Following Georgia’s 11th practice of the spring, Kirby Smart announced his squad had its “best day [this spring] pushing through the heat.” Evidently, there was lots of energy, good competition as players continued to grow and develop, and the team today even started to prepare for “some opponents” on their looming 2018 schedule. Still, although Smart is pleased with the overall effort of the Bulldogs, they apparently have a long way to go.
“We’re not where we want to be from a mental toughness and physicality standpoint,” Smart said. “But they’re not afraid to try, and I got to commend them for that.”
Smart said redshirt sophomore Chris Barnes, who recently moved over from the offensive to defensive line, is working hard but is still trying to get accustomed to his new position. As far as the defensive line as a whole, it is a banged-up, inexperienced unit, according to the head coach - “we are extremely struggling from a depth standpoint.”
It’s no secret Smart has also been concerned this spring about the defensive secondary—“a growing process,” he claimed. Apparently, this is very much the case for sophomore safety Richard LeCounte.
Considered one of the best players in the state of Georgia coming out of high school, LeCounte contributed last season as a true freshman in a reserve role and is expected to be a valuable member of this season’s Bulldog defense. However, Smart appeared unsure if LeCounte even wanted the responsibility of being a significant contributor.
“Sometimes I think Richard wants to be good,” Smart said, “but I don’t know if Richard knows what it takes to be good—the demands, study habits, and seriousness it takes.” The head coach added, “But, we’re certainly counting on him.”
Smart was asked to clarify his take on Richard LeCounte—did he like what he was seeing on the practice field this spring from the sophomore?
“[In the first] five minutes [of watching LeCounte], I’d say, ‘yeah,’” Smart said, but then added, “Another five minutes, I’d say, ‘what the hell?’ It’s up and down…it’s not consistent.”
Following Tuesday’s practice, receiver-returner Mecole Hardman made it well known how close he was to returning a punt for a touchdown last season—so close, the SEC’s leading punt returner in 2017 even had a touchdown celebration prepared for the National Championship Game. Although he wasn’t able to exhibit his celebration against Alabama, Hardman said he has “something in store” for this season. Still, according to Smart, Hardman has to first earn the primary punt-return role.
“I’m trying to figure if [Hardman] is even going to be the returner because we got some guys out there…who’ve been really good [returning punts],” Smart said. “That is an earned position, and that is not his position yet.”
In other news, while Smart obviously has his mind on other things besides the enhancement of Sanford Stadium, the head coach seemed enthused when asked about the stadium’s $63 million West End Zone Project.
“It’s going to bring a new facet to our recruiting,” Smart said of the construction. “I think we’ll have the most premier on-campus stadium-recruiting site in the country.”
On the injury front, Smart said receiver Michael Chigbu, who would be entering his fourth season at Georgia, is “going through some injury things.” According to the head coach, “I don’t know yet what he’s doing. He may be thinking about hanging it up. He hasn’t decided yet.”
