STATESBORO – As he enters his third season as an Eagle, veteran Jacob Ferguson has solidified his role as a leader in the D-Line room with Game One on the horizon.
 
Ferguson attended two schools, the University of Northern Iowa and Iowa Western Community College, prior to Georgia Southern. His time in JUCO established a go-getter mindset, which helped him fit into head coach Clay Helton's system here. 
 
"Coach Helton really emphasizes work ethic, and it's not something you can just flip on like a light switch," Ferguson said. "You can't just say, 'I'm going to work hard now,' and expect it to happen. It has to show up in everything you do. If you're doing homework, do it like you're the best student. Eventually, it becomes a habit. They say that it takes 21 days, so by the time we play Fresno State, I'll just be me."
 
The blue-collar mentality takes time to build – something Ferguson admits comes with challenges, though players are not without strong support from the coaching staff, especially from D-Line coach Ced Douglas and Helton.
 
"It has its growing pains, but Coach Helton does a great job helping us with the internal aspect of becoming a man and becoming a better football player, and Coach Douglas does a great job rallying us, and I really look up to him." 
 
Ferguson highlighted the tight-knit bond within the D-Line room, strengthened by a strong veteran presence. With several experienced players guiding the younger ones, he noted that a variety of leadership styles has helped bring the group even closer together.
 
"We're closer than we've ever been," Ferguson said. "A lot of the same guys were here when I transferred, like MJ Stroud, Da'Shawn Davis and Latrell Bullard. They were youngins, and now they're seniors. It's been great to watch them grow. I can confidently say I'll talk to these guys for the rest of my life. When you have that closeness in a D-Line room, it shows on the field because the game starts and ends with us."
 
The trust and camaraderie built within that room allow the players to focus on their job knowing that their No.2 will get the job done. 
 
"MJ Stroud's behind me, and I know he's going to give it his all – just like I will – because I know the kind of person he is," Ferguson said. "It's deeper than football. There will be ups and downs, but the camaraderie we've built in the D-Line room helps us hold each other accountable. You can't lead everyone the same way – you've got to know your teammates and lead them in a way that fits who they are."
 
This season, the words "put the ball down" echo throughout the room – a mantra every player has rallied behind. Douglas and his linemen intend to bring three things to the field on Game One: consistency, violence and pursuit. 
 
"I'm hoping that they see something more physical – something that's violent," Ferguson said. "The game we play and the position we play, it is violent. So when they cut the tape, I want people to see that."
 
The preparation for the 2025 campaign didn't begin during fall camp or even summer ball. It began all the way back in January, and the defense is prepared, utilizing consistency to their advantage. 
 
"We practice the same things every day, and sometimes it feels redundant," Ferguson said. "But championships come down to doing the little things perfectly, and that's what we focus on. When we spend those nine days out in California, we'll rely on our training, what we know, and our belief in each other. We won't be fazed, even if others expect us to be. This isn't harder than Paulson. We've faced plenty of adversity, and that's what has shaped the team we are today."
 
Ferguson has one clear message to Eagle fans. 
 
"Get your popcorn ready. If you're a Georgia Southern fan, you're going to be very happy – if you're not, you will be by the time that we're done."
 
Game One will be played at Fresno State on Saturday, Aug. 30, at 6:30 p.m. PT/ 9:30 p.m. ET. Tune in on FS1 or the Georgia Southern Sports Network.