John Atkins may not have the most gaudy stats on the Bulldogs defense, but his work in the trenches has given his teams defense a huge boost.
 
 

Atkins the most experienced member of the Bulldogs defensive line unit and he leads with a very team-first and selfless personality that is perfect to display to younger members of the teams’ defense. Atkins understands he will not receive the most praise or recognition from the media because of his lack of actual stats, but he is only worried about helping the team win.
 
 

“Somebody gotta do it. I like it, I love it, ” said Atkins on how he feels playing one of the less glamorous jobs in the nose guard position. “I’m not selfish, I’m selfless.”

 
 
The Bulldogs defensive line and their ability to plug up holes against Notre Dame played a huge role in the team’s success in holding the Fighting Irish to only 55 total rushing yards. Atkins is doing a great job as the senior member of this group to show how an unselfish attitude towards this role on the defense can lead to tremendous team success.
 
 
Coach Kirby Smart and defensive coordinator Mel Tucker have to be pleased with Atkins and the defensive line as a whole and they know that if the rest of the defensive line can continue to buy into this “team-first mentality, then this unit has the potential to be one of the best in the country.