After the 2011 season, the Southeast Bulloch Yellow Jackets lost a big part of their team on both sides of ball. Whether he was clearing a path for the offense as an All-Region 3-AA tight end or clogging up the path on the defensive line, Jamal Johnson spent his time at SEB often looking like a man among boys. Now that he's a Georgia Southern Eagle and practicing just 12 miles from his old team, things have changed quite a bit. "A lot of these guys are my size or bigger, so it's a lot different than playing back at home," said Johnson, a 6-foot-3, 235-pound defensive end. When you're not the biggest and strongest guy on the field, you've got to find another way to gain leverage. "You can't just bull-rush people at this level," Johnson said. "It's more about hands and quickness. I've been learning day and night, practicing on dummies and getting used to it." Eagles head coach Jeff Monken sees plenty of potential for the freshman, who has time to develop behind veteran defensive ends like Dion DuBose, Josh Gebhardt and Terico Agnew. "He's a little raw," Monken said about Johnson. "A lot of kids out of high school are. And that's good, it gives us plenty to work with and plenty to mold. I'm anxious to see him this weekend when we get him out again (Saturday for a 10:30 a.m. scrimmage) in Paulson Stadium when there's no coaches telling him what to do, and see how he does lining up and getting after it." One of the biggest shocks for Johnson was how much dedication it takes to play college football. "I didn't expect camp to be every day," said Johnson. "Sunday to Sunday, every day, it's practice, practice, practice." There's a light at the end of the tunnel. The Eagles will practice today and Friday at 2:45 p.m., then head to Paulson Stadium at 9 a.m. Saturday for, "Meet the Eagles," where fans will get the chance to pick up posters and schedule cards and get autographs from the players. immediately following will be the final scrimmage of fall camp. Matt Yogus may be reached at (912) 489-9408.