(photo: georgiadogs.com)

OLB Nolan Smith and WR Adonai Mitchell both earned SEC player of the week awards for their performances in their week 3 win against South Carolina. Smith shares Defensive player of the week with Alabama’s Will Anderson and Mitchell earned Freshman of the week.

Smith had a career-high eight tackles along with 1.5 sacks, one resulting in a safety, and a forced fumble that led to a touchdown. He is thriving in his role as a starter after some had questioned his development in his first few years. He is now second on the team in sacks with 3 after only recording 5 total in his first two seasons in Athens.

Savannah native and @GeorgiaFootball OLB @SmithNoland2 has been named the @SEC Defensive Player of the Week.

Smith set the tone during South Carolina's first drive of the game with a big QB sack and had a career-high 8 tackles in the Dawgs dominate 40-13 win. @WJCLNews pic.twitter.com/aJVWoDkgPN

— Amy Zimmer (@AmyZimmerWJCL) September 20, 2021

Mitchell scored his first career touchdown as a Bulldog on Saturday and caught a career-high four balls and led the team with 77 yards receiving. Two of his receptions converted third-and-longs, and his touchdown grab was a 38-yard score. He will be a star in Athens for years to come.

First touchdown for the freshman! 🙌 @MoCityMitch#GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/667uRARGJB

— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) September 19, 2021