Georgia has enjoyed a nice run of success in the past decade, with 3 SEC Championship Games, and of course the national championship. Along the way, there have been plenty of key players who made a difference.

Whether the head coach was Mark Richt or Kirby Smart, Georgia had no shortage of talent, and plenty of fan favorites from all over the field. When their names were introduced over the Sanford Stadium public address system, there was a full-throated cheer from the red and black faithful.

The program had so much talent, a list like this missed the likes of Mecole Hardman, Ramik Wilson, Ben Cleveland, D’Andre Swift and Isaiah Wynn.

Here are the 10 most important players from the past 10 seasons (2012-21):

Jarvis Jones

When Georgia welcomed Missouri into the SEC in 2012, Jones had a sack party, and single-handedly blew up the Missouri backfield in Columbia. He had that kind of game often that season, and that’s why he was named the Associated Press SEC Defensive Player of the Year. When that award was announced, Jones Jones had 77 tackles, including 22.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks, 1 interception, 7 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries in 11 games. He remains the NCAA leader in forced fumbles per game and tackles for loss per game. Jones’ 22.5 tackles for loss that season ranks second in school history behind David Pollack’s 23.5 in 2002.

Aaron Murray

One of the elite quarterbacks in Georgia’s storied history, Murray finished as the SEC leader in passing yards (13,166), touchdown passes (121), total offense (13,562 yards) and completions (921). He is also the first quarterback in conference history to pass for 3,000 yards in 4 consecutive seasons. A snapshot of what he gave the program came in his final game in the 2013 season against Kentucky when he played 2 series with a torn ACL, and still went 18-for-23 passing for 183 yards and 4 touchdowns in that game. Murray also made an impact in the Athens community during his career with his contributions to the charity Extra Special People.

Andrew Thomas

A stalwart on the offensive line, and a key player on Georgia teams that won 11 or more games 3 straight seasons, won 3 straight SEC East titles, and played in 3 straight New Year’s 6 bowl game. An All-SEC selection by the coaches and Associated Press, Thomas won of the SEC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy, UGA’s first recipient of the award in 21 years. He was also named one of 4 permanent team captains, and the co-winner of Vince Dooley Offensive MVP for the team.

Todd Gurley

Gurley was one of the best running backs in the country from 2012-14 and made All-SEC honors in 2012 and 2013. He rushed for 3,285 yards and 36 touchdowns in 30 games. Gurley became the second freshman in school history to rush for 1,000 yards and was named a Freshman All-American.

Rodrigo Blankenship

Among players who didn’t play running back, Blankenship is arguably the biggest fan favorite at Georgia of all time. The legend writes itself from the scholarship reveal around the Notre Dame game to the huge kick in the Rose Bowl against Oklahoma. He made a career-high 4 field goals 4 times, including at Kentucky in 2016; vs. Missouri in 2017; vs. Missouri, 2019; vs. Texas A&M, 2019. “Hot Rod” is most known for being one of the most consistent and clutch, kickers in Georgia history.

Nick Chubb

An offensive workhorse, Chubb finished his outstanding career with 4,769 rushing yards, which trailed only Herschel Walker in UGA and SEC lists of all-time career leaders. That production also ranks 39th among all rushers in college football history. A steady between-the-tackles runner with deceptive speed in the open field, Chubb recorded his 24th career game with 100 yards or more rushing with 145, including 2 touchdowns, against Oklahoma. He also had 3 seasons of at least 1,000 yards.

Roquan Smith

A tackling machine on some of Georgia’s best teams of the past decade, Smith won the Butkus Award as the nation’s best linebacker for the 2017 season. He started all 15 games and led the team in tackles with 137, QB sacks (6.5), tackles for loss (14) and QB pressures (20). The AP All-America was also named one of 4 permanent team captains, as well as the team’s Defensive MVP. Simply put, he was the heart and soul of the Georgia defense for much of his career.

Stetson Bennett IV

With the silver screen-inspired background story, coupled with being the national championship-winning quarterback, Bennett is in a special place already in Georgia history. He couldn’t have scripted the finish to the national championship game better if he wrote the story himself. Bennett was named the Offensive MVP of the College Football Playoff Championship Game after he directed 2 fourth-quarter TD drives vs. Alabama …his final 2 passes of the game went for touchdowns of 40 and 15 yards.

Deandre Baker

He won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s best defensive back, and his stats sagged at the end of his career simply because opponents quit testing him in the passing game. Baker was a consensus All-American and started 27 games his last 2 seasons.

Richard LeCounte

The first recruiting commitment of the Kirby Smart era, LeCounte quickly became a stalwart on the back line as he appeared in 44 games in his sensational career. His commitment helped set the tone of the Smart era, and solidify a key position.