HOOVER, Ala. — One of the SEC’s most well-spoken players, Georgia linebacker Jordan Jenkins didn’t mince words last week at media days when asked about the Bulldogs’ expectations this season.

Entering his final campaign in Athens as one of the leaders of the preseason East favorites, Jenkins senses a different vibe around the locker room and better attention to detail as the Bulldogs gear up to face one of college football’s toughest schedules.

“Every year, people always say ‘this is the time, this is the time’, but it feels like this is (really) the time,” Jenkins said. “The way we approach our workouts, the way we approach the meetings (and everything) even when the coaches aren’t there, we’re still requiring everybody to go their hardest and go 100 percent of the time. (Guys are) being attentive and recognizing that in order to win, we have to start now.”

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Nick Chubb and the Georgia running game gets most of the shine but it’s a star-heavy defense that could carry this team into the College Football Playoff as an outside threat. The Bulldogs ranked sixth in the SEC in total defense last season at 337.2 yards per game and fifth in scoring defense during Pruitt’s first campaign, numbers that are expected to improve with a better knowledge of his pressure-heavy system.

Most importantly, Georgia’s plus-16 turnover margin was a league-best and ranked fourth nationally. Much of that bulk defensively returns and the Bulldogs have since added several key newcomers — true freshmen and transfers — expecting to provide additional depth to the Eastern Division’s most athletic unit.

One of those players is four-star summer arrival Roquan Smith, a linebacker looking to crack the fall two-deep at the inside spot.

“We’re going through junior drills and I was looking at him (and thought) ‘he’s a freshman, I’ll probably beat him through the bags,'” Jenkins said. “I got about halfway through the speed bags and he was already finished. I mean, that just goes to show the level of athleticism the younger guys have on this team.

“They’re not just going to sit there and settle for being redshirted. They’re going to try their hardest for fighting for playing time and make an impact on this defense.”

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Jenkins spoke highly of pass rusher Lorenzo Carter who will assume a hybrid role in Jeremy Pruitt’s 3-4 look. Carter followed an excellent second-half of his freshman season with a stellar spring, packing on 20 pounds of muscle to become more of an every-down threat.

Mark Richt said Carter’s main focus as a sophomore has been getting stronger against the run and shedding blocks from oncoming fullbacks in gaps.

Development is key for a player who has the look of a future first-round pick.

“He’s finally realizing that he’s a key asset to the defense and that he needs to continue that play style 24/7 if he wants to get to where he wants to go in the future,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins skipped a shot at the NFL alongside teammates Amarlo Herrera and Ramik Wilson for a final shot at Atlanta and to improve on his game as an individual. He’s a two-year starter and vocal leader in Georgia’s three-headed outside linebacker group, arguably the best threesome in the country at the position.

“I wanted to fine tune my footwork and use my hands in an effective manner versus wasting movements when rushing the passer,” Jenkins said. “I wanted to really make sure everything I do was more under control instead of like a bull in a china shop and just be more refined in what I do.”

With Jenkins in front, Georgia’s defense could be scary good this fall.