Georgia football will finally play a game on Saturday, and veteran defensive leader Nolan Smith has a certain expectation for the defense. It’s one that the fans are familiar with because it’s what head coach Kirby Smart preaches.
If anyone knows what those expectations are it’s Smith because he is one of the returning leaders from the 2021 team. He chose to come back for one more season instead of entering the NFL Draft, which was a massive victory for Georgia.
On Monday when Smith spoke to the media, he was poised, gave great answers, but above all else he looked focused and ready for Saturday’s battle.
This year will be his fourth opening game as a Georgia player, so he knows the drill, but his role will be a little more than it was in years past. However, he is a perfect fit, and the defense listens to him.
Georgia football linebacker Nolan Smith has high expectations for his defense.
Connection is something that Smart preaches all the time, and that is one of the best ways to describe why that 2021 unit was so good. They played as one unit and very rarely did that bond break.
Smith was a part of that group, so he knows for this 2022 defense to be elite, it has to find that tie to each other.
"“I play on the Georgia defense, I’m not expecting anything… I expect that we show connection. The game is meant to have fun. It’s nothing to show me,” Smith said in his interview. “I’m just a player, and I just want to have fun with my guys. All 11 guys playing the same call, getting our hats to the football. Swarming and flying. That’s connection and that is the only thing that we can control.”"
He put it perfectly, while there are expectations, Smith understands there are only so many things they can control. Connection is one of those things they can push for and having fun is a great way to build those key relationships.
Smith’s football IQ and general IQ are through the roof. He sees things differently, and that is why this quote should excite fans. Smith understands that if they work on what they can. control, the rest will follow. Hopefully this offseason the Dawgs have built a bond so the 2022 defense can be another strong unit.
Georgia football will need this defense to be ready for Saturday’s matchup against the Ducks because Oregon is no pushover. They will be ready for the Dawgs, and Georgia will have to stand up and remind the Ducks who they are. Georgia is more than capable of doing this, but Smith’s side of the ball will need that connection to make it easier to accomplish.