Georgia HC Kirby Smart gushes over future Notre Dame Fighting Irish star ahead of their Sugar Bowl matchup
Notre Dame football is set to take on the Georgia Bulldogs on Wednesday night. This New Year’s Day matchup promises to be one of the more memorable Sugar Bowl battles in recent memory, and offers each program a chance to keep their national championship hopes alive. On Monday, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart was available […]
Notre Dame football is set to take on the Georgia Bulldogs on Wednesday night. This New Year’s Day matchup promises to be one of the more memorable Sugar Bowl battles in recent memory, and offers each program a chance to keep their national championship hopes alive.
On Monday, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart was available for the media to discuss the matchup. A member of the Notre Dame media asked Coach Smart about true freshman defensive end Bryce Young. He had some strong words about the talented defender.
“He is an exceptional player. I wasn’t aware of him before we watched a little bit of tape on both Indiana and Notre Dame before we knew who we were going to play. We’re like, who is this guy, 30? He is long. He is athletic. He is twitchy. Then while watching the game, he showed up more. He made some flash plays as a rusher on the edge. Then when I dug deeper into special teams, this guy is phenomenal on special teams. His reach, his athleticism, I don’t know what they list him as but he looks bigger than what he lists at on paper. He's just going to be a phenomenal talent. To do what he’s done this early in his career just shows you how talented he’s going to be.”
Young is of course the son of former Notre Dame, and NFL defensive lineman Bryant Young. His father was a first round draft selection by the San Francisco 49ers in the 1994 NFL Draft. Young spent 14 years in the NFL, being selected to four Pro Bowls and earning a place in the NFL Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the College Football Hall of Fame as well.
There is a legitimate argument that Bryce may even be more naturally talented than his Hall of Fame father. At 6-7 and 258 pounds, Young is a tremendous mover with worlds of upside. Young has recorded 17 total tackles, three tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks so far this season. He has also blocked three kicks on special teams.
It’s hard not to get excited about what Young can accomplish in the blue and gold. Anytime someone like Coach Smart has such strong words about a player like Young, it speaks volumes.
It’s time to forget the cliches and the overanalyzing, and finally focus on the one key for Notre Dame against Georgia
The biggest key for Notre Dame is clear.
