Arian Smith ready to take off

It’s easy to see why there’s a lot of excitement surrounding wide receiver Arian Smith. When he touches the football, good things tend to happen.

Of Smith’s 12 career catches, four have gone for touchdowns.

Just ask Ohio State. It was Stetson Bennett’s 76-yard bomb to Smith with a Buckeye defensive back sprawled helplessly on the turf at Mercedes-Benz Stadium that enabled the Bulldogs to advance to the national championship.

Smith’s three catches went for a career-high 129 yards, the kind of day that has many Georgia fans wondering what he can accomplish over the course of a full season.

The former state of Florida track star – who recorded a wind-aided 10.18 in the 100 meters while still running track for Georgia – would love to find out, too.

“I’m trying to get ready and show what I can do this season,” Smith said. “Last season doesn’t matter doesn’t mean anything. There’s hunger there because I haven’t played much.”

Injuries are the reason why. His Bulldog career has been beset by them.

During his first three years in the program, Smith’s suffered a myriad of different ailments that helped keep him off the field.

So far, however, the news is good.

“Playing this sport, you’re never going to feel 100 percent. I feel good. I feel way better than I did at this point last year,” Smith said. “I’m prepared for any small injuries, things like that, but right now I feel good.”

For now, Smith’s track career is over, a decision which came as a surprise to some, considering he was a legitimate star.

After finishing eighth in his first collegiate track meet at the SEC outdoors, Smith posted his aforementioned 10.18. Later, Smith ran leadoff on the Bulldogs’ 4X100 team that ultimately finished second at the NCAA outdoor meet with a school record time of 38.54.

But football is his only game now.

At 6-foot and 185 pounds, Smith figures to play an integral role in a Georgia receiving room many feel could be the deepest in Kirby Smart’s eighth year as head coach.

Smith’s also anxious to prove he’s not just a track guy playing football because of his speed.

“Definitely. Yes,” Smith said. “I can do anything else other receivers can do, but some attributes are going to shine more than others.”