The Georgia Bulldogs were one of the best teams in college football in 2012, falling just short of beating Alabama in the SEC championship game.
The defense was one of the top units in the nation, but will suffer a bit in 2013, as outside linebacker Jarvis Jones has decided to enter the 2013 NFL Draft. Jones is a two-time All-American and leaves one season of eligibility on the table.
''This has been a difficult decision, and one that I have talked over with my family and coaches," Jones said in a university statement, according to ESPN.com. ''I think this decision comes at the right time for me and my family and I look forward to seeing what the next level holds for me. Go Dogs!''
The 6-foot-3, 241-pound Georgia native was a dominant defender throughout the season and led the team in sacks with 14.5 and tackles for a loss with 24.5, both school records. Over two seasons with the Bulldogs, Jones has amassed 28 sacks and 44 tackles for a loss in 26 games.
He originally transferred from Southern California to Georgia after suffering a career-threatening neck injury midway through his freshman season. USC and its team doctors would not clear Jones to return, leaving Jones to transfer schools or give up football. Georgia took a chance on him and the medical staff said he could play again.
Jones redshirted one season for the Bulldogs in 2010 before having an excellent season in 2011, leading the SEC in sacks with 13.5 and tackles for loss, recording 19.5 while making 70 tackles. He was also named first-team all-SEC.
"I will always appreciate the chance Georgia gave me after the injury at Southern Cal," Jones said. "There is nothing like the Bulldog fans and I will forever be proud to wear the 'G.' "
Jones was a finalist for the Bednarik, Lombardi, Nagurski, Butkus and Lott awards this season and is rated as the No. 1 prospect in the draft by ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. CBS Sports has Jones rated as the no. 3 overall prospect, behind Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel and Florida State defensive end Bjoern Werner.
Kiper wrote about Jones: "Explosive, disciplined, relentless edge rusher who profiles as a 3-4 OLB and doesn't need to come off the field. A quick first step, violent hands, tackles well and closes fast. Solid against the run and can really cover."
Throughout his two seasons with Georgia, Jones has shown his athleticism and speed and an ability to stop quarterbacks and running backs behind the line of scrimmage. Jones can play in any type of defensive formation and has been a dominant player while operating in a 3-4 scheme.
"I've been around some pretty good 'backers -- DeMarcus Ware, (Anthony) Spencer -- and he's definitely up there with those guys," said Georgia defensive coordinator and former NFL coordinator Todd Grantham. "He brings a little different flavor to what he does. He can set the edge in the run game. He's got the ability to rush the passer. He's got some instincts. He can get his hands on balls. He had a pick against Missouri and he actually batted a ball (against Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl) in coverage."
Jones can have the impact of a Von Miller, who has proven to be a game-changing linebacker for the Denver Broncos since being drafted out of Texas A&M. In his final game with Georgia in the Capital One bowl win over Nebraska, Jones had eight tackles and 2.0 sacks and one pass defended.
In the SEC championship game against Alabama, Jones made his presence felt, notching six tackles and 2.0 sacks in the 32-28 loss to the Crimson Tide. Jones had 3.0 sacks in Georgia's most important regular-season game of the year against Florida and also added a season-high 13 tackles, including 12 solo. He posted double digit tackles twice this season and had multiple sacks in six different games.
Georgia opened the season with five straight wins before falling 35-7 at South Carolina. The team rebounded to win the next six games before losing to Alabama in the SEC championship. The Bulldogs won a close 17-9 fight at home against Florida and dominated Auburn 38-0 two weeks later.
The Bulldogs were ranked 18th in scoring defense this season, in large part due to the dominance of Jones and his fellow linebackers. The defense allowed 10 points or less five times this season and only gave up 30-plus points three times during the regular-season.
Georgia's defense will suffer without Jones and has numerous holes to fill with junior linebacker Alec Ogletree also announcing that he will enter the NFL draft. The team will also lose three seniors in Bacarri Rambo, safety Shawn Williams and nose tackle John Jenkins.