Kirby Smart says one attribute makes 2021 Georgia defense stand out among elite

Kirby Smart has led several highly-talented defenses throughout his coaching career.

The Georgia defense was relentless in the victory as it recorded three sacks and forced two turnovers versus South Carolina. They also held the Gamecocks to only 82 yards rushing on 2.4 yards per carry.

Though Smart acknowledges there are concerns in the secondary, the Georgia head coach says the athleticism up front is what separates the Bulldogs’ defense from other elite units he’s coached.

“This is a different group. This is a really athletic group,” Smart said. “I don’t know that I’ve had an athletic front seven like this. We’ve been much deeper in the secondary, but I don’t know that I’ve had an athletic group that can move, that can twist. In today’s college football world, that gives you a chance with all of the spread stuff.”

Kirby Smart credits Georgia defensive staff

Though South Carolina coach Shane Beamer made headlines for pointing out the talent-laden Georgia defense after the Gamecocks’ 40-13 loss against the Bulldogs, Smart credits his coaching staff for getting the most out of this year’s Georgia defense.

“I think our defensive staff has done a really good job of getting the players to take on their personality, and they have bought into that,” Smart said of the 2021 Bulldogs’ defensive staff. “So it’s been a good vibe on defense and those guys have really done a tremendous job.”

Smart believes though every defense he’s coached has its own unique identify, the unit as a whole is molded by the defensive coordinator and position coaches.

“I think every one is different, they all have different identities,” Smart said.

“Some have been good because of the secondary, some have been good because of the front. Some have been a combination of both, but every one has a different personality and identity. That’s usually created by the staff that spends time with them.”

Kirby Smart and the Georgia defense will have a prime opportunity to improve to (4-0) when they head to Nashville on Saturday to face Vanderbilt (1-2). The Bulldogs enter the SEC matchup as 35.5 point favorites.