When the season began, Arian Smith was predicted by many to be a key component of Georgia’s wide receiver corps.

Although there’s still time, the junior enters Saturday’s game against Florida not having quite the season that many expected he would.

Despite starting two of the Bulldogs’ seven games, possibly Georgia’s fastest wideout only has four catches for 67 yards and one touchdown, which he scored in the Week 2 win against Ball State.

Of late, his opportunities have dwindled. Tuesday, head coach Kirby Smart explained why.

"You know Arian probably had more opportunities earlier in the year as we were down on wideouts for a couple of games,” Smart said. “We had a guy in, a guy out, a guy injured. Ladd's been injured. He's played a lot of the same spots as Ladd, and for whatever reason, he probably hasn't had as many opportunities lately.”

When he has, Smith and quarterback Carson Beck have yet to click, missing on a couple of chances for big, explosive plays.

“He's had some opportunities where he didn't capitalize on it,” Smart said. “And he'd be the first to tell you that.”

Fortunately, Smith is helping the Bulldogs in other ways, and Smart isn’t ruling him out of playing a big role at receiver before the season is complete.

“I'm really proud of him and the role he's played on our team in terms of leadership. He's taken ownership in some special teams units,” Smart said. “He's been elite at gunner, and he's part of the reason that we have not given up many return yards. He's been a big, major factor in that. He's worked really hard after practice on developing as a wideout."