Kirby Smart says NIL has not changed how he recruits quarterbacks

ATHENS — The NCAA’s new NIL incentive has not changed the way Georgia head coach Kirby Smart and the UGA football program recruits athletes, including quarterbacks. Smart was asked about changes to the process during Tuesday’s spring practice press conference in Athens.

“I don’t know that it’s changed. I mean we go about recruiting quarterbacks by evaluating quarterbacks,” Smart said. “We watch them play in high school, we bring them over here and have them throw for us, we watch their games which is by far and away the most critical thing we can have. It would probably be a bigger picture of ‘why are we singling out quarterbacks because NIL is impacted the recruitment of every player?’ In terms of where does that rank on their scale? It’s one of the first questions. Is that number one priority, is it number two, three, four, five, six? Do you list it that we way because you actually feel that way or because it’s the right answer?” he asked.

“It used to be every kid came in and said, ‘The most important thing for me is my education.’ Well, I don’t know many universities that you can get a bad education at. They don’t hand out bad educations,” Smart said. “So, is that truly what people were coming to school for 10, 15, 20 years ago? Is it truly what they are coming to school for now or NIL? The answer to your question is I don’t really understand why it’s specifically about quarterbacks. All recruitment of quarterbacks or any position hasn’t changed what we look at because of NIL. It might change what their motivating factor is, certainly, but not what we look for in terms of criteria. I want a self-starter; I want a guy that’s committed to the program and is selfless. I want all those same things. Size, speed, I want those same things. It’s more, be more selective over the kids you pick and choose from that the NIL is not the number one narrative.” 

Smart also updated the progress of three Georgia quarterbacks during the press conference.

On Carson Beck and his work with the receivers …

“It’s a work in progress, it’s not where it needs to be. I would say that he’s comfortable with guys he’s thrown to the most and we’re trying to force the issue with the guys he hasn’t. Some of their reps come with the ones, some of the reps come with the twos. Right now, it’s not just getting them comfortable with Carson, it’s getting them comfortable with the offense. I put them where Rara and Dom were last year, and Rara and Dom this time last year were probably ahead of where those guys are in terms of growth and implementation into the offense. They’ve got to continue to grow and get better. As they do that, they’ll get more opportunities with Carson.”

On Gunner Stockton’s performance in the first scrimmage …

“Gunner has done a good job. I have seen growth in Gunner. I think he had a couple mistakes in the scrimmage, but he also played with much more consistency. I have seen this progression with Gunner where he is getting better each and every practice. The bowl practices were great for him. The ability to play in that bowl game was awesome for him. He has gotten better. He is getting a feel for our system. He is a really good athlete. He has, every now and then, a mistake that you can’t have at that position. The good thing for him, you can ask him after the play, I always ask him, ‘What did you see? What was the coverage?’ He always gives the right answer. He is seeing the right things. He has to continue to develop and grow. That is a hard position to play. He is still trying to master that position.” 

On Ryan Puglisi’s injury status …

“Ryan is dealing with a little bit of a knee injury. It is not a significant injury. He has had it before, since high school. It has been bothering him. He has been able to throw. He hasn’t been able to go out and be mobile and run. His knee has been bothering him. We are hopeful to get him back today. If not today, then probably Thursday. He has had to miss out on some reps because of that injury. He has been in everything, all the walk-throughs and all the mental stuff.”

The Bulldogs continue to prepare for the G-Day game scheduled for April 13 at Sanford Stadium in Athens.