Outside linebacker Jarvis Jones piled up 28 sacks and 44 tackles for loss and countless big plays for Georgia the past two seasons. We’ll find out this season whether that was a product of Jones’ extraordinary individual skill set or the diabolical design of defensive coordinator Todd Grantham.
Jones, who led the SEC in sacks both his seasons at Georgia, was a first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in April. Justin Houston, Jones’ predecessor, recorded 10 sacks in 2010 and was a third-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Enter Jordan Jenkins. The 6-foot-3, 246-pound sophomore takes over as the Bulldogs’ designated pass rusher. He burst on the scene midway through last season and finished with five sacks and eight tackles for loss while starting on the opposite side of Jones the final six games.
Grantham claims Jenkins is “as explosive as anyone in the country” when it comes to quickness off the ball and “all the characteristics you look for in playmakers.”
“I feel a little bit of pressure at times,” Jenkins said about producing sacks at the rate of his predecessors. “But I’m just trying to play and do what’s needed for the defense. I’m really excited about seeing what the season holds.”
So are Bulldogs fans.
