ATHENS — Michael Barnett, the Georgia football epitome of “Team Guy,” took some time out for DawgNation on Sunday.
It was part of a special Easter evening live presentation for Barnett, a chiseled 6-foot-4, 300-pound NFL prospect who’s sure to find himself in an NFL camp once action resumes.
Barnett was on top of his game discussing his underrated career with the Bulldogs. Of course, being the sort of leader he is Barnett spent more time talking about his teammates, especially up-and-comers he expects to stand out.
One of the more entertaining exchanges was when Barnett came clean about his disdain for playing Georgia Tech. Barnett’s dislike for the Yellow Jackets had nothing to do with it being a rivalry.
“Honestly, I don’t even consider that a rivalry, and I know that’s probably going to blow up,” Barnett said, tracing his dislike back to the added measures of preparation the Yellow Jackets option once triggered.
“The days leading up to that game, we had to go through so much!”
Indeed, a recently disclosed Kirby Smart camp tape revealed that UGA inside linebackers coach Glenn Schumann spent two years studying the triple option. Smart shared that Schumann’s father had coached it and helped him master his expertise.
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Georgia’s dominance in the Georgia Tech series the past few years has made it clear Smart has no intention of losing again to the Yellow Jackets during his coaching tenure. That’s regardless of what offense they run.
Barnett’s take on Florida might also surprise fans. It seemed Barnett’s Auburn memories were most bittersweet and certainly came straight from his heart.
As soon as George Pickens name was mentioned, Barnett broke into a grin and explained why the young receiver garners so much attention from teammates.
It was all part of the fun in what amounted to a relaxed exit interview of sorts with DawgNation fans on Sunday night:
