Georgia coaches took to the podium Tuesday during the first day of SEC meetings in Destin, Fla.
Football coach Kirby Smart delivered some news on the condition of quarterback D’Wan Mathis and a couple of recruiting nuggets. Meanwhile, basketball coach Tom Crean hinted at moves on his roster.
Here are five things discussed:
• On roster management: Despite some players opting to leave early or transfers, Smart says the team will continue to operate with its allotted 85 scholarships.
• On the Georgia-Florida series: The annual matchup with the Gators is under contract to be played in Jacksonville, Fla., through the 2021 season.
As for moving the game to a home-and-away series between Athens and Gainesville, Fla., Smart said: "You are always looking to see what you can do to make your program better. Nothing is off the table, but nothing has been decided."
• On recruiting in Jacksonville: Smart says playing in Jacksonville hurts the Bulldogs from a recruiting standpoint.
"Absolutely it costs you a recruiting weekend. You don't get to have anybody, they don't get to have anybody," Smart said. "So our version of the LSU-Alabama game is held in Jacksonville and we don't have prospects. So it's not conducive to recruiting, absolutely it's not.
"It's just not great for recruiting because you lose a home game every other year and that just comes with it. But it certainly helps to have more home games."
• On D'Wan Mathis: Quarterback D'Wan Mathis was released from an Athens hospital Monday after undergoing emergency surgery to remove a cyst from his brain.
"D'Wan has been awesome, his family has been awesome. He's handled everything with great class. D'Wan's doing great, he got out of the hospital yesterday. He's begun rehab and therapy.
"We are expecting a full recovery and the timeline is the least of our concern right now," Smart added. "We are worried about his health."
• Will Claxton go pro? Crean confirmed from Destin, Fla., that 6-foot-11 sophomore forward Nicolas Claxton's decision to remain in the NBA draft was imminent, but did not hint as to the outcome.
"He has a great family and support system," Crean said. "No matter what happens, you support it, and you move forward."
Claxton has until June 10 to state whether he'll maintain his college eligibility or go pro. The draft is June 20 in New York.
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