Shane Bowen missed spring practice after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery, but when the junior linebacker returned to action in the first day of practice Wednesday, he hit the ground running. He had no choice.

New coach Paul Johnson and his staff had the Yellow Jackets hopping.

"This is a different tempo of practice. I learned that real quick," Bowen said. "Everything is quick, just go-go-go, no breaks. Keep your helmet on on the sideline because you might be coming in on the next play."

Other players noted the change of pace as well, including offensive lineman Nick Claytor. He said if he hadn't lost 40 pounds since arriving at Tech, he would have been in trouble Wednesday.

"Just based off how hot it was today, I think the whole team is in better shape than I've seen," he said. Bowen and sophomore Anthony Barnes split time starting at the strongside linebacker position last year.

They took turns with the No. 1 unit Wednesday, although Bowen said linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary has told him to learn the weakside as well.

Generally, the No. 1 weakside linebacker [played last year by senior Gary Guyton] in practice was redshirt freshman Kyle Jackson, and sophomore Brad Jefferson was the middle linebacker [played last year by Philip Wheeler].

"I was a little hesitant at first, but I was good to go," Bowen said. "I was nervous a little bit coming into camp. I think I picked it up pretty quick."