Smart’s UGA Pro Return Picks: Bowers, Walker

ATHENS, Ga. – If professional athletes could turn back the clock and rejoin their college teams, University of Georgia head coach Kirby Smart knows precisely which two former Bulldogs he’d immediately bring back to bolster his current 2024 squad. Smart recently revealed his dream selections during an appearance on “The Players’ Lounge” show, a popular podcast often featuring Georgia football personalities and hosted by former Bulldogs Terrence Edwards and Brandon Jones.

On the offensive side, Smart’s choice was unequivocally tight end Brock Bowers. “He’s just unique, he’s different,” Smart explained, praising Bowers’ rare ability to impact the game as both a traditional tight end and a dynamic wide receiver. Bowers, a unanimous All-American during his illustrious time in Athens, was a cornerstone of Georgia’s back-to-back national championship teams in 2021 and 2022. His college career saw him amass 2,538 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns over just three seasons, often serving as Smart’s go-to game-breaker in critical moments. Drafted 13th overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2024 NFL Draft, Bowers’ hypothetical return would inject an unparalleled offensive spark into the Bulldogs’ lineup, providing an instant mismatch nightmare for opposing defenses and elevating Georgia’s already potent attack.

Defensively, Smart quickly identified former defensive lineman Travon Walker. Smart lauded Walker’s incredible versatility, specifically noting his capability to play effectively both inside as a disruptive defensive tackle and outside as an elite edge rusher. “To be able to play inside and outside, that versatility is huge,” Smart commented, emphasizing the significant value of such a player in today’s complex defensive schemes. Walker was a crucial piece of Georgia’s dominant 2021 national championship defense, showcasing his elite athleticism and disruptive force against both the run and the pass. His stellar collegiate performance led to him being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Walker’s hypothetical presence on the 2024 defensive line would significantly enhance Georgia’s pass rush, fortify its run defense, and provide invaluable rotational flexibility to a unit that consistently prides itself on depth and disruption.

The discussion on “The Players’ Lounge” tapped into a common fan desire to revisit past glory with current team needs, a hypothetical scenario that often sparks debate among college football enthusiasts. Smart’s selections of Bowers and Walker underscore his consistent emphasis on athletic versatility, high football IQ, and game-changing ability – qualities he has prioritized in recruiting and player development throughout his highly successful tenure. These characteristics have been central to Georgia’s recent dominance, which includes two national titles in 2021 and 2022, and its continuous contention for collegiate football’s highest honors.