After emerging as the latest walk-on to make an impact at Georgia in recent years, wide receiver Mekhi Mews plans to enter the transfer portal in hopes of a bigger role on offense. The 5-foot-8, 185-pound redshirt sophomore played in 13 games this season, making 13 catches for 155 yards and a touchdown. He also had a key role in the return game as he averaged 26.8 yards on 15 kickoff returns and 10.3 yards on 20 punt returns, taking one for a touchdown.

Smart explained after the Ball State game that Mews has stepped up while Ladd McConkey — who was Georgia’s primary punt returner in 2022 — has been working to get healthy.

“He’s provided a spark. We trusted him last year. He was Ladd’s back-up, he got a couple of returns,” Smart said. “He does it every day in practice. He’s done it for 3 years and done a great job as a scout team guy. And when you go against the guys he’s gone against in our place, you’re going to get better. To be honest, I love Mews. He’s done a great job. But there are 10 other guys out there that are elite at holding people up. There’s Malaki Starks making blocks, Marcus Rosemy out there making blocks. Those are really good football players out there that are holding people up for their teammate.”

Mews also run into some issues when fielding punts, muffing several early in the season.

“I’m glad I’m not back there and I’m glad Mews is. I trust him and I’ve got a lot of confidence in him,” Smart said following the Vanderbilt game. “But until you’ve gone back there and seen Tim Wakefield’s knuckleball do this through the wind — because the other option is don’t catch it. I don’t think that’s a good option either because the ball rolls. Check college football right now and see how many drops and fumbled punts there are. They’re not your traditional kickoff and not your traditional spirals. They’re really hard to catch. I’m proud of what he’s done.”