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HOOVER, Ala. — Given Roquan Smith's status as one of the top returning linebackers in the SEC, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart isn’t big on comparing him to anyone else. But when asked to do so during SEC Media Days on Tuesday, the former Alabama defensive coordinator turned to one of his former Crimson Tide players as a match.
Smart, who coached at Alabama from 2007-15, likened Smith’s game to former Alabama great C.J. Mosley, who earned his second Pro Bowl appearance for the Baltimore Ravens last season.
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“Roquan is a standalone player,” Smart said. “He's a guy you can draw comparisons to a lot of players. If I had to draw a comparison to anybody, it would probably be closer to C.J. Mosley athletically, the ability to cover and move in space.”
That’s high praise for any linebacker. Mosley was a two-time first-team All-American at Alabama and earned the Butkus Award during his senior season in 2013, finishing with 108 tackles, nine for a loss and nine quarterback hurries. Mosley was selected with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft and already has 342 tackles in his three seasons in the NFL.
“That’s truly an honor, just to be compared to a guy like C.J. Mosley who made like two or three Pro Bowls in the NFL, done a lot of thinks when he was over at Alabama,” Smith said. “Just being able to be compared to someone like that means a lot.”
Smith has put up some solid numbers in his own right at the college level. During his sophomore season last year he led Georgia in tackles with 95 with five for a loss. While he’s honored by the comparison to Mosley, the 6-foot-1, 225-pound linebacker said he actually takes his playing style from several different players.
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“Me as a player, I feel like I have a lot of things from a lot of games,” Smith said. “I can’t just put like just one person and say I’m like him. So, I’m just me.”
Due to a torn pectoral muscle, Smith was forced to miss Georgia’s spring practice. However, the injury does not appear to be long-term and he should be ready to go by the time Georgia starts its season against Appalachian State on Sept. 2.
With another solid season this year, Smith could join the ranks of former Smart linebackers to make it to the next level. During his time at Alabama, Smart had a hand in coaching 10 linebackers who were selected in the NFL Draft, including first-round picks in Mosley, Reuben Foster, Dont’a Hightower and Rolando McClain.
“It means a lot to be developed by a guy like Coach Smart,” Smith said. “His track record speaks for itself. Just being able to play for him is truly an honor.”
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