Georgia’s Justin Houston and Cornelius Washington are bringing the party back to the once-prominent defensive end position.

They’ve got intentions of celebrating in opponent’s backfields, no RSVP necessary.

Houston was named the SEC defensive lineman of the week after a sack and four tackles against Arizona State. The award is the first time a Georgia defensive end grabbed the honor since 2006.

Washington, a redshirt freshman, is establishing himself as fixture in the rotation, leading the team with two sacks.

“I think with [Houston], Cornelius Washington and some of the other guys coming along they’ve got the quickness and strength off the edge,” said defensive coordinator Willie Martinez. “That’s been very key for us. They need to continue to improve because we need that.”

The two couldn’t be more different – in appearance, personality and style of play.

Houston, a redshirt sophomore, doesn’t mince words, speaking to the point in a deep voice. He’s strong, looks like an arm-wrestling champion in the making and maintains a steady disposition.

Washington is tall, with a lean structure resembling a big-bodied safety in build. His approach is speed-driven. He’s quick off the edge, exuding agility and athleticism.

Houston looks like a Hummer – Washington plays like a Ferrari.

Together they form a young tandem with the goal of getting to quarterbacks for years to come.

* * *

The defensive duo traveled separate paths to reach this point.

Houston served a two-game suspension at the start of the season, returning just when senior Rod Battle went down with a knee injury.

“It was very crucial,” defensive end Demarcus Dobbs said of adding Houston to the rotation.

“With Rod having his injury, it kind of depleted us a little bit, you know, but having Justin coming off suspension gave us a little bit of life.”

In only two games Houston has 11 tackles, seventh best on the team. Other than Dobbs, Houston is the oldest Bulldog defensive end, building off an emergence-type 2008 season.

“I wouldn’t pretty much call it confidence,” Houston said. “I have a job and that’s what I’m trying to do, as far as doing my assignments. That’s my job.”

Houston, standing at 6-foot-3, 259-pounds, stayed motivated despite the suspension. A serious sit-down with defensive ends coach Jon Fabris changed Houston’s perspective, prompting him to use the situation as a tool of progression.

“I left coach [Mark] Richt’s office with my head down and coach Fab gave me one those speeches I needed,” the Statesboro product confessed. “I have so much respect for coach Fab.

“He just asked me about my plans and I told him I was going to take my punishment and move on. He said I had to do more than just move on. I had to strive to be perfect. He told me I’d never be perfect but you can strive to be perfect. That’s what I’m trying to do.”

Watching from the sidelines hurt Houston, as Georgia struggled to generate an effective pass rush.

“The whole while he was out he said, ‘I wish I could be with the boys. I wish I could play,’” said defensive end Marcus Washington.

Houston’s been doing work since his return, and said he’s has yet to reach his potential because of a lack of game-conditioning, a scary thought for remaining teams on the schedule.

“He still has some conditioning to go through and he has the minor injuries that everybody goes through during the year, but I think he’s done pretty well, proving himself,” Dobbs said. “I only see great things coming from him in this game and in the coming games.”

* * *

Washington is using this season to come into view, materializing as a useful body for Fabris to send out.

“He’s coming along great,” Dobbs said. “Nobody knew about him. He’s fresh, raw. I think he’s been holding his own. He’s been getting pressure, and has a couple of sacks. Just a little bit more technique work and he’s going to be a great defensive end.”

Washington is on the stat sheet with three tackles and two sacks, but he’s accomplishing feats that don’t appear in the box score. He applied the pressure on Arizona State’s quarterback, forcing an interception. He pursued a tight end 50 yards to make a tackle versus Arkansas. A close look at what Washington does sheds light on potential. Vast potential.

“He’s always talked about how he ran the 100 meters in 10 something in high school,” Dobbs said. “He’s a heck of an athlete, I think everybody knew that.”

Washington, has put on 25 pounds since arriving in Athens, but hasn’t lost the speed that made him a highly recruited athlete out of Waynesboro.

“Well getting close to the quarterback is always a good thing, but I’m just trying to do what I can,” Washington said. “I’m trying to be a team player. It takes 11 people, not just nine guys or eight guys. It takes 11. Everybody does their part and I’m just trying to do my part.”

* * *

Entering the season the defensive end unit had to hear criticism for lacking talent, experience, and depth.

“Anybody would get aggregated with certain criticisms, but we just took it as motivation,” Washington said. “We’re trying to produce.”

“It seems like we’ve been doing our best to step up to the challenges that everybody has put upon us. We’re just taking what we’ve done and building on it.”

And while Martinez said there is still work to be done, Houston and Washington are the ideal blend of talent and youthful enthusiasm.

“I think it’s very important,” Houston said.

“Doing our assignments and doing our job on the field is important. Blowing an assignment can hurt a defense real bad, real bad. So if you don’t know what to do it can hurt.

“I’m here to help put pressure on the quarterback and help my teammates as well.”