Kirby Smart proud of Tykee Smith for ability to battle tough road, put himself in strong position
ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia coach Kirby Smart understands it’s been a tough road for Tykee Smith. The fifth-year defensive back transferred to Georgia in 2021 after two seasons at West Virginia. There he was a standout player, and as a result, arrived in Athens with high hopes for what was to come. However, a foot injury kept him out of fall camp and the first five games. Then, after appearing in the win over Auburn, Smith suffered a torn ACL and was out for the rest of the season.
Smith has come back from the injury, but it’s been a long road. Finally out of a knee braces, he’s been one of the players this spring looking like he can make a major impact this fall.
“Tykee has been good. He’s a leader,” Smart said. “He does a really good job punching balls out. There are things that he has to continue to work on in order to be an every down player for us, but he’s tough. He’s physical. He embodies what we want in a football player. He’s been down a tough road.”
“Let’s be honest, before he ever got here you guys had already labeled this guy to be an unbelievable All-American first team because he started as a freshman at West Virginia. He had to come here and compete and really earn it, and he’s been through some injuries,” Smart continued. “Without the injuries this is the most competitive environment there is to go out and play. He’s taking that head on and I think he’s put himself in position to have a really good season, the way he is practicing lately.”
Smith’s growth is just another example of development within the Georgia program. Plenty of players have been written off by outsiders only to turn out to be a pretty solid option for the Bulldogs. Smith may not be as extreme of an example having started at times last season for the eventual national champions, but even entering this season he’s been projected primarily as a backup to Javon Bullard at STAR.
Well, Bullard is getting some work in at safety, and that would open the door for Smith at STAR. For him, it’d be the kind of opportunity he had in mind when he came to Georgia. For the Bulldogs, it’s a way to get another talented – and experience – player on the field in its defensive backfield.
Georgia suits up on Saturday for its annual G-Day spring game, the first time fans can see the Bulldogs in action at Sanford Stadium in 2023. Kickoff time is set for 4:00 p.m. ET with gates opening at 1:00, the alumni flag football game starting shortly after and the team making its way through the Dawg Walk at 2:45.
Remaining tickets can be bought at georgiadogs.com, and the game can be seen on ESPN2.
