Tykee Smith Looks To Capitalize on Opportunity This Spring

When defensive back Tykee Smith transferred to Georgia from West Virginia following the 2020 college football season, expectations were high that he would emerge as an instant impact transfer that would add an immediate infusion of talent to a Georgia secondary that had been depleted by the departures of multiple starters and key contributors including Richard LeCounte, Eric Stokes, and Tyson Cambell. Smith joined the Bulldog program coming off of an impressive 2020 campaign in which he earned 3rd Team All-American honors working primarily as a slot defensive back for the Mountaineers. That pedigree combined with the departures of both Mark Webb and Tyrique Stevenson - Georgia’s top two options at the critical star position in 2020 - created what many perceived to be a clear path to playing time for Smith. However, a rash of injuries suffered by Smith along with the emergence of underclassman Javon Bullard as an impact player at star introduced adversity to Smith’s quest for playing time, frustrating fans and Smith alike in the process.

Now set to embark on his fifth college football campaign, Smith enters Georgia’s 2023 spring practice as a forgotten man of sorts, looking to make one last run at capturing a starting position at Georgia. However, with Javon Bullard returning for his Junior season as the incumbent starter at star, Smith’s best opportunity to lay claim to a starting position in Georgia’s secondary for the 2023 season may lie at another position. With multi-year starter Chris Smith exhausting his collegiate eligibility following Georgia’s second consecutive National Championship, Smith figures to factor prominently in the competition to replace Chris Smith at safety opposite former Freshmen sensation Malaki Starks. Smith cross-trained at star and safety during the 2022 season and is now entering his third season in Georgia’s defensive scheme. This experience will give Smith an opportunity to make a legitimate run at Georgia’s vacant safety position.

Yet, while Smith will certainly be given an opportunity to earn a starting safety position, he will not be without competition. Veteran Dan Jackson returns from a season-ending injury in 2022 and has long earned the trust of Georgia’s defensive staff. Rising Junior David Daniel-Sisavanh will also factor into the competition after earning a role in Georgia’s dime package last season following the season-ending injury to Jackson. After Malaki Stark’s instant success in 2022, it would also be a mistake to discount five-star Freshmen Joenel Aguero who, like Starks in 2022, will be participating in spring practice as an early enrollee.

Smith’s clearest path to a starting position in 2023 may lie at safety, but he will likely continue to cross-train at both safety and star in order to best position himself to earn a more significant role in Georgia’s defense in what will likely be his final season as a Georgia Bulldog.

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