Kirby Smart reveals story that epitomized veteran Brock Bowers' competitiveness this offseason

Georgia will be looking to win its third straight national title in 2023, and if the Bulldogs are going to pull it off they’ll need veteran Brock Bowers to maximize his potential at tight end.

Bowers is one of the biggest mismatch problems in the game.

He’s also the ultimate leader for the Bulldogs, doing so by example rather than by flashiness or being overly vocal. Coach Kirby Smart relayed an example of Bowers’ competitiveness and leadership on Tuesday at SEC Media Days.

“I wanted to kind of share a quick story on Brock that I think epitomizes who he is,” Smart told the assembled media. “So our offseason conditioning program, we have these things called boxes. It’s part of our program we do running, boxes. You’ve got to run down one side of the field and then you jog across the end zone and then you’ve got to run, sprint the other side.

“So one day, I don’t think these tight ends would claim for this to be true, but one day our younger tight ends had decided that they were going to finally get Brock. They were going to beat Brock on the boxes. So they took turns, which you’re not supposed to do, running as fast as possible down the straightaway, the 100 yards you run down the straightaway, and they were going to eventually beat Brock, because while one of them was sprinting one of the others would be resting and they had to try to beat Brock.”

Of course, the veteran Brock Bowers had other ideas. He was not about to be beat out by some younger players, even if they were gaming the system to their advantage.

Just not going to happen.

“Well not only did Brock win every one of those races, he beat every single one of them turn by turn by turn while they rested and waited up, and they just couldn’t beat the old vet,” Smart said. “It just shows his work ethic and how hard he competes at everything he does, and does it with silence.”

As a sophomore in 2022, Bowers caught 63 passes for 942 yards and seven touchdowns. He also added nine carries for 109 yards and three scores.

With starting quarterback Stetson Bennett now departed, the veteran Brock Bowers’ role as a safety valve on offense will be key for the entire unit. He can help ease the transition.

Bowers can also help make sure everyone’s on the same page. He’s sharp.

“We all know about his phenomenal athleticism,” Smart said. “He’s got a 3.45 GPA in finance. I remind him constantly that’s .05 right behind where I was as a finance major at Georgia, so it’s the only thing I’ve been able to beat Brock at.

“But Brock is unique. He’s easily, easily the quietest, hardest worker I’ve ever been around. It’s such a joy to bring him today and see him squirm on that plane and be uncomfortable and think about having to talk to you guys. I’m so excited to see his growth he gets from visiting with you guys and getting to enjoy it.”