A Georgia football football sophomore who was rated the nation’s No. 2 tight end prospect in the 2023 recruiting cycle is ending his college career.

Pearce Spurlin will take a medical disqualification due to a congenital heart condition that was already being monitored, coach Kirby Smart said Tuesday morning before the Bulldogs began spring practices.

Smart said Spurling made the decision with his family after discussion and counseling with medical specialists.

“Over time he and his family had to make a decision," Smart said. "They made the decision to give up football to be safe. Really a tough decision for him. We’re praying for him and his family. He’s going to be fine. He's out there with us now helping, but it’s just too much at risk for him."

Spurlin will remain on scholarship and remain part of the program.

"You hate it for the kid because he was going to be a really good football player," Smart said. "He got so much better during the season but it was something we were monitoring closely."

Spurling, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), said that cardiologists monitor his heart each year and this time it "showed something different, my margins moved into a zone of being at high risk playing contact sports. I always knew this was a possibility and I feel like God graciously gave me a year of playing college football at the highest level on the number one team in America. That is something I will carry with me forever."

The 6-foot-7, 230-pound Spurlin from, South Walton High in Rosemary Beach, Fla., had 3 catches for 60 yards last season in six games after breaking a collarbone last spring.

More: Here's our projection for the Georgia football depth chart heading into spring practices

More: Five Georgia football newcomers to keep tabs on this spring

The Bulldogs lost All-American tight end Brock Bowers who is a projected NFL first round pick.

Junior Oscar Delp and sophomore Lawson Luckie return at the position and the Bulldogs will bring in Stanford transfer tight end Benjamin Yurosek this summer.

Spurlin was the nation’s No. 76 overall prospect in the 2023 class and the No. 2 tight end.

In other injury news:

• Defensive end Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins is out for the spring with a left foot fracture and will be ready for fall camp.

• All-American Safety Malaki Starks from Jefferson will be limited this spring after shoulder surgery. "He won't be full go," Smart said.

• Inside linebacker Smael Mondon is also out for the spring after surgery for a stress fracture in his foot.

• As expected running back Branson Robinson, is not cleared for spring. He is recovering after sustained a ruptured patella tendon last August and "looks good running straight ahead," Smart said.

• Wide receiver Rara Thomas will practice some but won't be full speed after coming off a foot injury.

• Wide receiver Colbie Young, the transfer from Miami, is slowed by an ankle injury

• Freshman cornerback Demello Jones is dealing with a hamstring injury.

• Defensive lineman Christen Miller is limited some after meniscus surgery.

• Inside linebacker Kris Jones, a freshman, underwent foot surgery and will be limited some this spring.

• Offensive lineman Bo Hughley had left shoulder surgery to repair a labrum and is out for the spring.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Pearce Spurlin: Georgia TE ends football career due to medical condition