What Tykee Smith Brings to Georgia's DB Room

It was clear Georgia would be making some type of move in the transfer portal especially at the defensive back position. Sunday night they did exactly that with Tykee Smith.

One thing was clear this offseason for Georgia football: They needed help at defensive back, and badly. 

Sunday night, head coach Kirby Smart and his staff added a major key to their defense as former West Virginia defensive back Tykee Smith announced he will be transferring to Georgia. 

Smith has a history with Georgia's newest addition to the coaching staff: defensive backs coach Jahmile Addae, who coached Smith for two seasons at West Virginia prior to coming to Athens. During those two years in a Mountaineers uniform, Smith totaled 114 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, one sack, four interceptions, 13 pass breakups and one forced fumble. Smith has started only 17 games in his collegiate career, but is quickly becoming one of the most respected defenders in the game. 

Had to get it and got it myself, It got rough I never cried out for help...💯#Year2...🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/qhbUlxbsxw

— Tykee Smith (@TykSmith) January 16, 2021

Smith wasn't a highly-touted player coming out of high school, but he developed quickly under Addae's tutelage. Smith was instrumental in West Virginia leading the nation in passing yards allowed.

He immediately adds quality depth to a defensive back room that saw six players from last year's roster depart. It's an extremely thin unit and not only does Smith provide a starting-caliber defensive back, he adds a level of versatility that was desperately needed for the team headed into 2021. 

According to sources, Smith fits the mold at STAR for Georgia moving forward, but is versatile to play safety if need be. He will immediately compete with Latavious Brini, Javon Bullard and others at the STAR position this fall when he is allowed to get on the practice field for the first time as a Georgia Bulldog. 

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