Jamaree Salyer knew the Arkansas game was going to be a direct challenge to the Georgia offensive line. The Razorbacks had their way with Texas and Texas A&M, doing so while playing a three-man defensive front.

Add in that JT Daniels was unable to play, and the offensive line — which struggled in the early parts of the season — was going to have to play well for the Bulldogs to win.

That’s exactly what the group did, as Georgia ran for a season-best 273 yards. The Bulldogs didn’t throw the ball much but when they did Stetson Bennett was kept clean, as he was not sacked. Georgia has surrendered just 2.0 sacks in the first five games of the season.

“We wanted to have a physical game and be physical with them,” Salyer said. “We took that as a challenge, the three-down front, and go be physical with them and go right at them. I feel like that’s what we did.”

The group has dealt with injuries this fall, as it lost Tate Ratledge in the first game of the season. Georgia is also still trying to find its best five-man combination. This puts Broderick Jones at left tackle, as Salyer kicks down to right guard.

But Jones hasn’t cracked the starting lineup just yet. And Salyer feels he’s playing better at tackle than guard at this moment.

“For me, guard is more of a bending position and I can definitely work on flexibility,” Salyer said. “I enjoy playing guard for sure, it’s my most natural position. I would say I’m playing better at tackle but that’s not to say I can’t go play guard if need be.”

The senior from Atlanta has been getting some tips from Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas. He was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and is having somewhat of a breakout season for the New York Giants.

Thomas isn’t able to watch all the games, nor is he too critical of his former Pace Academy teammate, but Salyer appreciates the help and conversation.

“He’s not too critical, but he checks in,” Salyer said. “He’s like a big brother to me.”

If Salyer continues to play as well as he has, there’s a very good chance he joins Thomas as a first-round draft pick.

The Arkansas game was an encouraging sign for Georgia as it enters the toughest stretch of its schedule. The next three opponents for the Bulldogs are ranked, starting the game against No. 18 Auburn on Saturday.

Of course, Arkansas was ranked No. 8 and Salyer and company had little trouble dispatching them. The offense steamrolled the Razorbacks, closing out Sam Pittman’s team in impressive fashion.

“I think it did give us some confidence of what we can do,” Salyer said. “Our ability to take over a game, because in the SEC that’s a big part of football. Being able to run the ball and take over games when you need to. We still got growing to do, we still have better teams to play so I’m excited about that.”

With Auburn being a road game, and the first true hostile crowd that the Bulldogs have played against since 2019, communication will be key. Salyer admits that’s an area Georgia can improve in going forward.

It’ll be another test for the Georgia offensive line on Saturday. The group aced their last one and know what they have to do to do so in Jordan-Hare Stadium.

“Being able to communicate better as a unit,” Salyer said. “Being on the same page. Got a young center, got young players so being on the same page and being able to execute at a high level is something we can all work on.”

Jamaree Salyer discusses the state of the offensive line

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