Over the summer a Georgia Football hype video of the team working out featured senior defensive lineman Zion Logue saying, “If you don’t want to work, do not come to the University of Georgia.” This idea is reemphasized with an assortment of other sayings and mantras like “better never rests” and “eat off the floor.” It’s these philosophies that keep the team hungry, lead them away from complacency, and keep them striving for more.
At a place like Georgia, you’re practicing with the best of the best. You’re either lining up against one of the nation’s best former high school prospects or potential candidates for the NFL draft. Good is everywhere. And every now and then there’s a guy you may not recognize from the latest recruiting rankings. A guy who had to grind a different way to get there. A guy like Gainesville native and walk-on defensive back, Dan Jackson.
As a walk-on, senior safety Dan Jackson has lived by this standard, having to constantly work for his opportunity to see the field and show he’s capable of contributing. He said:
“If you show you can play, and you show you have that work ethic, I think Coach Smart really appreciates that.”
And it’s proven true. In 2021 this former zero star recruit was playing meaningful snaps alongside former five-star Lewis Cine during the Dawg’s first Natty run in over 40 years. The only thing stopping him from getting more time last season was a foot injury. He played meaningful time against UT Martin, and he’s going to contribute again against Ball State this coming weekend. And after that, barring injury, he’s going to continue to play because this man is an absolute dawg.
It’s something about these walk-ons that’s just different. Stetson Bennett last year. Dan Jackson and Mekhi Mews this year. Though Jackson doesn’t see the label of “walk-on” as anything that holds him back saying:
“For me, ‘walk-on’ was never really something I let get to my head. You just come in and bust your butt everyday, and it’s gonna pay off.”
Right now it is paying off for Jackson– literally. Coach Smart has said before that because of his play, Jackson has earned NIL deals that can now pay for his college without a scholarship. It goes to show how much hard work can get you. It goes beyond football, but at Georgia the philosophy just works.
If you don’t want to work, do not come to the University of Georgia.