Kirby Smart on college football player pay
The gist
Georgia coach Kirby Smart said he supports college players getting paid, after saying past players were hungrier.
His comments touch the NIL era's effect on practice habits and injuries.
How it unfolded
- Oct 31, 2026After Georgia beat Florida 27-8, Kirby Smart said players in the past were 'definitely hungrier' before the new age of college football, noting roster depth is not the same.
- Nov 1, 2026A video posted by SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) showed Smart answering a question about the SEC's injury 'carnage,' with lines on injuries, player hunger and player pay.
- Nov 1, 2026Smart said 'everybody's practicing less but everybody's getting injured more' and that it 'doesn't add up,' adding he had no good answer and citing a 'big decision' on roster limitations.