Linebacker Roquan Smith isn't just one of Georgia's best defensive players; he is one of the best defensive players in all of college football.
Because of that, it was a bit surprising to see that the first questions asked of Smith ahead of Georgia's national title bout against Alabama were about politics. President Donald Trump will be attending the game, and Smith was asked about Trump's visit and politics right off the bat at the national title game's media day on Saturday.
Q: You talked about this week that you like to learn and stuff. Did you vote in the presidential election in 2016?
ROQUAN SMITH: I'm not here to talk about politics and whatnot. If I did or not, that's not really the issue.Q: (Indiscernible) President Trump is supposedly attending the game —
ROQUAN SMITH: That's great and all to have the president come to the game. But I'm not focused on like politics or anything like that.
While Trump's appearance at the game is certainly making headlines, it was a bit bizarre to see one of the game's best players immediately asked about voting and politics. However, Smith handled the questions very professionally and directly, stating that politics were not what he was concerned about right now, as he and the Bulldogs are preparing for perhaps the biggest game in Georgia's history.
Smith had 124 total tackles (11.5 TFL) and 5.5 sacks this season, leading the Georgia defense that still ranks fifth in the nation in points allowed, even after giving up 48 to an explosive Oklahoma offense in the College Football Playoff semifinal game at the Rose Bowl. Smith, a junior, was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year this season, and he also won the 2017 Butkus Award. The Butkus Award is given annually to college football's top linebacker.
