Kirby Smart raves about the growth from Zion Logue, Dan Jackson

Defensive lineman Zion Logue and safety Dan Jackson aren’t on the top of any draft boards or hogging space in the Georgia highlight reel, as the two veterans have worked their way from scout team to being consistent contributors for the Bulldogs on the defensive side. Recently, head coach Kirby Smart heaped praise on them for their growth.

Mostly, Smart commend the two for how they each toiled for a number of years down on the depth chart, honing their play until they had an opportunity. It’s an example Smart wants others in the Georgia program to follow, especially in the case of Logue.

“Yeah, I don’t even know where to begin with Z Logue,” Smart said. “He’s been a guy that, he’s sat behind the studs we had last year forever. And I was laughing today because we had Bear [Alexander] and Christen [Miller] going down against the one offense and getting just drilled. And I was telling Bear and Christen, you’ve got to do it to get better. And Z Logue was sitting there. I said ‘Ask Z Logue, he spent three years down there.’ Three years of going against Jamaree [Salyer] and Shaf [Justin Shaffer] and just every day. And now, he goes against the scout a lot and he’s over there making those guys better. But those young guys have to go over there and rep. And Z just spent a lot of time working his craft, getting better.”

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Logue has shown up this season playing in the middle of the defense. He hasn’t loaded up on counting stats, but does have a batted pass and a force fumble through three games.

“And he’s still got a lot of things he can improve on. But he’s not afraid to work at it,” Smart said.

Jackson has popped a tad more, in part due to his spot at the backend of the defense, less likely to be swallowed up in the scrum up front. He’s tied for third on the team in total tackles with 10 and has added an interception and forced fumble, to boot.

“And Dan, same thing. Dan was an unknown that really worked his way to the point where he’s a contributor. He’s intelligent. He’s reliable,” Smart said.