Kirby Smart said he only wants to use the transfer portal when needed. It seems that the Georgia coach has found a player who fits his needs in high school, as Georgia has made a commitment to safety Tykee Smith in West Virginia.
Smith announced his commitment to Georgia through his Twitter.
Same mission, next chapter … 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/mfJDGAa4Dk
– T.Smith (@TykSmith) April 5, 2021
The transfer defense has won several All-American honors in its two seasons in West Virginia. In the second year, he intercepted two passes, had five pass deviations and caught 61 tackles.
Related: As Georgia DB coach, Jahmile Addae checks all boxes for Tykee Smith
Smith has a history with Georgia’s new defense coach, as Jahmile Addae has spent the past two seasons in West Virginia. Addae takes over from Charlton Warren, who left the team to become Indiana’s defense coach.
“I am much more interested in his relationship with the players, how he treats them, whether he can develop the players, whether he has a skill set to coach them,” said Smart about Addae. “And that’s what I was impressed with, Jahmile, his behavior, intelligent, he thinks things out before he says them, and he did an incredible job to win the trust of these players, while also learning a very complicated defense.
GO DAWGS‼ ️🐶😤
– Jahmile Addae (@Coach_Addae) April 5, 2021
Smith signed with West Virginia as part of the 2019 subscription course and will have three years of remaining eligibility. He is from Philadelphia and was a 3-star recruit, although he has surpassed that rating so far in his career in Georgia.
The NCAA is due to meet in April and vote on changing the transfer rule. If the regulator abolishes the rule that players should be out for a season, Smith should be eligible to help Georgia during the 2021 season.
Related: Dreshun Miller’s commitment to Auburn is why Kirby Smart laughs at the fascination of the transfer portal
Georgia’s biggest need is in the cornerback position, with the Bulldogs having to replace Eric Stokes, Tyson Campbell, DJ Daniel and Tyrique Stevenson. Smith, however, projects more like a security guard or a star in Georgia’s defense. Stevenson and Mark Webb occupied that position last season.
Since Smart took over in 2016, Bulldogs have succeeded in bringing defensive transfer backs, as Maurice Smith and JR Reed have played key roles in Georgia’s secondary. Safeties Lewis Cine and Chris Smith are back, giving Georgia a great start.
West Virginia coach Neal Brown spoke to reporters last week and discussed Smith’s departure from the program.
“I want to start and just address Tykee’s departure, a mutual separation, and it’s a lot like some relationships that I’m sure everyone has been here,” said Brown. “It gets to the point where it’s better for both parties, and that’s how we were. Nothing negative to say about it. I had two very good years here being productive in the field, and I wish him the best. “
Thank you WVU… .💙
To be continued… .🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/uk9nNoa0r3– T.Smith (@TykSmith) March 25, 2021
Smith will arrive in Georgia later this summer and will not make it through the remaining eight spring training sessions for Georgia. Bulldogs currently have 82 bags, with the addition of Smith pushing them to 83. Georgia still has room to add players.
Georgia continues the practice on Tuesday. G-Day is scheduled for April 17th. Georgia’s first game is set for September 4 against Clemson.
Related: Georgia football’s latest spring training updates
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