Kirby Smart issues statement on Maurice Smith waiver approval|UGA Hot Topics|Team BattleGround|College BattleGround

Haisten brought you the news earlier that former Alabama defensive back Maurice Smith has been granted a waiver by the SEC which will allow him to compete immediately for Georgia. After essentially staying mum on the struggle that pitted one of Smart’s former (and now current) players against his former boss, Kirby Smart has now issued a statement on the matter.

I want to express appreciation to Southeastern Conferenmce Commissioner Greg Sankey for granting the waiver which will allow Maurice Smith too pursue his dreams at the University of Georgia as a graduate transfer. This has been a difficult situation to navigate and we are grateful to all who have been involved in bringing it to a resolution. Now that it is behind us, we are all anxious to move forward.

In the end, Smith has a lot of work ahead of him. The Bulldog secondary is chock full of veteran players who’ve been working with Mel Tucker in Smart’s system since the spring. Smith also faces the challenge of getting back into football shape, which anyone whose ever spent August acclimating to Georgia weather in full pads will tell you is a very real thing. Still, Georgia is picking up a player with three solid years of experience in Smart’s defense, a player who was in position to start for the defending national champions before escaping the compound in Tuscaloosa. That alone won’t win any football games this fall, but it darn sure won’t hurt, either. Until later . . .

Go ‘Dawgs!!!