Georgia defensive tackle Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins played the best football of his career for the Bulldogs this past season. Ingram-Dawkins recorded career highs in tackles for loss (eight) and sacks (three). He’s since flashed freakish athleticism at the NFL Combine, running a 4.86 40 and leaping a 36-inch vertical and 10-foot-4 broad jump at 276 pounds.
Ingram-Dawkins recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network. Ingram-Dawkins discussed his breakout season, impressing scouts at the NFL Combine, stopping the run and rushing the passer, and more.
JM: You took a big step forward this season after battling an injury in 2023. You recorded career highs in tackles for loss (eight) and sacks (three). Besides being healthy, what changed for you?
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins: My role changed. I had been competing with older players at Georgia my entire career. When guys like Travon Walker left the program for the NFL, it opened up some more reps and competition. There was more opportunity on the table that was granted to me. I feel like I took full advantage.
JM: How did iron sharpen iron at practice? You have to wait your turn at Georgia and play behind the older guys. You have to wait for reps.
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins: Iron sharpens iron is something we say actually at Georgia. As talented as our defensive line is, we’re going up against the exact same level of talent on our offensive line. Those are some fun battles in the trenches.
When you’re winning, you’re not really learning anything. When you’re losing, that’s when you’re learning structure and getting better. That’s how I learned what I needed to get better at as a player.
You’re not going to win every practice rep at Georgia. In fact, you’re probably going to lose more often than you win. That’s the key when you’re trying to improve certain aspects of your game. That’s how we identify weaknesses. I feel like that played a huge role in our success at the program.
We have unbelievable depth. The type of players we have, our No. 3s can provide the same value as a starter. Our depth played a huge role and that’s how iron sharpens iron at practice.
JM: Every practice is good on good at Georgia. You were outstanding at the NFL Combine. You leaped a 36-inch vertical and a 10-foot-4 broad jump. You also ran a 4.86 at 276 pounds. The numbers are so impressive at that size. I imagine you were thrilled with the performance.
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins: I was very thrilled. I trusted the pre-draft training process. I spent two months training in Arizona. I believed in myself. I went out there with the right mindset. I was able to reap the benefits through the results.
JM: I imagine teams and scouts were so impressed.
Tyrion-Ingram Dawkins: I got great feedback. Some teams weren’t aware of how athletic I am. It was great to put up those types of numbers. It was nice to have teams reaching out to talk about how good I looked. It put my name out there. I’m on the radar for many teams.
JM: Is Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins a three-down lineman at the next level? Talk to me about stopping the run on early downs.
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins: I feel like I provide a lot of value when stopping the run on first and second down. You can put me at the five-technique [position], at defensive end, or even the wide-nine. I feel like I can set that edge on early downs. I want to kill a drive early.
When it comes to third down, you can line me up anywhere and I can rush the passer. You can line me up the middle anywhere from zero-tech to three-technique. I can play that five-tech and wide-nine. From first to third down, I know I can provide value in the run game and rushing the passer.
JM: Talk to me about your pass-rush arsenal. I want to get into that. What are your go-to moves and counters?
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins: I read sets more than anything. Most of the time, I’m reading an offensive lineman's set. If he’s an aggressive setter, I’m working finesse. If he’s very laid back in his set, I’m going to work power.
I don’t have a move that’s my favorite or go-to. I’m reading and reacting. I’m going to take whatever the offensive lineman gives me.
JM: You’re such a smart player. And it’s obvious on tape that you can work finesse and power. Have you completed any team meetings recently, and do you have any of that stuff coming up? It's that time of year.
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins: I have a lot of that coming up. I’ve met with probably half the league. I met with every team at the Senior Bowl and I’ve had a lot more meetings since then. I can’t say any specifics, but I’ve met with a lot of teams in the past few weeks, and I have a lot more coming up.
JM: We've appreciated your time today. What kind of impact is Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins going to make at the next level?
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins: I’m going to make a huge impact, an immediate impact. Whatever team gets me is getting a great guy in the locker room. I’m going to provide a positive presence in the locker room. You can’t be productive on the field without good connections between teammates. That’s huge when you’re looking for success within your program.
I’m going to bring positivity throughout the organization.
