HOOVER, Ala. — Jacob Eason wasn’t part of Georgia’s contingent at SEC Media Days, but he certainly was part of the conversation.

Nick Chubb, Sony Michel and Roquan Smith each were asked about the rising sophomore quarterback, who in many ways holds the key to the Bulldogs’ SEC East title hopes.

All three praised Eason’s work ethic and said they’ve seen tangible growth in his leadership skills.

All that spring talk about Jake Fromm possibly supplanting Eason? It seemed silly then and the Dawgs left no doubt Tuesday about who drives the offense.

“He got his freshman season under his belt. He got a great opportunity to learn from that season. He also became a great leader,” Michel said of Eason. “During the offseason training in 7-on-7s, he is leading by example and is even being more vocal. He also has other quarterbacks like Jake Fromm pushing him and competing.

“It is great to see young guys come in and knowing their place and knowing how to work.”

Most surprising, perhaps, was the public confidence Kirby Smart displayed in Eason. That wasn’t always the case last season.

“I’m really excited about Jacob Eason’s growth, to watch him over the spring, the confidence he played in the system with, his ability to throw the ball and understand where pressure’s coming from. He’s grown tremendously,” Smart said. “I think Coach (Jim) Chaney has done a great job with him in this offseason making him realize his weaknesses and continue to work on those.”

Eason came in with unrealistic/unfair expectations in 2016. The hype so out of control that Georgia drew 93,000 for its spring game. The results were mixed, but Eason still set several freshman school records and his 16-8 touchdown/interception ratio was more than acceptable.

There is one number, however, that has to improve in 2017.

Quarterbacks (and coaches) are judged by wins, and Georgia should have won more than 7 regular season games last season.

“I certainly think that’s what they define coaches by and quarterbacks by. Let be honest. They’re always going to define you,” Smart said. “They put that record next to your name. No matter how long you end up coaching, it will follow you.

“Quarterbacks have that same battle. I think touchdowns to interceptions are the same way. At times it can be misleading, but for some people that’s the greatest indicator of success. I’m a big believer in completion percentage. I think Jacob understands, and we’ve communicated throughout the spring, if he wants to change the win-loss record, we have to change the completion percentage and we have to allow him to make some easier throws, and he’s got to be more accurate doing so.”

Eason completed 55.1 percent of his 370 passes last season. Fellow freshman Jalen Hurts completed 62.8 percent of his 382 throws.

Smart set the bar Tuesday at a 10 percent increase, saying if Eason can do that, “it’s a game-changer.”