Tray Scott isn’t rushing to hand out headlines for Georgia’s defensive line, even if the room is loaded with players who could make noise this fall.
As the Bulldogs worked through their second week of fall camp, the veteran assistant kept his message centered on the group rather than any one name. He acknowledged the talent in the room, but his public read on the unit was measured.
“To me, nobody's really just stood out in the group. There's been little flashes, which you would expect it to be,” Scott said.
“It's being physical at the point of attack, going against our O-line every day. You're going to get calloused, you're going to have some war wounds, and that's what makes us end up being how we need to be, just because we're able to help each other improve on that.
“It hasn't been anybody that just stood out that I'm going to point out right now. But they are doing a hell of a job, working every day, having that marathon mindset, and really trying to focus on the journey instead of the destination. So that's been fun.”
Even without singling anyone out, Scott still gave a clear snapshot of where several expected contributors stand. He brushed past a question about what Georgia needs from Elijah Griffin, saying the sophomore has already done enough.
He described Gabe Harris as tough and resilient after returning from turf toe. Jordan Hall drew praise for his love of the game and the way he came back from injury.
Josh Horton, Scott said, is working to get better against the run, while Xzavier McLeod is a big man who can move in a way that stands out. Joseph Jonah-Ajonye, meanwhile, is the player Scott wants to see take the next step.
The first-year group also left an impression. Scott mentioned Valdin Sone, Lawson Luckie, AJ Lonon, Preston Carey, and PJ Dean as freshmen going through their first fall camp, and he liked the way they have shown up.
“It’s been fun with those dudes, just working with them because, man, they approach it. They definitely are in the mold of hard work works, and man, they come to grind,” Scott said.
“Looking forward to seeing all them boys. It's early in the process, but they are flashing the way they need to.”
Scott credited Hall with helping bring those newcomers along, but he made it clear that leadership in this room is broader than one player setting the tone. For him, it begins with each veteran handling his own business.
When the older guys stay locked in on their own development, the whole line benefits. The younger players, by showing they’re willing to learn, make that job easier.
That’s also why Scott doesn’t place the weight of leadership on a single Bulldog.
“That burden of responsibility with leadership is kind of spread out about the group with how we try to create a certain culture in there. Because at Georgia, if you're good enough, you're old enough in our mindset,” Scott said.
“We want the rookies to feel that pressure that the veterans do, too. That way it can help them with their preparedness and approaching it the right way.
That way they can earn the trust of the guys that have done it and been in those battles, time in and time out.”
Scott also pointed back to the recent wave of NFL contracts signed by former Georgia defensive linemen, and he saw that success as part of the same bigger picture. He remembered Jordan Davis arriving at Georgia, making his mark, and helping recruit Jalen Carter. What stood out to him just as much was the bond Davis and Carter formed, and that’s the kind of connection he hopes is developing inside the current room.
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