College Football
Former Mountaineer Tykee Smith Records Sack in National Title Win with Georgia
From Mountaineer to two-time national champion. That’s now the Tykee Smith story.
After not actually getting to play in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game last season due to an injury, Smith was able to fully enjoy this undefeated championship season with Georgia. The Bulldogs demolished TCU, a Big 12 program Smith was familiar with during his time at WVU, 65-7 to repeat as national champions.
He recorded a sack in the game on Monday night to follow his two tackles in the College Football Playoff first round Peach Bowl win over Ohio State.
💪 @TykSmith #GoDawgs | #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/Vb8MzXtXFg
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) January 10, 2023
Smith spent his first two college seasons with West Virginia before transferring to Georgia prior to the 2021 season. He totaled 28 tackles this season, 21 of which were solo.
While he’s obviously experienced far more team success with Georgia, Smith hasn’t come close to having the individual impact with the Bulldogs he did make at WVU. Smith made 111 overall tackles and intercepted four passes in his two seasons as a Mountaineer.
Ironically, one of Smith’s best individual performances came against the same program that he now enjoyed his best moment in winning a national championship. Smith picked off a pass and broke up another in WVU’s 2020 victory over the Horned Frogs.
Below are images of Smith facing TCU with WVU.
Nov 14, 2020; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers safety Tykee Smith (23) breaks up a pass intended for TCU Horned Frogs running back Zach Evans (6) during the first quarter at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2020; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; TCU Horned Frogs running back Emari Demercado (3) is tackled by West Virginia Mountaineers linebacker Tony Fields II (1) and safety Tykee Smith (23) during the second quarter at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
WPIAL Product Jimmy Kalis Benefiting From Football Family Support
West Virginia Reaches Out to New Wave of Transfers, Including Former 5-Star
WVU Target, WPIAL Star Matt Sieg Elevated to 4-Star Recruit
Source: WVU G Noah Farrakhan to Enter Transfer Portal
WVU Football Going After SEC Transfer DL Looking for Opportunity
Long Tenured NFL Reporter Reveals Information About WVU WR Devin Carter
WVU Looking at Marshall Transfer CB Generating Recent Buzz
WVU Among Major Programs to Reach Out to Top USC IOL Transfer
WVU Football Offers FCS Transfer DL During Hunt for Depth
Watch: WVU Football Players Ray, Hubbard, Cutter After Spring Practice No. 12
Watch: WVU Football Players White, Vesterinen, Malone After Spring Practice
Mike Drop: Is Zach Frazier Destined to Play for Steelers?
Alek Manoah Makes Triple-A Start: A Blooper and a Blast
Watch: WVU Football Players Ray, Hubbard, Cutter After Spring Practice No. 12
WVU Football Sights and Sounds: Spring Ball Intensity Remains
Breaking Down WVU Football’s Committments for 2024
12shares Share Tweet Reddit CommentsWith some new recruits announcing commitments to the WVU football program this week, the 2024 class...
Complete List of High School Recruits Offered by WVU Football
10shares Share Tweet Reddit CommentsTo say the WVU football program has been putting in a lot of recruiting work since...
Transfer Players Who Have Signed with West Virginia Football
7shares Share Tweet Reddit CommentsSince the Mountaineers have been increasingly active in pursuing transfers lately and there’s an important distinction...