STATESBORO - After Georgia Southern football scrimmaged this past Saturday afternoon, redshirt senior defensive lineman Kierron Smith learned he was placed on scholarship this season. GSEagles.com had a chance to catch up with him to get the Fitzgerald native's thoughts:  

What was your initial reaction when you learned you were on scholarship?
"Unbelievable. Happy. Happy that my teammates were happy. It was an unbelievable feeling. It was love, it reminded me of the stop versus App State and the love from my teammates." 

Who was the first person you called after?
"My mom, she was crying."

Why did you choose Georgia Southern?
"It is close to home. I like what it stands for, the blue-collar work ethic." 

Favorite memory at Georgia Southern: 
"First practice at The Tip." (Anthony P. Tippins Family Training Facility)

What are your goals for the season?
"Personally, I want to be the best that I can be and give everything I've got every day. I want to be a great leader, lead the younger guys, and lead this defense. For the defense, I want us to be the number one defense in the conference. I want us to be the number one defense in the country that dominates all around." 

What is your mentality like going into the season? 
"Be dominant!"

Smith enters his fifth season at Georgia Southern with 21 games under his belt and several key stops last season against App State and Marshall as he looks to build and dominate up front this season.  

Georgia Southern opens the 2023 season on Sept. 2 against The Citadel. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. inside Allen E. Paulson Stadium. Tickets can be purchased at GSEagles.com/Tickets.