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Smart downplays recruiting against Saban: 'It's not me against him'

Derick E. Hingle / USA TODAY Sports

Nick Saban and Kirby Smart teamed up to help bring Alabama four national titles, but the pair will now be battling on the recruiting trail in the SEC.

The Georgia head coach made sure to note Wednesday, though, that it won't be a competition between the two men.

"It's not me against him," Smart told John Talty of Al.com. "It's very rare that UGA and Bama are the only two teams recruiting a kid."

Smart makes a good point, but given the fact the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs play in the same conference, both schools are likely to be coveting dozens of the same prospects.

Earlier this year, Smart mentioned that it would be fun to recruit against Saban, but the 40-year-old has now changed his tune.

"I said it would be fun? Oh man, I hope I didn't say it would be fun," Smart said. "I don't look forward to that because I know Nick does a great job in recruiting. He's very relentless; he does a really good job, and they have a great product to sell."

Smart likely knows Saban's recruiting tactics better than anyone, so the competition between Georgia and Alabama could be more exciting off the field than on it in the future.

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