7/11/2017 football Edit

Smart explains what Georgia is looking for at QB for 2018

Georgia is in the running to sign either Matt Corral or Justin Fields. (Radi Nabulsi)

Anthony Dasher • UGASports

Editor

HOOVER, Ala. - If you following Georgia recruiting then you know the Bulldogs are in the running for two of the top ten players in the entire country – quarterbacks Justin Fields and Matt Corral.

Although NCAA rules prohibit college head coaches like Kirby Smart from mentioning recruits by name, Georgia's head coach was asked about his recruiting strategy.

“Obviously, you want to get the best players you can. Each year we tell every player we recruit that next year we’re going to go out and try to recruit a player as good or better than you,” Smart said. “We tell them honestly that you’re going to have to come here and compete because we’re going to try to bring in guys who are as good or better.”

With a pair of five-stars already on campus in Jacob Eason and Jake Fromm, the thought of adding a third fifth-star quarterback is certainly an enticing thought.

But does Smart want a dual-threat guy or stick with a pro-style quarterback?

“As far as pro style or dual threat, that’s so misused in my mind. You’re going to get the quarterback that gives you the best chance to win,” Smart said. “If that’ s a dual-threat guy, then absolutely. But what some recruiting expert says or a site is a dual threat, some kid will say he’s not a dual-threat but he’s been labeled as that.”

Fields is currently the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback in the country according to Rivals and ranked No. 8 overall. Corral, meanwhile, is ranked No. 7 overall by Rivals.

“What qualifies as a dual-threat? Do you have to run 50 percent? Do you have to run 20 percent or just be capable of that?” Smart said. “Again, you look for the best quarterback you can and, in a lot of places, that might be a dual-threat guy. I certainly think those guys are more and more valuable in college than a guy who just sits back in the pocket. But you look at the history of it, you can probably say that both guys have had a lot of big games.

“It’s how you use those guys. We just want to get the best quarterback we can at the University of Georgia.”