Kirby Smart and three Georgia Bulldogs came to Dallas on Tuesday this week for SEC Media Days. Rather than provide an extensive recap of everything said at the press conference, this will be the first in a series of SEC Media Day recaps for the Georgia Bulldogs as we grow closer to the season. To get us started, we will discuss everyone’s favorite water cooler topic: Name Image and Likeness (NIL). No doubt, if you are a fan of it or think it is ruining the game, almost everyone has an opinion on it.
Georgia has one of the more organized collectives in college football, the Classic City Collective. As stated on its website, the “Classic City Collective is focused on providing UGA student-athletes a unique opportunity to build a legacy through NIL activities. Our mission is to enrich, educate, and empower student-athletes to better their lives, communities, and futures.”
The relationship has proved fruitful, as Georgia remains a prime player in high school recruiting and the Transfer Portal. If a program has a strong collective, these are two areas where it can flex. Smart’s comment at SEC Media Days showed this relationship and highlighted how it has assisted in his handling another issue this offseason.
Kirby Smart Talks NIL
Clearing the Air on NIL
Smart was asked about conversations around NIL on the recruiting front.
Coach, how do you navigate the world of NIL where you have to participate in it to be competitive, but you also have players who lead with that and just want to get paid? What are your conversations like with recruits and current players and how do you navigate it all?
Smart quickly pointed out that recruiting, even today, is more than just talking about dollars and cents. “It’s a mistake to assume that all players lead with that, or that’s the primary objective.” As the son of Sonny Smart, a former high school football coach, Smart bristled at that idea. “I think that would be an insult to high school football players and really insult to all people being recruited.”
To Smart, recruiting is more than money; if it’s just about money, Georgia moves on. “I don’t experience, I don’t get to the finish line of official visits where that’s the primary objective.” Georgia, under Smart, comes from a place where it can be choosy. They have excelled on the field with two national championships and have many players who have been drafted. They don’t have to get into that conversation like some programs might have to reach and try to cling to those players. Even if conversations are just about money, Smart shares the importance of NIL.
The Brighter Side of NIL
Smart discussed how money is not the primary motivator but is still a factor in recruiting. “Is that one of the key decision makers? Yes. Should it be? Yes.” His statement recognized that money is a factor for players. However, his ideal recruit prioritizes more than just finances. He respects a player’s choice based on NIL deals but emphasizes building a program with a strong culture and development opportunities.
While some coaches have criticized the ever-evolving college football landscape, Smart sees NIL as a positive. “I’m happy that these kids get an opportunity to improve their situation or make money and give back to their families or, in some cases, their communities.”
But at the end of the day, Smart recognized that some recruits will make business decisions. “If it’s better for that young man because of a financial difference between us and another school, I respect that decision and opinion they have to make.” While it has not won him every recruit, Smart shared how NIL has helped him with another problem Georiga faced this offseason.
What about the Fast Cars?
Georgia has been a dominant force on the field during Smart’s time as head coach. A troubling trend of recent is the inability of the Georgia players to obey traffic laws. There have been 24 driving-related incidents involving Georgia players since 2023. We must address the elephant in the room before discussing how they are just kids or how the Clarke County Sheriff’s Department has it in for the Georgia players.
On January 15, 2023, just hours after the team celebrated its back-to-back national championships with a parade through the streets of downtown Athens, offensive lineman Devin Willock and staffer Chandler LeCroy were killed in a high-speed crash. Those 24 incidents have taken place since the accident. Leaving many, this author included, asking why more isn’t being done to prevent or curb this behavior.
NIL Support
This issue and topic were avoided (somehow) during the main press conference. Smart was forced to address the problem as he made his media round after the press conference. He acknowledged the program has an issue but discussed how his NIL collective has responded to the incidents. Smart shared that Classic City Collective is “substantially fining guys for those things.” He emphasized that these fines are not a new policy but an ongoing effort outside his direct control.
Smart isn’t leaving all the disciplines to Georia’s collective. He also detailed efforts to address the issue beyond financial penalties. Georgia has implemented educational programs incorporating defensive driving classes and guest speakers specializing in safe driving practices. “I don’t know, to this point, any coach in college football that’s suspended a player for a driving citation,” Smart said. While Georgia has implemented suspensions and even dismissals for severe driving offenses, Smart emphasized the team’s approach might be unique.
The hope is that a multi-pronged approach – financial consequences, education, and potentially stricter disciplinary measures – will resonate with players and curb these dangerous incidents. His remarks provided new insights into the relationship between NIL Collectives and their program but left all of us wanting more to curb the behavior.
