2008 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Preview

Georgia Tech’s fan base is newly energized, which is not normal for a team that will be replacing the majority of its starters on both sides of the ball, plus an All-America punter and a solid kicker. But the Yellow Jackets’ faithful have reasons, or at least a reason.

Two Minute Drill

A Quick Look at the Yellow Jackets

Everybody seems to think that Georgia Tech is going to run the ball 50 times per game, and throw about 10, kind of like Navy did when Paul Johnson coached the Midshipmen instead of the Yellow Jackets. Not so fast. Johnson’s goal is to win, not necessarily lead the nation in rushing as Navy did in each of the past three seasons. The Middies ran so much because the offense Johnson crafted enabled him to compete with more talented opponents largely through its unique “flexbone spread.” Sure, if sophomore quarterback Josh Nesbitt is the runner he appeared to be in limited opportunities last season, and sophomore running back Jonathan Dwyer is all that, it’s a good bet the Jackets will run plenty. One way or another, a team replacing so many starters and whose defense appears largely suspect may have to score plenty of points to win some games. Good thing the schedule includes Jacksonville State and Gardner-Webb, because games at Boston College, Virginia Tech, Clemson and Georgia plus the return of Florida State sure don’t make 2008 look like a walk-through. “If you can get me a championship by running 54 times a game, sign me up,” Johnson says. “Or if you can get me a championship by passing 54 times, sign me up for that.”

Name’s Paul Johnson.

He’s Tech’s new coach, and he’s got some things going for him, chiefly that he’s not Chan Gailey. The Jackets’ former coach won at least seven games in each of his six seasons, and always went to a bowl game. But it was always a lousy bowl, and Tech had poor habits under Gailey — now the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive coordinator — of springing an upset every year only to lose a game or two they had no business losing, and always losing to Georgia.

Johnson’s presence is no guarantee to change those results. But Tech’s methods are going to change with an offense that may run the ball even more, and in far from conventional fashion in Johnson’s “flexbone spread.”

At Navy, Johnson’s teams routinely ran circles around opponents to lead the nation in rushing in each of the past three seasons. Plus, he won more at Navy (45–29, including 43–19 the past five seasons) than anyone has a right to in this day and age.

After a 7–6 season that was a huge disappointment for a team with a ton of talent back from the squad that lost to Wake Forest in the 2006 ACC Championship Game, any change figured to be welcome in Atlanta.

Quarterbacks

The early favorite is Josh Nesbitt, a sophomore-to-be who showed plenty of running ability while gaining 339 yards on 53 carries as a freshman. That’s one key to running Johnson’s offense. Navy threw only 10 times per game last season, so other keys include holding onto the ball — an issue for Nesbitt last season — and decision-making, which requires less reading of coverage and more reading of blocks. “Josh has kind of not been out there as much (in the spring, when a groin pull slowed him), but I’ve seen progress mentally,” Johnson says. “It’s nice to see him translate it. I think (Nesbitt) throws it better than people think.” Senior Calvin Booker played sparingly in ’07. He may be more polished as a passer, but he’s not the run threat and had an uneven spring running the offense. Nesbitt, Booker and second-year walk-on Bryce Dykes will be joined in the fall by freshmen Tevin Washington, Jaybo Shaw, and perhaps safety/quarterback Cooper Taylor, who played in high school offenses akin to Tech’s.

Running backs

Sophomore Jonathan Dwyer broke out the sizzle at times last season (82 carries, 436 yards, nine TDs) while backing up Tashard Choice, and at 6'0", 228 pounds with good speed, he seems most likely to be the “A back” behind the quarterback. He can run around, through and past people. Coaches are working to keep him from taking plays off. Junior Jamaal Evans quit the team in the offseason. But redshirt freshman Roddy Jones looks fit for one of the “B back”, or slot back spots. Also, former wide receiver Greg Smith worked the B spot in the spring, and incoming freshmen Embry Peeples and Marcus Wright have the build of B backs, as well as speed to spare.

Receivers

Rarely have opponents looked at Johnson’s receivers and been stricken with fear given his predilection toward the run game. At first glance, there would be little reason to have a different impression now. Tech’s leading receiver from ’07, Smith, moved to B-back in the spring and broke his collarbone. He had 37 receptions last season, when Tech was a terrible passing team. Tight end Colin Peek took his 25 receptions and transferred to Alabama, and senior wideout James Johnson, who was riddled with injuries as a junior but caught 25 passes anyway, opted to leave the team. Still, the new coaching staff will have some talent to work with at the position. Sophomore Demaryius Thomas (35 catches, 558 yards, four touchdowns) may have the skills to be a cut above. Correy Earls flashed at times as a freshman. Maybe Smith will move back to wideout, particularly if Peeples and/or Wright show signs in the summer that they might be able to help at A back. Tight ends? Tech don’t need no stinking tight ends any more.

Offensive linemen

Tech had continuity on the line the past few seasons. That’s mostly gone. Senior left tackle Andrew Gardner, first-team All-ACC last season, is back, but he’s the only returning full-time starter. Junior Dan Voss, who has some experience, should man one guard spot. The other guard spot, center and right tackle are up for grabs. Offseason surgery kept Cord Howard — who has played tackle and guard — out in the spring, and an elbow injury slowed right tackle A.J. Smith.Trey Dunmon, the projected starter at center, left the team after the spring, claiming the new offense didn’t fit his skill set. Senior David Brown, a former defender, may factor at tackle. Perhaps someone from the group of redshirt freshmen Clyde Yandell, Joseph Gilbert or Nick Claytor will emerge.

Defensive linemen

This is an area of strength. Tackle Vance Walker was first-team All-ACC last season, and fellow tackle Darryl Richard is stout and wise. Senior end Michael Johnson, used chiefly as a pass-rusher in the past off the bench, is a physical freak (6'7"). He and sophomore end Derrick Morgan, a top recruit, look forward to playing wider in new defensive coordinator Dave Wommack’s scheme than under former coordinator Jon Tenuta. They have to replace departed seniors Darrell Robertson and Adamm Oliver, who’ll be in NFL camps. “We’re going to have more chances to work in space, especially in the rush game,” says Morgan, who played in every game as a true freshman. “Hopefully, that will help us make more plays.” There is depth inside and out.

Linebackers

Only one starter returns, and junior Shane Bowen (who missed spring practice after shoulder surgery) split time with sophomore Anthony Barnes outside last season. Replacing Philip Wheeler and Gary Guyton, who will be on NFL rosters next season, won’t be a breeze. The uber-athletic Barnes may fill one spot, and sophomore Brad Jefferson and redshirt freshman Kyle Jackson had spring moments. It’s hard to say who might be edged out when Bowen returns. This group has serious work to do to live up the standards of Tech’s previous linebacking corps.

Defensive backs

An area with more questions than answers, and not much experience. The only starter back is senior corner Jahi Word-Daniels, but sophomore safety Morgan Burnett is the most talented player in the back row. Word-Daniels has demonstrated a knack for being in the right place, but not making enough plays on the ball even when in position. Jerrard Tarrant and Mario Butler figure to battle for the other corner spot. Burnett was fifth on the team in tackles as a freshman despite starting only one game. He also played some corner. Redshirt freshman Willie White or sophomore Dominique Reese seem most likely to land at safety. There is not much experience in the secondary, but there’s plenty of enthusiasm about playing more man-to-man. “I like it a lot,” Burnett says. “We’ll man up, and if you’re not on somebody, you’ll have a chance to (rush the passer) or just kind of drop back, play centerfield and have chances to make plays on the ball.”

Specialists

Sophomore Scott Blair is a good bet to kick or punt, as he may have been most consistent at both in the spring. Blair was very good kicking off last season, but replacing departed kicker Travis Bell, who made 23-of-28 field goals as a senior and ranks high in many school kicking categories, will not be easy. And punter Durant Brooks (45.1-yard average) was an All-American. Mohamed Yahiaoui, who redshirted last season in part because Blair took his kickoff job, and Chandler Anderson are in the mix at both spots, too. Kevin Crosby will also compete at punter.

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