Georgia Bulldogs 23 for '23: No. 19 Arian Smith
We’re less than a month away from the start of fall camp for Georgia, and what better time to take a look at the most important players for the Bulldogs in 2023?
Important can have different definitions. Some players’ importance for this season is based on their past performance and ability to repeat that this fall. For others, it’s about their potential and what living up to it would mean for Georgia and its chances at winning a third straight National Championship.
We continue the countdown from 23 to 1 today now inside the top-20 with No. 19 on our list, wide receiver Arian Smith.
Arian Smith
Position: Wide Receiver
Class: Redshirt Junior
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 185 pounds
Hometown (High School): Bradley, Fla. (Lakeland)
Everyone knows what Arian Smith can bring to the table. The question, as it has been throughout his entire career, is, ‘How often can he bring to the table?’
Smith played in 11 games last season, making his first appearance against Missouri in October after an injury suffered during fall camp kept him out the first month of action. He totaled seven catches for 198 yards and one touchdown on the year. His 28.29 yards per catch was by far the most of any Bulldog receiver, over 12 yards more than the next closest player and more than 15 yards greater than the team average.
His big play ability is undeniable. Just ask Ohio State and Tennessee fans – two games that he had a major impact in with a trio of catches for 40+ yards each last season. If Georgia can get that consistently, it’s scary to think about what the possibilities for the passing game are.
Still, even if it’s not an every-game impact from Smith, simply having him healthy and a threat to make that kind of play keeps defenses on their toes having to respect his speed. So, yes, it’s important that he makes those kinds of plays, but first and foremost, it’s important that he simply stays healthy – something the’s struggled with throughout his career – to be able to suit up this season.
Know the Quote
“It was great. I hold my breath every time. I’m worried about injury,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said when asked about Smith and the potential impact of his injury-free spring. “He’s really a fast guy. At times, he gets some awkward tackles and it scares you. He had a good spring. We have to be smart about our workload and volume of work for him. The more he does, the more he becomes injury-prone. He stretches the field in ways that other guys can’t do. We have to be smart about that.”
“Most definitely. I feel like I’ve got a lot of stuff I can do to help this team,” Smith said. “Regardless of circumstances, whether we lose people or get people, I’ve still got to make plays for the team. I think I accomplished everything I wanted to accomplish this spring.”
Click here to find the complete rundown of our 23 for ’23 series
