ATHENS, Ga. - Georgia linebacker Leonard Floyd wasted no time making a difference this season.
On Louisiana-Monroe's second play from scrimmage, Floyd stuffed tailback DeVontae McNeal for a 1-yard loss. The 6-foot-4, 231-pound junior combined with Quincy Mauger for a sack of Garrett Smith late in the first half, and he wound up with eight tackles as the Bulldogs rolled to a 51-14 victory.
"It felt great to be out there, especially coming off of two shoulder injuries," Floyd said. "After I made that first tackle, I felt like, 'Oh, yeah, I can still play.' I only played inside linebacker today, but I think that will vary with the teams we play."
Mauger also tallied eight tackles, with the two sharing the team high.
Floyd had not provided any interviews all year but was among the top stories of preseason camp. An outside linebacker last season, he practiced last month on the outside and inside and also saw some time at defensive end and as the "star" in nickel packages.
"I embraced it," Floyd said. "I just try to play each role to the best of my ability, and they're all my favorite as long as I'm making plays. I felt like playing inside linebacker today was easier.
"I felt like they couldn't outrun me."
Georgia's run defense, at times a concern last season, held the Warhawks to 45 yards on 26 carries.
The Bulldogs held Louisville to 62 rushing yards in December's 37-14 Belk Bowl triumph. Floyd sat out that game after undergoing shoulder surgery earlier that month, and he missed the 15 spring practices as well.
"It was a long process going through the injury," he said. "I had a lot of rehab, but I fought through it."
Floyd played in 12 of 14 games last season, racking up 55 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. He was listed last autumn among ESPN analyst Mel Kiper's top 20 prospects for the 2015 NFL draft but elected after the regular season to return.
Saturday, Floyd repeatedly showed why he is a coveted talent.
"The guy had two surgeries," coach Mark Richt said, "and to come back off of that and play like he did and compete like he did all during camp was impressive. I'm super happy for Leonard Floyd."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.