Georgia adds major transfer in West Virginia DB Tykee Smith

Fans have been waiting all offseason to see if Georgia would address its need for immediate help in the secondary through the transfer portal. This evening word came that new defensive backs coach Jahmile Addea is doing just that by reaching back to his former team.

Tykee Smith earned third team AP All-American honors in 2020, posting 61 tackles and 2 interceptions. The Philadelphia native also started as a freshman in 2019, tallying 53 tackles, 2 interceptions, and a forced fumble.

In short, the 5-foot-10, 198-pound sophomore brings a wealth of experience and productivity at the collegiate level to Athens, a place where, in the secondary at least, experience is in short supply. Smith could anchor one of the starting cornerback slots, where the Red and Black return no starters. He could also wrap up the star spot, where Georgia likewise lost key players Tyrique Stevenson and Mark Webb.

Smith’s signing doesn’t mean that Addae won’t have to play young and/or inexperienced guys in 2021. But he will be able to pencil in veteran safeties Lewis Cine and Chris Smith. And perhaps one or more of veterans William Poole, Latavious Brini, and Ameer Speed elsewhere. Smith’s experience allows the Bulldog staff just a bit more optionally with the few veterans they have available. If he can secure one of the corner spots or the star position and the Dawgs can stay healthy, suddenly that secondary just might not be as powerful a liability as some had feared. Until later...

Go ‘Dawgs!!!