll be back, we just don’t know how long.”
Mims went down in the first half of the contest against South Carolina with an apparent leg injury as he went to make a block in the second quarter, but ended up walking to the locker room. He did not return to the playing field.