Tag: tykee smith georgia

Georgia safety Tykee Smith ranked as the No. 8 safety in NFL draft

Tykee Smith is a top-10 safety in the NFL draft per PFF…

Georgia safety Tykee Smith is ranked as the No. 8 safety for the 2023 NFL draft by Pro Football Focus. 

Smith, a West Virginia transfer, missed most of the 2021 season with a foot injury and a torn ACL.

“It’s crazy how many potential top prospects in 2023 didn’t actually even see the field for Georgia last season. After transferring from West Virginia, Smith was supposed to be the Bulldogs’ starting slot cornerback in 2021. He started the season sidelined with a foot injury, then tore his ACL only seven snaps into his first game back against Auburn.

Smith is one of the most instinctive prospects on this list and plays the game with no fear despite his size (5-foot-10, 198 pounds). In his last full season at West Virginia, he earned an 89.7 coverage grade and allowed only 110 yards across 25 catches and 38 targets.”

Smith spent two seasons at West Virginia where he was named Freshman All-American in 2019 and a second-team All-American in 2020.

The Philadelphia native appeared in 12 games as a freshman racking up 51 total tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss with one sack, four pass breakups, forced fumble and two interceptions.

As a sophomore in 2020, Smith played in all 10 games with 61 stops,  eight stops for loss, and broke up five passes with two interceptions.

Smith is expected to be 100% in 2023 and will compete for Georgia’s STAR position.

PFF: Georgia returns 2 of the top-10 safeties in CFB

Tykee Smith and Christopher Smith are two of the best in CFB

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz2y40j067srkf player_id=none image=https://ugawire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Georgia may be losing much of its production from 2021’s record breaking defense, but there are several Bulldogs who have elected to return to Athens for 2022 that will make a huge impact.

Returning safeties Tykee Smith and Christopher Smith will help solidify the back end of Georgia’s defense after losing All-SEC starter Lewis Cine to the draft.

Pro Football Focus has tabbed the pair as two of the top-10 returning safeties in the entire country.

Tykee comes in at No. 2 and Christopher is ranked No. 6 by PFF.

After missing most of 2021 with an ankle and eventually a torn ACL, Tykee will be asked to contribute as soon as he is healthy. He was an All-American in 2020 at West Virginia before transferring to Athens last summer.

Christopher led the Bulldogs in interceptions in 2021 with three and racked up 34 tackles and four pass breakups to boot.

 

Watch: Georgia recovers fumble, scores 2 plays later

It’s all Bulldogs right now in Nashville.

No. 2 Georgia is demolishing Vanderbilt in Nashville right now. UGA was up 14-0 before Vanderbilt fumbled on a kickoff, which gave the Bulldogs a short field. Running back Zamir ‘Zeus’ White took it from there.

White took it in from yard out to put Georgia up 21-0  with over 7 minutes to play in the first quarter live on the SEC Network

Vanderbilt has yet to make a first down.

 

Watch: Georgia strikes first with a Brock Bowers TD

It’s No. 2 Georgia at Vanderbilt right now on SEC Network. Check out UGA’s first score here

It didn’t take long for No. 2 Georgia to find the endzone at Vanderbilt. The Bulldogs now lead 7-0 early in the first quarter thanks to this touchdown rush from freshman tight end Brock Bowers.

UGA’s stout defense forced a three-and-out and quarterback J.T. Daniels led a strategic drive for a score on the first possession.

There’s plenty of football left to be played in Nashville. The game is live now on SEC Network.

 

What Vanderbilt media is saying about Georgia

It’s No. 2 Georgia versus Vanderbilt this Saturday. Here’s what Vandy’s media is saying about the Bulldogs.

No. 2 Georgia (3-0) travels to Nashville to take on Vanderbilt (1-2) this Saturday at noon.

The Bulldogs are coming off of a 40-13 win over South Carolina in the SEC opener and the Commodores return home after a 41-23 loss to Stanford.

Vanderbilt, under first-year head coach Clark Lea, has a tall task ahead in trying to contain Georgia’s high-powered offense and score against UGA’s top-ranked defense.

Here’s what Vanderbilt media is saying about Georgia ahead of kickoff:

Georgia HC Kirby Smart gives injury updates for Darnell Washington and Tykee Smith

When will TE Darnell Washington and DB Tykee Smith be back for Georgia? Kirby Smart gives an update here…

Georgia football has been without two of its most talented players since fall camp. Both tight end Darnell Washington and transfer defensive back Tykee Smith have been recovering from ankle surgeries the last five weeks.

Sep 26, 2020; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Georgia Bulldogs tight end Darnell Washington (0) starts his route during the second quarter of the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Georgia won the game 37-10. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

UGA coach Kirby Smart gave a status update for Washington and Smith in his Monday press conference ahead of Georgia’s matchup with Vanderbilt this Saturday.

Nov 14, 2020; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers safety Tykee Smith (23) celebrates after defeating the TCU Horned Frogs at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

“We haven’t ruled out this weekend,” Smart told reporters. “They were back running last week, weight-bearing, like running on their own. So we’ve thought all along that this would be the target, this week or next. But can’t say they’re going to be cleared for this game. I’ll find out a lot more today because they’re going to be able to run, do some exercises. Not necessarily be in their groups but they’re going to be running and accelerating on their own…They’re on 100 percent of their weight as of Thursday/Friday. We’re moving them forward and we’ll see where they are today.”

Smart added that both Bulldogs targeted this week’s matchup with Vanderbilt as the return date.

The fact that Washington and Smith are progressing to the point where they are running and cutting is great news for the Bulldogs, who have been riddled with injuries early on.

Star receiver George Pickens is still working back from an ACL tear in the spring, but the media caught a glimpse of the junior straight-line running and catching passes in practice on Monday. Smart said wideout Dominick Blaylock was almost back to 100% from an ACL tear until he tweaked his hamstring, signaling it will be sometime before he’s ready for gameplay.

It’s not like UGA doesn’t have guys who can step in and make plays, though, Adonai Mitchell was named SEC Freshman of the Week for his play against South Carolina, racking up four catches for 77 yards and his first career touchdown.

On defense, other than a few chunk plays versus the Gamecocks, UGA’s young secondary has played well without Smith, the top returning defensive back in college football, according to Pro Football Focus.

The addition of Washington and Smith – whenever it may be – can only be a boost to the No. 2 team in the land.

 

Former Georgia defensive end Ray Drew joins J.C. to talk his UGA career, big games in Sanford Stadium, his welcome to the SEC moment and more in a new episode of ‘UGA Football Live with J.C. Shelton’. Listen here:

 

 

‘

Georgia HC Kirby Smart talks fall camp injuries: ‘Every one of them are day-to-day’

Smart spoke on Georgia football’s mounting injuries after UGA’s scrimmage on Saturday.

Georgia football has had a recent string of bad luck when it comes to injuries. Multiple key players have gone down with different issues during fall camp. And with just 12 days until the top-5 clash with Clemson, the Bulldogs are hoping for speedy recoveries.

Here’s an updated look at UGA’s injury report:

  • TE Darnell Washington (foot)
  • DB Tykee Smith (foot/ankle)

Smith and Washington both underwent surgeries to repair foot injuries last week. The time table is reportedly three to four weeks, however, coach Smart says the guys are day-to-day.

  • C Warren Ericson (hand)

Ericson has returned to practice in a limited role and is expected to go versus Clemson.

  • ILB Quay Walker (unknown)

Walker has been a limited participant in both of Georgia’s fall scrimmages but is expected to be available in Charlotte.

  • CB Jalen Kimber (shoulder)
  • WR Arik Gilbert (personal)
  • TE John FitzPatrick (foot)

Fitzpatrick has missed both scrimmages but has been able to condition and is expected to be available versus the Tigers.

  • OL Owen Condon (Unknown)
  • WR Dominick Blaylock (ACL)

Blaylock has been participating in non-contact drills but has yet to be fully cleared for practice or gameplay.

  • WR George Pickens (ACL)

Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart spoke on the team’s injuries and the status of Blaylock, Gilbert and Fitzpatrick after Georgia’s scrimmage on Saturday.

“We don’t have an injury where there are guys out for a long amount of time,” Smart said. “We are hopeful to get all of those guys back. I mean every one of them is day-to-day. Each one is a different situation but I expect to be full tilt when Clemson comes. We had more guys healthy today than we had last scrimmage and we are in good position.”

Smart is optimistic about the team’s health in spite of a long list of banged-up Dawgs, which should give UGA fans a bit of relief. Still, Georgia will want every one of its contributors ready to go for one of the biggest games of the college football season.

Check back to UGA Wire next week to get the official injury report for week 1.

 

“UGA Football Live with J.C. Shelton” is back! In the podcast’s 2021 kickoff episode, J.C. is joined by former Georgia football greats Tavarres King, Kieth Marshall and Armarlo Herrera to talk about their time in Athens, the 2021 Bulldogs and Georgia vs. Clemson! Listen here:

Georgia football S Tykee Smith rated highly among top CFB DBs

Georgia football S Tykee Smith rated highly among top CFB DBs

Georgia football has one of the most talented rosters in the country headed into the 2021 season. Along with the boost of four straight top-4 ranked recruiting classes, the Bulldogs have dipped into the transfer portal this offseason for some elite talent.

One of those talented transfers is West Virginia safety Tykee Smith.

Pro Football Focus rated Smith as a preseason All-American and one of the top defensive backs in the nation. They grade each player by analyzing each snap played in each season.

According to PFF, Smith is the No. 4 defensive back in the country headed into the 2021 season.

PFF wrote,

4. SCB Tykee Smith

“Smith, a three-star recruit of the 2019 class, has recorded the third-best slot coverage grade in the FBS over his true freshman and sophomore seasons while serving as the “spear” in West Virginia’s defense. Now, he’ll be taking his talents to the Georgia Bulldogs, where he will anchor a secondary that was gutted this past offseason.”

Smith will be helping replace most of the Bulldogs secondary production from last season. The NFL draft gutted Georgia in the back end, nabbing four starters from a year ago. That is a big reason why coach Kirby Smart and staff targeted Smith in the portal.

“Smith’s 2020 campaign was a sight to behold. He was targeted 38 times in coverage across 10 games and allowed just 110 yards for the season. He did not give up a single explosive pass play of 15 or more yards while making five plays on the ball and forcing 10 passing stops. At 5-foot-10, 198 pounds, Smith is a physical player who shed receiver blocks and blew up screens like clockwork in 2020. He has great eyes in coverage and was never caught off guard. Keep an eye on Smith next season — he’s the real deal.”

The Dawgs are set to begin fall camp on Aug. 6. Check out some of Smith’s career highlights here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2qAN-8Vh58

 

Georgia WR Arik Gilbert named PFF first-team All-SEC

Georgia WR Arik Gilbert named PFF first-team All-SEC

Pro Football Focus (PFF) recently released its preseason All-SEC selections for the upcoming 2021 season.

Georgia football is represented by first-team selection, LSU transfer Arik Gilbert at receiver, along with four other first-team selections in defensive back Tykee Smith, senior guard Justin Shaffer, senior linebacker Nakobe Dean and senior punter Jake Camarda.

Gilbert played tight end at LSU but is officially listed as a receiver on UGA’s roster.

A former five-star recruit out of Marietta, Ga., Gilbert signed with Georgia after a solid freshman season at LSU where he caught 35 passes for 368 yards and two touchdowns in eight games played.

A more telling stat is Gilbert’s ability to win jump balls, something that the Bulldogs will be missing without star receiver George Pickens – who’s out indefinitely with an ACL tear.

So at least on the surface, UGA may be able to plug-and-play Gilbert while Pickens rests up for a possible championship run.

Check out some of Gilbert’s freshman highlights here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PStpR8uAlc

 

And see the full list of PFF’s All-SEC selections here.

 

Georgia DB Tykee Smith named PFF preseason first-team All-SEC

Georgia DB Tykee Smith named PFF preseason first-team All-SEC

Pro Football Focus (PFF) recently released its preseason All-SEC selections for the upcoming 2021 season.

Georgia football is represented by first-team selection, West Virginia transfer  Tykee Smith at defensive back, along with four other first-team selections in LSU transfer Arik Gilbert at receiver, senior guard Justin Shaffer, senior linebacker Nakobe Dean and senior punter Jake Camarda.

PFF wrote,

“Georgia transfer Tykee Smith didn’t allow a single catch of 15 plus yards in his coverage last year”

Smith, out of Pennsylvania, Pa., decided to transfer to Athens after a great season for the Mountaineers. Smith is graded as the best returning defensive back in the country, per PFF.

In 2020, Smith racked up 61 tackles, five pass breakups and two interceptions in 10 games played.

Check out some of Smith’s career highlights here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2qAN-8Vh58

You can find the full list of selections here.