WATCH: Exclusive Video of Tykee Smith
Georgia Football safety Tykee Smith is in Los Angeles for The Opening, where the nation's top high-school prospects come to compete. Smith is a camp counselor along with LSU defensive backs Derek Stingley Jr. and Elias Ricks, and Florida defensive back Kair Elam.
Smith is fresh off a clean-up operation pf his left thumb performed by the Georgia Football medical staff following an All-America season at West Virginia. Sources have indicated he will have the cast on his left hand removed before the end of the month. He's been a full participant this offseason since arriving on campus in Athens.
According to sources, Smith is likely set to become the starter at the STAR position for Georgia this fall and has transitioned smoothly into the defense during his brief time in Athens.
Despite defensive back Latavious Brini performing well during the Peach Bowl in his first and only career start for Georgia, it was a position of need for the Bulldogs this offseason. It's a pivotal position for the system head coach Kirby Smart and defensive coordinator Dan Lanning run at Georgia, with responsibilities in the run, pass and blitz packages on the roster.
Smith wasn't a highly-touted player coming out of high school, but he developed quickly under new defensive backs coach Jahmile Addae's tutelage. In two seasons at West Virginia, Smith had 111 tackles with 10.5 resulting in a loss. He added four interceptions and 13 pass breakups to his totals. Smith was instrumental in West Virginia leading the nation in passing yards allowed.
His departure was a huge loss for the Mountaineers as Smith earned spots on several All-America teams in 2020. He was also a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. Pro Football Focus ranked him No. 24 on their list of 100 best players of 2020.
You May Also Like
The Final Question on Offense - Who Plays Left Tackle?
Join the community
Follow Brooks Austin on Twitter: @BrooksAustinSI
Follow Kyle Funderburk on Twitter: @DKFunderburk
Subscribe to our YouTube Page HERE
You can follow us for future coverage by clicking "Follow" on the top right-hand corner of the page. Also, be sure to like us on Facebook @BulldogMaven & follow us on Twitter at @BulldogsSI.
