Smith eager for first work as a Dawg

ATHENS – Of the three Georgia players returning from suspension, backup center Ian Smith likely will have the least impact.

Still, the game may mean more to Smith than either Dan Inman or Thomas Flowers. If Smith gets on the field in relief of Nick Jones against UAB on Saturday, it’ll be his first collegiate action.

“I have been waiting a while, and it was rough,” he said, “but I finally got this weight off my shoulders.”

Smith redshirted last year after coming from Cartersville High School, and he had to wait an additional two games to be activated due to an offseason arrest.

While in shape, Smith has some catching up to do in learning the offense, he said. Until this week, he hadn’t had any work with the varsity this fall due to his suspension and an elbow injury.

“I think I’m way more physically ready than mentally ready,” he said.