Defensive line coach Anwar Stewart and co-defensive coordinator/outside linebackers coach Brad White were integral in his recruitment.
Rated an 86 on a scale to 100 by 247Sports, Smith is considered the nation’s No. 99 defensive lineman. The Georgia native, who also plays basketball, was named All-Region 8-AAAA. He recorded 58 tackles, including eight tackles for a loss, 8 quarterback hurries, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery.
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Mark Pope shares what it’s like to become Kentucky’s coach after John Calipari
Mark Pope has a lot to live up to in Lexington.
John Calipari is no longer the head coach of the Kentucky basketball program as Mark Pope has taken over.
While the Calipari era didn’t end well for Kentucky, as not much postseason success was achieved after COVID, there are still some incredible memories. Coach Calipari felt it was time for the Kentucky basketball program to have a new voice, and Big Blue Nation seems to have found one with which they are very happy.
Coach Pope recently went on former Kentucky legend and number one pick in the NBA Draft John Wall’s podcast, Point Game, to discuss what’s going on in Lexington.
Coach Pope had this to say about taking over as Kentucky’s head coach after John Calipari on the Point Game Podcast: “In college coaching, one of the oldest adages is that you never take the job after John Wooden. I’m just dumb enough to take the job after all-time, revolutionary, Hall of Famer, one of the greatest coaches to ever walk on the face of the planet, John Calipari. So, that part is super humbling, you know, but we understand the assignment. We understand the job, and we’re going full speed ahead.”
It’s great to see Coach Pope show so much respect to Coach Calipari, just as Coach Calipari did when Mitch Barnhart hired Pope. While these two coaches are going to battle on the hardwood this season, they sure have a lot of respect for one another.
A lot of eyes will be on the television when Kentucky faces Arkansas this season.
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WATCH: Mark Pope, Wildcats discuss why Kentucky is unmatched
The Wildcats are getting their feet wet in Lexington, both coaches and players. Mark Pope got things rolling in April, followed by the rest of the staff in May, then the roster in June — all 12 Cats on campus with the first week of practice officially in the books.
What has that process been like for the team and how are things going into the dog days of the summer? KSR caught up with Pope himself, along with a handful of other players at the Club Blue NEW ERA event in Lexington last weekend. Hanging out with Big Blue Nation for the first time, the Wildcats talked about their appreciation for the opportunity in front of them while their head coach made it clear their championship aspirations remain strong.
Mark Pope explains why Kentucky is unique in college basketball
No, Pope never gets tired of introducing himself as Kentucky head coach Mark Pope. It still excites him every time the words come out of his mouth, especially with recruits.
“I have more joy every time I talk to recruits talking about the University of Kentucky — I just like saying the words. I like saying the words, it gives me a thrill every single time I say it. I’m never going to get over that. That’s never going to become normal for me, it’s not,” Pope said at the NIL event. “We will continue to keep our focus squarely on our incredible gratitude of this opportunity to be affiliated with this university.
“It’s just like every member of BBN, just like every student-athlete, every member of our team: nobody gets to do this, but we do. We’re the blessed ones who get to do this. That’s never going to fade.”
He also discussed what his team’s goals are this summer, the importance of Club Blue and NIL and Kentucky’s relationship with the NBA moving forward.
Take a look at the full interview:
Robinson, Butler, Brea and Perry talk early days as a Wildcat
Elsewhere, KSR spoke with Lamont Butler, Travis Perry, Koby Brea and Jaxson Robinson. A common theme with each? The gravity of Big Blue Nation and adjusting to the most passionate fanbase in college basketball, those four seeing it up close for the first time at the NEW ERA event.
More specifically, Butler talked about his role as a leader as the team’s likely starting point guard while Brea discussed his decision to transfer to Kentucky as the best shooter in the portal. Perry discussed his transition from the high school ranks to college as the state’s all-time leading scorer while Robinson made it clear there was no other option for him among colleges.
If he was pulling his name out of the draft, Lexington was always going to be his next home.
Take a look at the complete set of interviews:
