Georgia’s run defense was fairly solid in 2015 as a middle of the pack unit in the SEC. It didn’t allow a 100-yard rusher until the fifth game of the season. But when it did, all three games were losses to Alabama, Tennessee and Florida.

The Bulldogs’ key players contributed, but there were few standout performances from the likes of Leonard Floyd and Jordan Jenkins who each were outside of the top 20 in the SEC in sacks and tackles for a loss.

Linebacker Jake Ganus ate up 102 tackles (ninth in the league) as a consistent force. Those three players still carried the bulk of the defensive load as the next generation of linebackers, Lorenzo Carter, Davin Bellamy and Roquan Smith, have largely not lived up to the recruiting hype they generated as high school recruits.

Now, with a new defensive-minded head coach, new defensive coordinator and new philosophy, the Bulldogs will try to become the East’s best run defense for the first time since 2011.

2015 stats

Rushing yards allowed per game (SEC rank): 149.46 (8)

Most yards allowed in 2015: 258, Florida

Rushing TDs allowed (SEC rank): 11 (tied for 3rd fewest)

100-yard rushers allowed: 3

Front seven

It’s been several years since Georgia’s defensive line has had a star player, or even one known to take over a game. Last season, Georgia didn’t have a player make the Associated Press first or second team on the defensive line, which amounted to 10 players.

The likes of Sterling Bailey, Chris Mayes, Trenton Thompson (below) and James DeLoach all played in 12 or 13 games, but the best description for them was solid. Not flashy, but solid.

Oct 3, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry (2) runs the ball while defended by Georgia Bulldogs defensive tackle Trenton Thompson (78) during the first quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Mel Tucker enters as the new defensive coordinator and Georgia is expected to use a 3-4 scheme but mix in some 4-3 looks. Before Tucker was the secondary coach at Alabama, he was a defensive coordinator for three NFL teams.

Coach Kirby Smart said when he coached at Alabama, the defense used a four-man front 60 percent to 70 percent of the time. He told BulldawgIllustrated.com he didn’t want to get caught up in percentages but said there will be a mix.

He said the biggest difference between last year’s Dawgs and this year’s group will be aggression. He wants the defense playing with more of it. He’s been stressing physicality on both sides of the ball since he arrived, a hallmark at Alabama.

Maximizing Carter’s immense potential could be the key. He’s viewed as a first-round pick in next April’s draft, but doesn’t necessarily have the college tape to support that. But Carter (below) has the size, speed and athleticism to become a game-changing edge rusher.

Apr 16, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Lorenzo Carter (7) rushes the passer during the first half of the spring game at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

He and Roquan Smith will be counted on to live up to their expectations when they signed with Georgia. Carter was briefly demoted last season after then-defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt thought he didn’t practice well. Carter also didn’t record a sack last season after 4.5 sacks as a freshman in 2014.

Thompson is another big-time recruit who will be looked to as a sophomore, while Jonathan Ledbetter should contribute, though he has been suspended for the opener against North Carolina. Early enrollee Julian Rochester played in the G-Day game following felony weapons charges in the winter.

There’s no shortage of depth and talent, and most of the key players have played at least a season, so there should at least be a promising start for this group.

Who is secondary enforcer?

Safety Dominick Sanders was a main reason Georgia had the best passing defense in the SEC last season. But he was also ejected for targeting in the Missouri game. That caused him to miss the first half of the Florida game, which was the only game he hasn’t started in 26 games at Georgia.

Oct 17, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs safety Dominick Sanders (24) breaks up a pass intended for Missouri Tigers wide receiver Emanuel Hall (84) during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Missouri 9-6. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

He shared the SEC lead with six interceptions in 2015, including one returned for a touchdown, en route to earning first-team All-SEC honors. With a host of question marks in front of him amongst the talented front seven, Sanders is one of the few players on the Georgia defense who has already proven himself.

Greatest concern

Development of the front seven, where the defensive line rotation lost four seniors and the linebackers saw three starters depart. There’s little concern in the secondary given its experience and ability.

The linebackers have plenty of depth; eight have played at least one season or are upperclassmen. Reggie Carter started two years ago, then suffered a shoulder injury. Bellamy has spent three seasons behind recent NFL draftee Leonard Floyd and Jordan Jenkins.

And Carter was given a hustle award during spring practice. Somewhat overlooked is the duo of Natrez Patrick, who started the bowl game, and Tim Kimbrough, a big hitter and former special teams star.

One stat that must improve in 2016

Opponents fared the best against Georgia last year running the ball in the second quarter. In every other quarter, opponents accounted for less than 500 yards, and a total of six rushing touchdowns. Yet the second quarter saw them collect 640 yards and five TDs. They also allowed 21 runs of at least 10 years, one shy of their combined total on first and third downs.

That speaks to adjustments and a depth issue, and is highlighted even more when you consider the worst quarters for the Georgia run defense were the second and fourth (466 yards) last season.

While the team’s three losses saw it yield a 100-yard rusher in each game, many of those yards and points came in the second quarter. Alabama, Tennessee and Florida outscored Georgia a combined 59-20 in the second quarter.

Oct 3, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry (2) runs the ball past Georgia Bulldogs safety Dominick Sanders (24) for a touchdown during the second quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Better/worse in 2016

Georgia’s run defense was ranked eighth in the league last season, and has been in the middle of the pack for several seasons. Georgia was ranked third overall in the SEC in 2011, but since then was ranked 12th in 2012, sixth in 2013 and eighth the past two seasons.

So there is room for improvement and talent poised to come into its own. The addition of Smart and Tucker will bring fire to the sideline. Several signs point to better in 2016.

The key question, however, is will several of these formerly highly rated recruits step into roles left by former teammates turned NFL draft picks? And that’s something we won’t know until the whistle blows this fall.