How Kirby Smart took Georgia Football to the No.1 ranking

Improved offensive line play:

We all heard that Sam Pittman was one of the nations best O-line coaches when he was brought in. We saw the talent that Georgia signed in the 2017 recruiting class. However, what none of us were expecting was the level of improvement we have seen from veteran players this season.

Isaiah Wynn struggled at guard last year. Right now, he is a reliable left tackle. He is playing good football at the lines most difficult position. That’s not something that just happens. To make that sort of jump takes a huge amount of coaching from Pittman but also a tremendous effort from Wynn himself.

Wynn isn’t the only senior we have seen a jump from. Kendell Baker and Dyshon Sims are both playing so much better than last year. Solomon Kindley is a revelation at guard and has brought much-needed size to the group. But Baker and Sims have just developed so much more than we saw last year, as has Lamont Gaillard at center. It’s hard to believe that he was recruited to play on the defensive line sometimes.

Andrew Thomas has also been solid at right tackle. He’s been much better than anyone should expect a rookie to be. This unit as a whole deserves a huge amount of credit for the jump they have made this year. Struggling players have worked hard and grown to be better. Young guys are stepping in and raising the bar. This has gone from a unit that was ignored by a coaching staff to one the whole nation can recognize. The work these guys have put in has been richly rewarded.