Coach Kirby Smart has long emphasized hard work in the offseason as a cornerstone for success.

Because of their tireless work in summer workouts and on the practice field, Smart’s players tend to be some of the best conditioned in the SEC. That applies not only to his two seasons at Georgia but also the seven years he spent coaching the defense at Alabama.

The season may be three months away, but Smart and his players understand that it’s the work they put in now that will put them in a position to succeed when the ball is snapped.

Georgia opens the season at home Sept. 1 (3:30 p.m.) against Austin Peay.