Georgia Football News and Notes for Wednesday

During Wednesday’s SEC teleconference, head coach Kirby Smart was asked about a couple of Bulldogs: freshman wide receiver C.J. Smith and outside linebacker Darris Smith.

C.J. Smith did not play due to an ankle sprain he suffered before the game against Tennessee.

“C.J. should be fine. He’s running, conditioning, and trying to get back,” Smart said. “Darris (undisclosed injury) is practicing and doing everything with us and doing everything now.”

Smart was not asked about other injuries.

However, on Tuesday, Smart said this regarding outside linebacker Robert Beal Jr. (stinger), Amarius Mims (knee), offensive lineman Xavier Truss (toe), and wide receiver AD Mitchell (ankle).“They’ve all been great. They’ve all been super,” Smart said. “I’m hopeful that all those guys will help us and be able to play. I think AD is probably the furthest behind those guys. He hasn’t taken reps, but he’s been out there running, doing exercises. The rest of the guys have been repping.”

Smart did reveal that running back Kenny McIntosh is also banged up, once again with a deep thigh bruise.

A reporter during Wednesday’s teleconference prefaced a question by saying “I think I know what you’re going to say.”

When the question is one seeking a response from Smart on being No. 1 in the College Football Playoff rankings, you’d be correct.

“I have no reaction,” Smart said. “We work, really, on Tuesdays. So…”

Bulldog cornerback Kamari Lassiter and the rest of Georgia’s secondary will see a familiar face Saturday night in Starkville.

Remember wide receiver Justin Robinson?

"He's played one of their outside receiver spots,” head coach Kirby Smart said. “He's made some plays for them. They've gone to him quite a bit in terms of screens and vertical passing game and underneath stuff."

Robinson transferred to Mississippi State, following last season, and has played a role his first year with the program, catching 15 passes for 154 yards and a touchdown.

“It’s going to be a little deja vu,” Lassiter said. “We used to practice against each other all the time. He’s a pretty good player. It’s going to be a good challenge.”

Darnell Washington and sophomore Brock Bowers have been named John Mackey Award semifinalists while senior Stetson Bennett has been included as a semifinalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, according to separate announcements recently.

Washinton and Bowers are two of nine semifinalists for the Mackey Award, which is given annually to the nation’s best tight end. Bowers was also a semifinalist last year before being named the Shaun Alexander and Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) National Freshman of the Year. The Bulldog pair are the only Southeastern Conference players included as semifinalists.

Quarterback Stetson Bennett is one of 10 semifinalists for the Burlsworth Trophy, which honors the country’s most outstanding player who began his career as a walk-on. Bennett, who is one of two SEC players on the list, was a 2021 finalist. In addition, former All-American place-kicker Rodrigo Blankenship was a 2019 finalist.

…Smael Mondon says there will be no overlooking Mississippi State: "You put your best foot forward. You don’t hang your hat on the past—that’s where you’re bound to mess up in the future. So we’re ready to look forward and get ready for Mississippi State.”

…Mondon on his health since coming back from his ankle injury: “It happened in the Missouri game. It was rough, but the bye week came at a good time. I was able to get through the bye week, but it was Florida week before I felt I was finally getting back in the swing of things. Since Florida, I’ve felt better than I did before.”

…Kamari Lassiter on defending Mississippi State’s passing attack: “If you don’t get excited then something’s wrong. It’s a great challenge that we have in front of us. But myself, the defense, and the DBs are working very hard to prepare for that challenge.”

…Lassiter on how playing alongside Kelee Ringo has helped his game: “He’s been that big brother for me, starting last year. I learned from him. I learn from the things he does well, and I learn from his mistakes as well. We just kind of piggyback off each other.”

...Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint on the possibility of clinching the SEC East with a win Saturday: “Right now we are not looking to the future and we’re not dwelling on the past. We are focused on the present. We are focused on getting better day by day. We had a good practice today, and we’re getting ready for practice tomorrow. We have Mississippi State this week. We’re going into a very hostile environment on the road in a night game in their stadium where they haven’t lost in like a year or so. We know it's a great opportunity for us to show the work that we have put in this past week, and we’re thankful for the opportunity that's coming up.”

...Offensive lineman Warren Erickson on Kirby Smart showing videos of MSU fans with their cowbells: “I'm pretty excited about it. Coach Smart has been showing us videos before our team meeting is done of the cowbells and the environment, because they do have a great environment there. So, to be part of that is going to be really cool. I'm excited about it, especially being a night game as well.”