University of Georgia Athletics
Photo by: Tony Walsh/UGAAA
Ingram-Dawkins, Jackson Maximizing Opportunities
October 07, 2024 | Football
By Makenzy Wolford
Georgia Sports Communications
Playing with a defense that has battled numerous early-season injuries, the fifth-ranked Georgia football team held Auburn largely in check throughout Saturday's 31-13 win at Sanford Stadium. Two key figures in the defense's effort were defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and safety Dan Jackson.
Ingram-Dawkins made his presence known from the first snap, while Jackson made one big play on special teams and had a team-high seven tackles. Georgia's defense held the Tigers to 337 yards of offense and Auburn was just 4 of 12 on third down.
"I'm just extremely grateful for every opportunity I get," said Jackson, a redshirt senior.
Ingram-Dawkins with one side step and a swim move surged past the Auburn left tackle and into the backfield for a five-yard sack of quarterback Payton Thorne. The redshirt junior frequented the Tiger backfield throughout the contest with four quarterback pressures on the day and another sack for a loss of seven yards halfway through the first quarter. He had two career sacks heading into Saturday's game.
Though his name may be familiar to the Georgia faithful by now, the Gaffney, S.C., native played primarily in reserve roles through his first three seasons. Most notably, Ingram-Dawkins battled a foot injury during most of the 2023 campaign.
But, the injury bug bit the Georgia defense in preseason and has continued to nip at the heels of those in the front seven. With players like Jordan Hall, Warren Brinson, Xzavier McLeod, Mykel Williams and Smael Mondon all battling various injuries, a now-healthy Ingram-Dawkins stepped into the spotlight.
"I missed last season," Ingram-Dawkins said. "So that really made me feel how it feels when you lose the game. So I'm just taking advantage of all my opportunities."
In a star-studded defense known for producing NFL talent, opportunities can be few and far between for those not at the top of the depth chart, but Ingram-Dawkins has taken the moment and made it his.
In addition to Ingram-Dawkins' team-leading two sacks for a loss of 12 yards in the win over Auburn, he was named Co-SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week for his performance against Kentucky. He had two tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble, all of them critical, in the Bulldogs' 13-12 road win over the Wildcats.
The first-year starter leads the team in tackles for loss on the season with seven. The next closest in that category are Christen Miller and Mykel Williams tied with three TFLs.
For the second straight week, Jackson led the team in tackles from the safety position.
Against the Tigers, Jackson chased down seven tackles, caused one of the team's two pass breakups, and blocked a critical field goal at the conclusion of the first half. He takes pride in his ball-hawking abilities, and for good reason.
"For me, it's the way I hustle and fly to the ball," Jackson said. "Because that's what got me on the field in the first place."
After a distinguished career at North Hall High School in Gainesville, Ga., Jackson walked on for the Bulldogs and played scout team in practice for two years before earning playing time in 2021.
What began as a feel-good story of a walk-on earning his place on scholarship has since transformed into one of a leader building stats and respect.
Jackson leads the team in solo tackles (20), is tied for most total tackles (26, tied with linebacker CJ Allen), and is the only Georgia player to have blocked a field goal this season. He also served as a team captain alongside Allen, Dillon Bell and Earnest Greene III against Auburn.
"I'm just thankful to get out there with the guys," Jackson said. "Because at Georgia, I mean we play defense as a unit and it's never a one man show."
As Georgia prepares to host Mississippi State between the hedges, it is unclear who all will be healthy enough to take the field, but with a mentality such as this, anyone is poised for a breakout game.
"We're just going to play with pride. We're not going to let nobody move us," Ingram-Dawkins said. "We're just going to do our job, do what we're told to do. Make sure we're doing our job for our other teammates."
Georgia Sports Communications
Playing with a defense that has battled numerous early-season injuries, the fifth-ranked Georgia football team held Auburn largely in check throughout Saturday's 31-13 win at Sanford Stadium. Two key figures in the defense's effort were defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and safety Dan Jackson.
Ingram-Dawkins made his presence known from the first snap, while Jackson made one big play on special teams and had a team-high seven tackles. Georgia's defense held the Tigers to 337 yards of offense and Auburn was just 4 of 12 on third down.
"I'm just extremely grateful for every opportunity I get," said Jackson, a redshirt senior.
Ingram-Dawkins with one side step and a swim move surged past the Auburn left tackle and into the backfield for a five-yard sack of quarterback Payton Thorne. The redshirt junior frequented the Tiger backfield throughout the contest with four quarterback pressures on the day and another sack for a loss of seven yards halfway through the first quarter. He had two career sacks heading into Saturday's game.
Though his name may be familiar to the Georgia faithful by now, the Gaffney, S.C., native played primarily in reserve roles through his first three seasons. Most notably, Ingram-Dawkins battled a foot injury during most of the 2023 campaign.
But, the injury bug bit the Georgia defense in preseason and has continued to nip at the heels of those in the front seven. With players like Jordan Hall, Warren Brinson, Xzavier McLeod, Mykel Williams and Smael Mondon all battling various injuries, a now-healthy Ingram-Dawkins stepped into the spotlight.
"I missed last season," Ingram-Dawkins said. "So that really made me feel how it feels when you lose the game. So I'm just taking advantage of all my opportunities."
In a star-studded defense known for producing NFL talent, opportunities can be few and far between for those not at the top of the depth chart, but Ingram-Dawkins has taken the moment and made it his.
In addition to Ingram-Dawkins' team-leading two sacks for a loss of 12 yards in the win over Auburn, he was named Co-SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week for his performance against Kentucky. He had two tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble, all of them critical, in the Bulldogs' 13-12 road win over the Wildcats.
The first-year starter leads the team in tackles for loss on the season with seven. The next closest in that category are Christen Miller and Mykel Williams tied with three TFLs.
For the second straight week, Jackson led the team in tackles from the safety position.
Against the Tigers, Jackson chased down seven tackles, caused one of the team's two pass breakups, and blocked a critical field goal at the conclusion of the first half. He takes pride in his ball-hawking abilities, and for good reason.
"For me, it's the way I hustle and fly to the ball," Jackson said. "Because that's what got me on the field in the first place."
After a distinguished career at North Hall High School in Gainesville, Ga., Jackson walked on for the Bulldogs and played scout team in practice for two years before earning playing time in 2021.
What began as a feel-good story of a walk-on earning his place on scholarship has since transformed into one of a leader building stats and respect.
Jackson leads the team in solo tackles (20), is tied for most total tackles (26, tied with linebacker CJ Allen), and is the only Georgia player to have blocked a field goal this season. He also served as a team captain alongside Allen, Dillon Bell and Earnest Greene III against Auburn.
"I'm just thankful to get out there with the guys," Jackson said. "Because at Georgia, I mean we play defense as a unit and it's never a one man show."
As Georgia prepares to host Mississippi State between the hedges, it is unclear who all will be healthy enough to take the field, but with a mentality such as this, anyone is poised for a breakout game.
"We're just going to play with pride. We're not going to let nobody move us," Ingram-Dawkins said. "We're just going to do our job, do what we're told to do. Make sure we're doing our job for our other teammates."
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