CONFIRMED: Nolan Smith Tweaked Hamstring In Eye-Opening 4.39 40-Yard Dash
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ATHENS - Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs have built an “NFL Factory” in Athens, Georgia.
After setting the 2022 NFL Draft on fire last year with a record-breaking 15 picks and five first-round selections, the Bulldogs are set to have another big weekend in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft.
Multiple back-to-back national champions will hear their name called in the first round, and one of them is outstanding EDGE defender, Nolan Smith. In fact, Smith has +140 odds to be selected in the top-10 on the Draft according to FanDuel.
The Savannah native and No. 1 high school prospect from the 2019 class, Smith turned heads at the NFL Combine in March and ran an incredible 4.39 in the 40-yard dash in Indianapolis, Indiana.
As good as that run was, Smith said in an interview with NFL Network that he could’ve run faster. In fact, Smith said he actually injured himself a little during his personal-best 40 time.
“That 4.39 run was a personal record for me and it was just an amazing moment”, Smith said in his NDL Network interview. “I felt like I could have given a little more juice. I tweaked my hamstring slowing down at the end. I didn’t run a second one because of it but I really wanted too. IT was a personal record but I was hoping to go faster.”
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Freshman outside linebacker Marvin Jones Jr. recorded Smith’s impressive run on his Instagram page, showing Smith’s former Georgia teammates going crazy after seeing the 4.39 time come on the screen. Jones’ video went viral, and Smith was asked about the famous reaction during the interview.
“It was amazing just seeing those guys cheer for me. That just shows thee connection at Georgia and the connection we have in our locker room. Those guys are always rooting for each other and they’ll always be my friends. That was my guy Marvin (Jones Jr) who was recording. I love Marvin and he’s going to be a great outside linebacker at Georgia. He was the young guy I took in under my wing. I just can’t wait for those guys to go take advantage of their opportunities again. I’ll always be rooting for those Dawgs.”
Smith was also asked about his journey at Georgia, and he gave a lot of recognition to a former Georgia Bulldog legend, Azeez Ojulari.
“My journey started following Azeez Ojulari. Azeez was a great player and I just followed after him. As soon as I got to Georgia he was doing everything the right way and he was a great leader for our team. That’s one guy that taught me the playbook and everything I know. When I steeped on campus he embraced me and helped me become the player that I am today.”
Smith made 114 tackles and 11.5 career sacks during his four-year Bulldog career, ending his time in Athens as a back-to-back national champion.
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