ATHENS -- Branden Smith thinks the Liberty Bowl is the perfect setting to take a punt return all the way back.
His inability to break one for a touchdown during the regular season has fueled his desire for a signature moment in Georgia’s final game of 2010.
“It bothers me a little bit, since I’m the starter back there and I haven’t taken one to the house,” Smith said. “It just takes time. ... I hope it [happens] during the bowl game, but if it doesn’t, I’ll still have next year. It’ll come soon.”
Smith might be a little tough on himself. He didn’t have many opportunities because he missed four games with two concussions. When he got the chance, he was explosive, averaging 14.3 yards on only 10 returns, including a 40-yarder against Idaho State.
Brandon Boykin has returned four kickoffs for touchdowns in his career and doesn’t let Smith forget it, taunting his fellow cornerback with playful jabs and jokes. But despite Boykin’s own speed and ability in the open field, he remains in awe of Smith, who is one of the fastest players on the team.
“Every time he gets the ball, he can take it the distance,” Boykin said. “Everybody has their eyes on him to see what he can do. He looks fast on the field, but it’s even better when you’re up close. It’s really deceptive. You can have a good angle on him but still miss him, he’s so fast. I think that’s something people don’t realize until he’s by them.”
Smith’s speed and elusiveness are what first drew the attention of Georgia’s coaches, and they're why the Bulldogs now use him in so many roles. In his two seasons, Smith has lined up at running back, receiver, quarterback and cornerback, and he has returned both kicks and punts, giving the program one of its most versatile players since Champ Bailey.
Smith has rushed for 254 yards and two touchdowns, including a 61-yard scoring run in last year’s victory over South Carolina, and he has caught four passes for 24 yards. This fall, he had his first career interception. He also averaged 17.4 yards on 16 kickoff returns as a freshman, but he wasn’t used in that role this season.
“Yeah, I would love to see more plays on offense,” he said. “I’ll line up anywhere they need me, anywhere I can help the team. I played a lot of offense in high school [at Atlanta’s Washington], so I’m comfortable there. When we’re playing offense, I’ll stand next to Coach [Mike] Bobo and let him know I’m ready and available.”
Smith won’t say whether he’s the fastest player on the team but admits he likes to think he is. His main competition comes from cornerback Vance Cuff and special teams ace Blake Sailors.
Boykin thinks Cuff is the fastest.
“I really don’t know,” Smith said. “I’m pretty fast. Top five, I can say. That’s good. It would be a good challenge if me, Cuff and Blake raced. It would be a good challenge.”
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