Kirby Smart compares Justin Thomas and TaQuon Marshall

ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 26: Head Coach Paul Johnson (L) of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets is congratulated after the game by Head Coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 26: Head Coach Paul Johnson (L) of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets is congratulated after the game by Head Coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

Georgia coach Kirby Smart knew Georgia Tech great Justin Thomas quite well – Smart had been his recruiter when Smart was defensive coordinator at Alabama and Thomas was a prospect at Prattville (Ala.) High.

It turns out he knows Yellow Jackets quarterback TaQuon Marshall as well. Marshall attended Alabama camps four consecutive summers, Smart said Tuesday. Marshall grew up in Harris County, which is on the Georgia-Alabama border.

“He came, and he worked so hard,” Smart said. “I always thought he was a special athlete, but I didn’t know he had the toughness he had this year. He’s taken a lot of shots, and he runs that ball with a purpose.”

Smart’s comparison of the two quarterbacks: “They’re similar. I’d say TaQuon likes to run the ball a little more. He enjoys keeping it, and he’s a tough guy. He’s a really good passer. I thought Justin was a good passer. TaQuon’s a really good passer.”