Jamaree Salyer on the championship season and what's next

It’s been quite a busy month for Jamaree Salyer and his Georgia teammates who are NFL draft prospects.

Salyer and the Bulldogs won the national championship on Jan. 10, took part in a parade and celebration five days later and then began preparing for the next step in their football careers.

Salyer, who started at left tackle for the Bulldogs, is training for the NFL draft in the Pensacola area and will be in Mobile, Ala. next week for the Senior Bowl, the premier college all-star game.

Salyer is one of eight Georgia players taking part in the game.

The practices during the week are probably more important to make an impression on coaches, scouts and front office officials.

Salyer joined us on the Bulldogs Extra podcast on Thursday to talk about this championship season, where he may play on the next level and a lot more.

Here are some excerpts from what he had to say:

On rebounding from SEC championship game loss and routing Michigan in Orange Bowl:

“We just go back to work and gave ourselves a chance to be in good enough of shape. In Mercedes-Benz Stadium, it was hot in there and I think for a lot of guys, they’re playing in the cold, the cold, the cold and you go to the hot and we weren’t really conditioned like we should have been in the first go-round. That was a big part of emphasis for Coach Smart to be the best conditioned team.”

On moving from left tackle to right guard in the national championship win vs. Alabama:

“It was an adjustment to Warren Ericson. He got an injury. I want to say he sprained his ankle on both sides. He kind of tried to go out there and tough it out. It was just something it wasn’t really the right time for that. We kind of wanted to try to win the game. Coach (Matt) Luke came up with his best five and asked me if I was comfortable with it. I said, ‘Sure, coach, I just want to win the game.’ That’s kind of how we got to that point of me playing right guard. There were plenty of thoughts for me going to left guard, me staying at left tackle. There were a lot of different rotations that could have happened. That’s what Coach Luke felt most comfortable with and what we went with.”

On if he celebrated after the national title win like Stetson Bennett with a sip of bourbon and a cigar:

“Man, I was just excited. I was a kid in a candy store. I walked around with the cigar, whatever, but I didn’t really have nothing to do with it. I just kind of enjoyed the moment, enjoyed being there with by brothers. That’s what made it special for me. It was probably the last time to see all of them as a collective group like that. It just made it really special for me. It’s something I’ll never forget, the energy, the sights and the sounds. It’s kind of burned into my head forever.”

You can listen to more of what Salyer had to say in this link.

The other players from Georgia taking part in the Senior Bowl next week: running back James Cook, cornerback Derion Kendrick, defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt, inside linebackers Quay Walker and Channing Tindall, offensive guard Justin Shaffer and punter Jake Camarda.

UGA calendar:

Gymnastics vs. LSU, Friday, 7 p.m, SEC Network

Track & Field at Razorback Invitational, Friday-Saturday

Women’s tennis in ITA Kick-off Weekend in Athens vs. North Florida, Friday, 2 p.m., vs. Iowa or Mississippi State Saturday

Men’s basketball at Vanderbilt, Saturday, 6 p.m, SEC Network

Women’s golf in Lady Bulldogs Invitational in Athens, Saturday-Sunday

Swimming & diving vs. Emory, Saturday, 11 a.m.

Women’s basketball at Ole Miss, Sunday, 3 p.m., ESPN2

Men’s tennis ITA Kick-off weekend in Athens vs. VCU Sunday 2 p.m., vs. South Florida or Virginia Tech, Monday.

Follow me on Twitter @marcweiszer and email me at mweiszer@onlineathens.com

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Jamaree Salyer on the championship season and what's next