ATHENS — Georgia has produced an outside linebacker with double-digit sacks in each of Todd Grantham’s three seasons as defensive coordinator.
Justin Houston, the Kansas City Chief ranked by the NFL Network as the No. 49 overall player in the league, rang up 10 in 2010.
Jarvis Jones, a first-round pick by Pittsburgh, topped that when he led the Southeastern Conference in sacks with 13 ½ in 2011 and 14 ½ in 2012.
Now, it’s Jordan Jenkins’ turn.
“Definitely a lot more pressure on my shoulders than there was last year,” the Bulldogs sophomore said. “People are expecting a lot of things out of me this year. I’m trying not to let it get to me.”
Georgia won a recruiting battle with Alabama’s Nick Saban and Kirby Smart for the 6-foot-3, 260-pound Jenkins, a player Grantham identified at Harris County High School as having the skill set to thrive in his system.
“We obviously knew Jarvis was going to leave at some point, at some time,” Grantham said. “I certainly, when I was watching tape, was envisioning that he could do the things we ask that position to do. You always look at it from a positional standpoint.”
Jenkins moved to the weakside outside linebacker position last year against Kentucky when Jones was out with an ankle injury. When Jones returned the next week against Florida, Jenkins stayed at that spot and Jones shifted to the strongside.
He got a taste of what it might be like playing without Jones.
“On a couple of stunts inside I faced a couple of double teams — the Kentucky game,” Jenkins said. “I’m going to be expecting that this year. Just in the back of my mind, I’ve got to expect something like that. Without Jarvis, the game plan, I don’t know what they’re going to do.”
Not Jones yet
Coach Mark Richt said he doesn’t think that teams will definitely scheme a plan around stopping Jenkins like they did with Jones.
“If he starts doing some special things, maybe they will,” Richt said. “I think he’ll probably get some of the same type of opportunities that he got a year ago, but that remains to be seen. If they watch film and say he’s the guy we’ve got to do something different with, he may have to learn to beat some more double teams than he’s ever had to deal with.”
Jenkins was selected by the conference’s coaches as second-team preseason All-SEC pick after leading all freshmen in the league last year with five sacks. He had 31 tackles and started six games.
“He kind of popped up on the scene,” nose guard Mike Thornton said. “He’s quick, strong, fast, agile. He’s everything. He’ll definitely set the tone for this defense off the edge.”
Jenkins was a five-star recruit in high school, who was considered an Alabama lean before picking Georgia.
“He’s got great burst off the ball, he’s very explosive — to me, as explosive as anyone in the country,” Grantham said. “Jordan has all the characteristics you look for in playmakers. I think it’s just a matter of working and developing and perfecting his craft. If he does that, I think I’m excited about what he can do.”
Jenkins has quickly gone from an up-and-comer on a defense loaded with players about to head to the NFL to a player that will be counted on for production on a unit with just three other returning starters.
“He knows that he needs to perform and I think he will,” said Georgia offensive tackle John Theus, who battled with Jenkins in summer camps when they were in high school. “It will be fun to watch him this year and hopefully he’s Jarvis-esque on the field.”
Said Grantham: “Is he going to be that guy? I think that just depends on how he wins his one-on-one matchups in the fall.”
One thing’s for sure. His days of doing what rookies often do are over.
Jenkins roomed with Jones on road trips last year.
That meant “making me get up to answer the door, get the food or tell them he’s here for the roll check. Now I’m glad I don’t have to do that anymore.”
Jenkins told reporters in the spring that he was shooting for at least 10 sacks, but didn’t mention any number when asked this week about his goals.
“Personally, I just want to be able to keep the fans happy, keep myself happy and just have a great year this year,” Jenkins said. “Just have that breakaway year that I want and my family wants.”