ATHENS, GA — Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, discussed the conclusion of Bulldogs fall camp and get ready for the 2026 regular season. Smart realized that the mentality now shifts to their regular-season opener against Tennessee State on September 5 at Sanford Stadium.
“It’s the second phase of camp for us that we’ve led into and the school part more than anything,” he said. “Getting the guys caught up and better in every facet of what we want to try to get with each side of the ball. Each coordinator is given things they want to work on, and we’re going to try to target those things this week.“
Smart also assessed the second fall scrimmage, pointed to progress on both sides of the ball, highlighting red-zone execution and up-front physicality on offense, as well as takeaways and pressure on defense.
“I thought there were some positives on both sides of the ball,” Smart said. “The offense continues to be effective and efficient in the red area. Our run game, in terms of putting dents in the defense and being physical, was really good. Defensively, I think there were some good turnovers in there, some sacks and created some havoc, which is important.”
Smart also weighed in on the retirement of former Georgia standout and NFL running back Nick Chubb, who announced his retirement. The Bulldogs coach reflected on Chubb’s toughness through two significant injuries and his lasting impact on the program.
“He’s just an incredible person and leader. I think it was more respect than it was necessarily growth. I got two years with him,” Smart said. “His demeanor and the way he went about things and bought into what we were demanding; it was two very tough years for him.”
Smart credited Chubb, along with former teammate Sony Michel, for helping set a standard of buy-in within the Georgia program.
“One was a bounce-back from a significant injury year where we made things really hard and tough in the program, and he never questioned any of those things,” Smart said. “I don’t know that without him and Sony [Michel] that we would get the same buy-in that they had.“
Smart consistently gave credit to Chubb’s character and connection not only to his hometown but also to the University of Georgia.
“Just when you talk about human beings and respect for where they come from, family, name on the back of your jersey; he has tremendous respect from this organization for what he stands for and what he’s done for his hometown and this university,” Smart said. “He’s been an incredible ambassador. To look at what he’s gone through, with those two injuries, I don’t think you can find many people who come back from those two significant injuries.“
With fall camp officially in the rearview mirror, the Bulldogs now turn their attention to opponent-specific preparation as the 2026 season approaches. The quarterback race is one of the storylines to watch. Still, Smart’s comments made it clear that Georgia’s coaching staff is encouraged by the overall trajectory of the roster heading into the year — from a freshman lineman overcoming personal adversity to a defense that’s beginning to create the kind of havoc Smart wants to see translate into the regular season.
