Here's why Georgia football coach Kirby Smart visited Hephzibah High

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Early on Tuesday morning, a helicopter descended onto Hephzibah high school’s baseball field. Emerging out of the aircraft was Georgia football head coach Kirby Smart. The two-time national championship coach of the Bulldogs came to Hephzibah to visit Rebels juniors Dextavion Reese and Keith Dunn Jr.

Reese, a junior wide receiver and safety, and Dunn Jr., a junior defensive end and tight end, had been receiving Division-I interest and offers up to this point. But they had no idea that Smart would be coming in to see them.

“The fact that the head man jumped in a helicopter and actually flew in to see them, it says a lot,” Hephzibah Rebels head coach Daniel Dorsey said. “[It] kind of builds that confidence and recognition that you know they deserve.”

While Georgia football has sent members of its staff in the past to scout Hephzibah players, it’s the first time that Smart himself has personally came to speak with the players personally. Not only did that build confidence in Reese and Dunn Jr., it also was a confidence boost for the entire Rebels football program.

“It means a lot,” Dorsey said. “It means the hard work and dedication and things [the athletes] put in is starting to show off as being recognized by the college recruiting world and college coaches.”

Smart didn’t give Reese and Dunn Jr. an offer after his visit. But he did tell them that Georgia will be watching and they’ll be back for spring football where they can evaluate them further.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Georgia football coach Kirby Smart visits Hephzibah High School

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