University of Georgia Athletics
Quick Chat: Kamari Lassiter
October 29, 2023 | Football, The Frierson Files
By John Frierson
Staff Writer
This Georgia football season has been unlike the previous two for junior cornerback Kamari Lassiter. The top-ranked Bulldogs are still rolling, with 25 straight wins and counting after their 43-20 victory over Florida on Saturday, and Lassiter is playing at a very high level, but now after each long day of school and football, he gets to come home to Koco.
Koco is Lassiter's puppy, and she's changed his life, he said during a Quick Chat after practice one day last week, his face lighting up as spoke. "I can't really remember how life was without her," he said.
Originally from Savannah, Ga., Lassiter went to high school in Tuscaloosa, Ala., where his mother still lives. When he goes to visit her, as he did when the Bulldogs were off last weekend, he said he tends to go as incognito as possible. Of course, he always stands out on the field. Lassiter had five tackles against Florida on Saturday, and he's sixth on the team with 26 stops this season.
During our Quick Chat, Lassiter talked about his off week, Halloween, his puppy, and much more. Here's some of what he had to say:
Frierson: What was the best part of being off last weekend?
Lassiter: The best part was just being able to go back and visit my family. Just going back to see mom, pops, and just being around them and the family.
Frierson: When you go home, is there a specific meal you're hoping to have?
Lassiter: Whenever I go home, my mom and I like to go to a sushi spot, we like to go get sushi, so that's really our thing.
Frierson: We've got Halloween coming up soon, so what is your favorite Halloween candy?
Lassiter: Skittles — just the original ones in the red baggie.
Frierson: What about the best Halloween costume you've ever worn?
Lassiter: [Laughs] The best Halloween costume I've ever worn was my football uniform. I never really was a big dresser-upper for Halloween.
Frierson: I wasn't either. Just give me the candy.
Lassiter: All I ever wanted was the candy.
Frierson: Who is the funniest guy on this year's team?
Lassiter: Oh, my goodness. I can't tell you who the funniest guy is because we have so many. The top three, I'd have to say, are Bull (Javon Bullard), Tykee, I'm definitely up there, and let me think of somebody from the offense. I'll go with Aliou Bah, he's pretty funny.
You know who's sneaky funny? Carson (Beck) is sneaky funny.
Frierson: I had someone tell me the other day that Brock Bowers is really funny.
Lassiter: Brock is hilarious. Brock is a character, for sure.
Frierson: Do you feel like you almost have a master's degree in football at this point, given how much you've learned in your time at Georgia?
Lassiter: I definitely feel like I'm working toward my master's degree. I feel like I'm almost toward the end of my master's degree in football, definitely. Just the things that I've learned being here, things I didn't know about football, and I thought I knew a lot about football when I came in. Boy, was I wrong.
The things that I've learned over these three years and counting have been really a blessing. It's a lot.
Frierson: Does that sort of education make you think about coaching one day, after you're done playing?
Lassiter: I definitely would like to pass on all of the knowledge that I've got, whether it be by coaching or whether it be mentoring and things of that nature.
Frierson: If you could travel anywhere in the world on somebody else's dime, where would you go and who would you take with you?
Lassiter: I would probably take my mom to Dubai. I feel like that would be an exotic place that's out of the way. It would be pretty cool to say that I've been there.
Frierson: What is the best class you've taken at Georgia? Is there one that you found super interesting?
Lassiter: It would probably be my sports marketing class. It's just something that I'm very interested in, sports marketing, which has everything to do with all aspects of sports and how you can market yourself and other brands in a different way.
Frierson: How do you judge your performance in a game? Do you ever look at your stats, or is it solely based on what the film shows you? I feel like fans are going to evaluate a performance in a much different way from players and coaches.
Lassiter: I'd say players and coaches and staff members definitely view the game differently from the fans. I'm very critical of myself, and I evaluate myself and how I played based on: What was my job? What was my assignment? Did I complete that to the best of my ability?
It's strictly film-based. You definitely want to take your feelings out whenever you're evaluating film, because feelings can prevent you from reaching your full potential. Just being critical of yourself and your performance is very important to progressing.
Frierson: It's a pretty typical Tuesday night as we do this, and you've just wrapped up a full day of school and practice, so how will you spend the rest of your evening?
Lassiter: I'm going to go home, I'm going to take my puppy for a walk, and then we're going to watch some Florida tape. And that will be our night.
Frierson: Tell me about your puppy.
Lassiter: I have a pit bull, and her name is Koco.
Frierson: Has she changed your life?
Lassiter: She definitely has. I can't really remember how life was without her. I can definitely say she keeps me on my toes.
(This Q&A was lightly edited for length and clarity.)
Assistant Sports Communications Director John Frierson is the staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Tennis Hall of Fame. You can find his work at: Frierson Files. He's also on Twitter: @FriersonFiles and @ITAHallofFame.
