All articles tagged with #kirby smart
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker suffered a season-ending ACL injury in Tuesday’s practice, ending his season with the Falcons as their first-round pick; Kirby Smart praised his leadership and said he’ll come back twice as good, underscoring Walker’s impact beyond football as Georgia and Atlanta work to replace his production.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart and three players spoke at the 2026 SEC Media Days; Rusty Mansell shares observations from the Bulldogs' appearance, highlighting Smart's message and the players' outlook as the season approaches.
Georgia running back Dante Dowdell, a Kentucky transfer, is hospitalized with serious injuries after an ATV accident at his home. He’s being treated at Shepherd Center in Atlanta, and coach Kirby Smart says the timeline for his return is unknown. Dowdell had 112 carries for 560 yards and 3 touchdowns for Kentucky last season and was expected to be a key contributor for Georgia behind Nate Frazier, but his status for the season remains uncertain.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart says he supports the SEC potentially breaking away from the NCAA and pursuing its own postseason, reflecting ongoing talks at the league’s spring meetings about self-governance. Yahoo! Sports reported discussions on a “Plan B” and the possibility of a SEC–Big Ten partnership, but experts warn antitrust litigation and other hurdles could prevent a quick move, leaving the future of a separate SEC structure unresolved.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart says he would back the SEC pursuing its own rules if national standards can’t be agreed upon, signaling a potential breakaway for college football. The comments come amid SEC meetings on governance, with discussions framed by frustration over transfer oversight and NIL concerns, and the stalled SCORE Act as Senate talks linger toward national standards or conference-led rules as a last resort, per SEC commissioner Greg Sankey.
Georgia produced eight NFL draftees in 2026, led by Monroe Freeling’s first-round selection to the Panthers—the Bulldogs’ 84th draftee under Kirby Smart and sixth offensive-tackle first-rounder in his decade in Athens. Five Bulldogs went on night two (Christen Miller, Oscar Delp, CJ Allen, Zachariah Branch, Daylen Everette) with Colbie Young later added in Round 4, keeping Georgia among the national leaders in draft picks and tying Ohio State/LSU for the most WRs drafted since 2019 with nine. Georgia finished 12-2 last season as SEC champions and opens 2026 vs Tennessee State, while remaining stocked for potential 2027 first-rounders such as KJ Bolden, Ellis Robinson and Chris Cole.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart opened with a NIL money joke aimed at Mario Cristobal at the Spurrier Awards in Gainesville, with Cristobal firing back about Carson Beck and Smart’s pre-NIL era; the exchange also included playful jabs at Florida as Spurrier watched.
Georgia linebackers Chris Cole and Darren Ikinnagbon were arrested on misdemeanor reckless-driving charges. Cole faced reckless driving and exceeding the maximum limit; Ikinnagbon faced reckless driving, exceeding the maximum limit and following too closely. Bonds were posted after bookings in the evening. A team spokesperson said the program is aware and gathering information, with no further comment. The arrests follow a pattern of driving-related incidents in Georgia’s program, which previously saw players leave the team. Cole contributed 59 tackles and 4.5 sacks last season, while Ikinnagbon appeared in five games and is expected to have a larger role in 2026.
Indiana transfer Fernando Mendoza says he was torn between Georgia and Indiana and even nearly called Kirby Smart to commit to the Bulldogs, a call that didn’t go through; he ultimately chose Indiana, where he led the Hoosiers to an undefeated season, a national title, and a Heisman, while Georgia's next season is led by Gunner Stockton.
Georgia Bulldogs secured their 900th win, becoming the ninth FBS school to reach this milestone, after defeating Mississippi State 41-21 and preparing to face Texas in their final conference game of the season.
Kirby Smart supports playing the Florida-Georgia rivalry on campus sites rather than Jacksonville, emphasizing the positive experience for players and the tradition of home games, despite the financial benefits of neutral-site games. The rivalry will return to Jacksonville in 2028 after a two-year hiatus for renovations.
Kirby Smart reflects on the high-pressure environment of LSU football coaching, contrasting it with his own experience and discussing the recent firing of Brian Kelly due to unmet high expectations, despite Kelly's strong record, highlighting the intense nature of college football coaching in the SEC.
Georgia football moved into the top 5 in the Week 9 Coaches Poll after a hard-fought 43-35 win over Ole Miss, showcasing resilience and toughness. The team faces an off week before a key game against Florida, amid ongoing coaching rumors surrounding Florida's head coach position. Georgia remains a strong contender in the SEC with a 6-1 record, while other top teams like Alabama and Texas A&M are still undefeated in conference play.
Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart has been named to the Paul 'Bear' Bryant Coach of the Year Watch List as the team prepares for a key SEC matchup against undefeated Ole Miss, with Georgia aiming to continue its strong season and contend for the College Football Playoff.
Georgia football, ranked No. 9, secured a 20-10 victory over Auburn, with key players like CJ Allen and Raylen Wilson rising in performance, and the team maintaining strong postseason prospects. The team is young but gaining valuable experience, and upcoming games against top-ranked opponents remain crucial for their playoff hopes.