As the dog days of summer roll on, GSEagles.com is sitting down with each of the 11 position coaches to discuss their room. Up next is defensive line coach Ced Douglas.

Q: Coach, what were your overall takeaways from spring ball with your defensive line?
CD: I thought the group had a really strong spring. Having worked with Coach Bailey before, I was already familiar with the scheme, so my focus was on evaluating our guys and helping them take the next step. And I was really impressed. We put a big emphasis on pursuit and physicality, and they didn't disappoint. It's a really solid group—and one I'm genuinely excited about.

Q: Which veterans stood out during spring practices?
CD: One guy in the middle who really pops is Latrell Bullard. When you watch the film, then see him live, he's the kind of player people will regret overlooking. At his size, the way he chases the ball is impressive.

On the edges, we've got a lot of experience. Davion "Chewy" Rhodes showed off his speed and athleticism. Da'Shawn Davis is like a Ferrari out there—fast, explosive, a real difference-maker. Kebba Secka had arguably the best spring of anyone in the room, and that's saying a lot. Jacob Ferguson is another veteran who brings great communication and a sneaky-good pass rush game. It's a deep, experienced room, and that's a great thing for us.

Q: How about some of the younger or newer faces—who made an impact this spring?
CD: Two guys who were here last year—Kebba and Eli Anders—both had great springs. Eli's another one I'm really excited about. He's just behind some older players, but he's going to be an impact guy for us.

We're young on the interior after losing a couple pieces to the portal, but I feel confident in the guys we've brought in. Kwon McGinney and Caleb Moore came in this summer and didn't miss a beat. From Day 1, it felt like they'd been here already.

And I have to shout out Korey Jordan—he really turned it on at the end of spring. He's still growing, still developing, but he's locked in, and you can tell he sees a real path to the field. He's had a great summer.

Q: Who are the leaders in your room?
CD: Chewy Rhodes commands respect. Ferg is another guy—when he speaks, guys listen. And Latrell Bullard just has a presence. He's like the OG of the group. I've been challenging him to really embrace that leadership role and take it to another level.

Q: What position battles are you most excited to see unfold in fall camp?
CD: The biggest one will be on the interior—at defensive tackle. We've got another guy joining us soon, so it'll be fun to see how that shakes out. There are definitely going to be some new names pushing the vets.

I also have to give credit to Coach Rip Rowan—he really hit on those freshmen. Elijah Fears is one who's jumped out right away. On the edge, Kebba is doing enough that it keeps a guy like Chewy sharp. That competition's going to make us better, and the good news is Chewy doesn't take days off. There will be some great battles in camp.

Q: What's the main message you're preaching to your group this fall to help this team succeed?
CD: It comes down to three things—consistency, violence, and pursuit. We've got to show up every day and do it the right way. Not just one great practice or one big game—we've got to stack consistent effort and execution.

And I'll be honest—I hang my hat on how violent we play. When teams watch our film, I want them to feel it. I want the next opponent to say, "Man, those dudes are physical and they bring it every snap." Finally, we're going to pursue the football. That's non-negotiable. If we bring that consistent effort, play with violence up front, and swarm to the ball, we're going to be a force this year.