Kirby Smart is a player's coach. I don't think that's a controversial statement in any form. It's well known how much Smart's players love him and vice versa. That doesn't mean he doesn't occasionally get frustrated with them, but Georgia players know that Smart has their back.
Those relationships continue past college as expected, and they even continue when a player has left the program to search for opportunities elsewhere. And it was on display after Saturday's win against Mississippi State when Smart had a short visit with former Bulldog (and current Bulldog I suppose) Anthony Evans.
Look at the relationship Kirby Smart continues to have with his players , Anthony Evans transferred from UGA to State and look how much love is still between both of them. #godawgs #HailState pic.twitter.com/NUlnqr7rab
— Alison Mastrangelo (@AlisonWSB) November 8, 2025
Georgia's defense and Anthony Evans went to battle
Evans transferred from Georgia in the offseason and the former 4-star prospect has found success in Starkville. Coming into Saturday's game, Evans had 52 receptions for 653 yards and four touchdowns, but the Bulldogs' defense held him to just four catches for 27 yards.
There was a lot of talk between Evans and some of the key Bulldogs defenders during the week. He reportedly sent some texts to various players and the conversation continued on the field. It didn't seem like much more than harmless trash talk between competitors and post-game it was all respect on both sides.
Even though he transferred out to State look at all the Georgia guys loving on their former teammate Anthony Evans. A strong brotherhood for life. #godawgs #hailstate #cfb pic.twitter.com/goNtLGoG7Z
— Alison Mastrangelo (@AlisonWSB) November 8, 2025
These interactions speak highly of Georgia's success
Playing for a top program like Georgia means having a serious competitive mindset. Everything on the football field is a competition and that often carries itself into the weight room, or the pool table or the video games. Everyone that puts on the Georgia uniform wants to be the best.
Evans wanted to be the best he could be, and he was at a point in his career that he had to go elsewhere to find the opportunity. He also wanted to show his former team what they missed out on. In the end, Georgia got the win and the defense generally got the best of Evans, but that competitive mindset is why Evans was recruited by Georgia in the first place and why his former teammates and former coach still love him.
No one knows exactly what Smart told Evans in this post-game interaction, but I can guess Smart told Evans that he was proud of him, and he's rooting for his continued success. Because even though Evans is gone, he'll always be one of Smart's guys.