Georgia senior outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter has not experienced the same success with the Bulldogs as he enjoyed at Norcross High School near Atlanta.
Which explains his primary reason for still being a college football player.
"I want to win something," Carter said earlier this month in a news conference. "I finished high school with four rings, but it's been a while since Athens had something to celebrate. That's it. I wanted to come back to give people a reason to be happy."
Journeys to the Belk, TaxSlayer and Liberty bowls were not what the 6-foot-6, 250-pounder had in mind when he signed with the Bulldogs in 2014 as a Parade and USA Today All-American. Georgia wasn't that far removed from its 12-2 run in 2012, which included a heartbreaking 32-28 loss to Alabama in the Southeastern Conference title contest that essentially served as a national semifinal.
Alabama went on to demolish Notre Dame 42-14 in that season's BCS title game.
"It's been difficult, because every year you come in expecting to play for a national championship," Carter said. "You put in the work during the summer, and when you don't get what you expected, it's kind of tough."
Carter's career has been erratic, with the physically gifted talent having totaled just 9.5 career sacks - and 4.5 were in his freshman season. He has played in all 39 games since arriving yet has made just 16 starts.
Part of that total can be attributed to Carter backing up Leonard Floyd as a freshman, but inconsistencies against the run have factored in as well.
"With Lorenzo, it's always a work in progress," Bulldogs second-year coach Kirby Smart said. "He has great energy, and the guy gives great effort. We have an extra-effort board, and he is almost always on top of that.
"The thing we encourage Lorenzo to do is play more physical against dominant run teams, and I think he's taken ownership in that area."
Smart cites Carter's weight as an example, adding that it's important not to "overwork" him before next week's opener against Appalachian State so his weight doesn't slip back down to 240. Carter spent some time this past offseason learning from former University of Tennessee and Atlanta Falcons defensive menace Chuck Smith.
Smith, who is from Athens, tallied 58.5 sacks with the Falcons from 1992 to 1999.
"Pass-rushing is God-given, but you've got to refine it," Carter said. "You have to go out there and put in the work, and he has really opened my eyes as far as what it takes to get to the next level."
Carter experienced the transitioning from head coach Mark Richt and defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt to Smart and Mel Tucker midway through his college career, but there has been no such adjustment this time around. That has both Carter and Smart excited entering a season in which the Bulldogs look to end a three-year losing streak to Florida, a two-year skid against Tennessee and a four-year absence from the SEC title game.
"Last year was a transition point where everybody was waiting to see what happens next, but right now we're done waiting," Carter said. "We're where we need to be. We're working hard and pushing each other."
Said Smart: "He can improve his pass rush. He can improve his knowledge of the defense, but the best thing Lorenzo has improved is his relationship with other players and being a leader."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.