Georgia edge rusher Nolan Smith, a top prospect for the 2023 NFL Draft, will undergo surgery on Thursday to repair a pectoral muscle injury, the school announced on Tuesday.
Smith suffered the injury early in the Bulldogs' 42-20 win over Florida on Saturday. The school did not provide a timetable for his return in the release but did note that Smith is expected to make a full recovery. Pectoral injuries can require a few months of rehab or more.
NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter recently ranked Smith as the eighth-best senior prospect in the country but notes that his undersized frame as a pass rusher could be cause for concern.
The timing couldn't be worse for Smith and the top-ranked Bulldogs, who face No. 2 Tennessee -- arguably the hottest team in college football -- on Saturday in Athens.Â
At 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, per school measurements, Smith has made 18 tackles (seven for losses) in eight games this season, also tallying a team-high three sacks and 16 QB hits. Over his four seasons, he's collected 114 tackles (21 for losses), 11.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one recovery and one interception.
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