Georgia Southern defensive lineman Brent Russell has too many titles to list in one sentence.

Preseason, second-team All-American defensive tackle (and the only sophomore in the country to earn All-American).

Preseason, first-team All-Southern Conference.

2009 FCS Freshman of the Year.

Just to name a few.

But Russell, who came to GSU in 2008 and used his redshirt that season after suffering an injury in the opener against Georgia, doesn’t let all of the accolades effect the way he plays his game.

            “I think about it -- it’s hard not to -- but I have to be humble and come out here every day with the defense and work my butt off,” Russell said. “Right now, all I care about is this team.”

            The Eagles have had a list of defensive linemen who have made an impact over the years, including Victor Cabral, who is now the assistant defensive line coach at GSU. Cabral can’t think of anyone he played with that reminds him of Russell.

            “He’s a player all of his own,” said Cabral, who only sees one trait Russell has in common with the GSU greats of the past. “One thing they’ve all had in common is toughness. Some people get caught up in size and height and weight and all that stuff. Freddy Pesqueira played at 235 pounds. Eric McIntire played at 265 as a nose guard. We’ve had a lot of good players that were undersized.”

            Undersized seems to be what the defensive line at GSU is going to again. Russell’s 287-pound frame moved inside to tackle, where he was joined by 259-pound Roderick Tinsley, another former defensive end. Middle linebacker Dion DuBose, who weighs in at 228 pounds, moved to defensive end`.

            Russell, who is no slow mover in his own right, feels like his duty on the line is to keep the opposition occupied so the line can use its speed as an advantage.

            “I feel like that’s my job. I eat up two blocks,” said Russell. “If I’m not doing that, I’m not doing my job.”

            Defensive line coach John Scott hopes the rest of the line will make it difficult for the opposing defense to find someone to key on.

            “What we’re striving for is to have four guys who do it all the time,” Scott said. “If that happens, who are you going to concentrate and focus on? (Russell) certainly garners attention, and the other guys will continue to work and that’s what we want -- to have four guys that you have to hone in on.”

            All of the changes along the line have the players feeling more comfortable with their defensive responsibilities.

            “All of us feel like we’re at our home position,” Russell said. “When Dion got moved from linebacker to end, well he’s the quickest d-end I’ve ever seen, even at D-I (FBS). Roderick Tinsley is so quick for a tackle, I feel comfortable at the nose guard position, and I feel like it’s all coming together right now.”

            A newcomer to the line, freshman defensive end Josh Gebhardt, has made an early impact on the defense. In fact, considering he’s wearing No. 90, Cabral’s number as an Eagle, it may turn out to get him even more attention.

            “I haven’t brought that up to him yet,” laughed Cabral, “but I’ll keep that in mind. Ol’ Gebhardt, he’ll hold down that number. He’s doing pretty good. There’s some good ones, and he may be better (as a freshman) than I was, and he’s going to be a decent one if he keeps playing hard. That’s good though, I may have to remind him about the number.”

            Matt Yogus can be reached at (912) 489-9408.