CFP SEMIFINAL CHICK-FIL-A PEACH BOWL: GEORGIA VS OHIO STATE

December 29, 2022

Jamon Dumas-Johnson

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Georgia Bulldogs

Press Conference

Q. What would it mean to you to win the National Championship?

JAMON DUMAS-JOHNSON: It would mean a lot for me, my first year actually playing. It would feel great because I contributed a lot to this team this year. I'm one of the leaders on this defense.

It would just mean a lot because I've been a big contributor this season towards the defense.

Q. How has the last 28 days been? That's a long time between games. What's the mental preparation been like for you guys knowing the break is so long?

JAMON DUMAS-JOHNSON: Just grinding. The whole break, we weren't worried about Ohio State. Sometimes you've got to work on yourself to get back right. So we've been working on ourself, and the last couple days and weeks, we've been worrying about Ohio State.

Just getting back, grinding, regaining the focus, regaining the confidence, things of that nature.

Q. You're ready to play?

JAMON DUMAS-JOHNSON: Yeah, it's time.

Q. Do you think practice has helped prepare you for right now?

JAMON DUMAS-JOHNSON: Practice helped me because practice is like a game for us in Georgia. So that helped me a lot, practicing against the ones as a freshman, just taking it serious. It really depends on how you take it, how you make it.

I'm on scout team, I knew if I take the year seriously, next year I could be the guy, and that will just happen through the grace of God. But that's what I did, and that's what helped me be where I am today.

Q. Coach always says this year is going to be a great year. This is from the beginning of the year till now. Because the young guys didn't really play in the first championship game. They're hungry, and I feel like they're still hungry. Do you feel like that motivates you guys?

JAMON DUMAS-JOHNSON: Especially just the world still doubted us because we had 15 draft picks. This is a whole different Georgia team. They won't be this good. So that actually fueled us to be where we are today. We're still feeding off that energy till this day.

We want to continue to feel that energy just to prove them wrong and prove us right at the end of the day.

Q. How has the week been for you leading up to today?

JAMON DUMAS-JOHNSON: It's been good. Doing a lot of things, preparing for Saturday. Just preparing for Saturday, getting ready for the game.

Q. What's the excitement been like for you?

JAMON DUMAS-JOHNSON: I wouldn't say excitement, but 28 days, it's a long time. I'm used to playing five days and the game's the next day. Just trying to keep getting ready, taking your time, don't rush nothing, taking it day by day.

Q. You mentioned the 28-day versus the 5-day difference. What's practice been like for you guys? Is it harder, more intense, because you have a little bit more time in between the SEC Championship and College Football Playoff?

JAMON DUMAS-JOHNSON: Of course. You don't want to lose that touch of physicality, so you go at it more during this week. We're not just going to sit back, lose our touch, but we've definitely been getting after it a couple days in the span of 28 days.

Q. What do you think has allowed you to make this jump to have the season you've had so far? What's been the recipe for success so far?

JAMON DUMAS-JOHNSON: I always give back to my last year linebackers, Channing, Quay, and Colby. Me and Smael pay attention towards them. They're giving us nuggets on things. They're giving us advice. And actually just us being an open ear and listening, taking that in, not being stubborn and thinking we know it all.

We learned a lot from them guys last year, just to start out this year and prove that it worked.

Q. Do you still keep in touch with them?

JAMON DUMAS-JOHNSON: I keep in touch with them, yeah. That's brotherhood right there. Those are big bros. We're the little bros.

Q. Now have you kind of carried on with that big bro status to some of the younger guys, kind of passing the torch a little bit this year?

JAMON DUMAS-JOHNSON: You've got to. It's only right.

Q. What makes this team stand out? You've been a part of the program for two years now, but this team, again, like last year, it's a special group. What makes this team stand out?

JAMON DUMAS-JOHNSON: Everyone just playing for each other. Everyone having each other's backs. You do your job, we'll be good.

Just the love we've got for each other, the bonds we have created.