If there’s one thing Kirby Smart loves, it’s good defense.
The Georgia head coach — now heading into his tenth season at the helm — knows what it takes to win, building the ‘Dawgs into a two-time national champion and annual contender.
Kirby Smart Reveals What He Wants To See From His Linebackers
After last month’s G-Day Spring game, Smart revealed exactly what he likes seeing out of his young defenders — “fire, passion and energy.”
Smart complimented sophomore inside linebackers Chris Cole and Justin Williams — both competing for increased playing time this year. Williams led the Red Team with nine total tackles, three tackles for loss, and a pass breakup in the G-Day game. Cole added six solo tackles, one tackle for loss, and a pass breakup.
“I’m excited about Justin and Chris. There’s not two players on our team that play with more fire and passion and energy,” Smart said. “We talk about it all the time … show me your fire and passion and energy. They were having fun on the field, they enjoy each other, they compete, they love the game of football.”
And the ever-savvy Smart turned it into a recruiting pitch.
“So if there’s anybody out there playing high school football that has fire, passion and energy that just loves the game, we’ve got a spot for you. Just come to Georgia, we’ll find a way to get you there,” Smart said. “Fire, passion and energy pays off. It’s not the ratings or the stars or all those things. It really isn’t. It’s about the kids that want to play the games the most right now, and those are the ones that play the best. And those two guys personify that.”
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Cole was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team last year after registering 11 tackles and appearing in all 14 games as a true freshman. Williams registered only two tackles, appearing in 12 games last season. With the departures of pass rushers Jalon Walker and Smael Mondon Jr. to the NFL, they could see increased playing time in 2025.
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