Oozing genuine modesty, Georgia defensive lineman David Pollack is uncomfortable being touted as a hero.

The sophomore from Snellville scored the game-winning touchdown in Saturday’s 13-7 victory over South Carolina. But he doesn’t see what the big deal is all about.

“Football is football. Just learn what you’re doing and fly around,” Pollack said.

His teammates, however, have nothing but praise for the young defensive player.

Linebackers Boss Bailey and Tony Gilbert both agree that he’s a great player who fights for the team.

“He is the leader of the defensive line right now,” Bailey said.

“We’re expecting it out of him every week,” added Gilbert, in relation to his outstanding performance on Saturday.

Coming off an impressive first year at Georgia, Pollack seems to keep getting better and better.

Selected to the All-SEC freshmen team by the SEC coaches last year, he also was voted to the Sporting News’ freshmen All-American fourth team.

In Saturday’s game, he recorded a career high 14 tackles and earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

He said he considers Saturday’s game his crowning moment in football thus far, but admits that any game they win is a proud moment.

“You can get all the accolades you want, but it doesn’t mean as much if you don’t win the game,” he said.

Pollack had scholarship offers from Florida, Clemson and North Carolina to name a few. In the end, he chose Georgia because it was closer to home.

“I wanted to be close to my mommy and daddy,” he said with a smile.

He said he admires his parents, who continually inspire him. They attend all of his football games and come to Athens once a week to take him out for dinner.

“They have never missed anything I’ve done, and they have taught me so much,” Pollack said.

A history major for now, he said he wants to be a preacher when he grows up because “I love Jesus,” he said.

As for his future in football, he takes it one day at a time.

“I want to play in the NFL, I guess. Whatever God’s will is. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. I have been blessed and fortunate,” said Pollack.