Big Nick Claytor might not be missing meals, but he's skipping extra trips to the chow line when he's there, and he's not quite so big anymore. The Georgia Tech offensive lineman is not alone in lightening up, either.

Symptomatic of the times at Tech, the tackle is about 40 pounds lighter than when he committed to the Yellow Jackets well over a year ago.

When Tech fans first began hearing of the Gainesville offensive lineman as the Jackets recruited him in 2006, his presence was large. He went about 6-feet-6, 319 pounds.

Wednesday, he said he weighs 279.

And he was thankful after practice for coach Paul Johnson's mandate, enforced by co-line coaches Mike Sewak and Todd Spencer, for linemen to go lean.

"It would have been a bad thing for the last system," said Claytor, who worked chiefly at No. 2 left tackle behind Andrew Gardner. "Right now, it's good. I'm moving a lot quicker, a lot faster. Just based off how hot it was today, I think the whole team is in better shape than I've seen."

Tech's offensive linemen need to be more agile for Johnson, Spencer and Sewak.

"In the old system, I would maybe be within a 5- or 10-yard radius, like a box," Claytor said. "Now, it's sprinting, catching DBs and linebackers ... 319 wouldn't cut it."

Shaw looks good

Players wore helmets, but little padding, Wednesday and will go the same way this afternoon. There were some pretty plays, though.

Freshman quarterback Jaybo Shaw completed a couple of deep passes down the right sideline, first to wide receiver Paul Reese and later to wideout Zach Fisher, when coverage broke down in passing drills.

Sophomore Correy Earls, penciled in as a starter, dropped a well-thrown comeback pass by Josh Nesbitt in the same drills.

Tarrant at practice

Redshirt freshman cornerback Jarrard Tarrant, who was charged four weeks ago with rape, remains off the team, but was seen across the practice field Wednesday.

Sophomore Mario Butler, who appeared to finish No. 2 to Tarrant at their corner position in the spring, worked with the No. 1 defense.

He said cornerbacks coach Charles Kelly, the special-teams coach last season, is allowing defensive backs to mix it up more than former defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta. "Coach Kelly does a great job of letting us choose whichever technique we want to use," Butler said.

Trying to find a center

With the graduation of Kevin Tuminello and the transfer of Trey Dunmon, the Jackets are searching for a center. Dan Voss, a junior, leads. Senior Andrew Folkner worked there some Wednesday with the second unit, and Johnson said senior A.J. Smith might work there as well.

Freshman Nick McRae of Dublin was a highly recruited center out of Dublin, and he might be a factor eventually.

"Last year I was mainly left guard, but there's a drastic difference from what I can tell in both positions," Voss said. "It comes down to mainly firing out. In pass [protection], you're a lot more forward, and more aggressive. As opposed to setting back and letting them push you back a yard or two, we're trying to push the pocket up a yard or two."

Lineman commits

Tech picked up its 11th player commitment Wednesday, when Newnan offensive lineman Raymond Beno pledged to the Jackets. Today, North Clayton defensive end Emanuel Dieke, who commited in February, and Rod Sweeting of Luella High in Henry County are expected to attend practice. Sweeting, who has not committed, is ranked the No. 20 cornerback in the nation by Scout.com.

Depth-chart chatter

Johnson said Tech will post a depth chart Friday. In the meantime, the No. 1 offensive line Wednesday was Andrew Gardner at left tackle, first Jason Hill and later A.J. Smith at left guard, Voss at center, first redshirt freshman Joseph Gilbert and later Cord Howard at right guard, and David Brown at right tackle.

Backup tackles were redshirt freshmen Claytor on the left and Clyde Yandell on the right.

He said it

"If you look at the depth chart right now, take on offense our skill [-position] players, there's a chance that we may not start a guy that's more than a sophomore." — Tech coach Paul Johnson.

That would be sophomores Josh Nesbitt at quarterback, Jonathan Dwyer at B-back, Demaryius Thomas and Earls at receiver, and redshirt freshman Roddy Jones at an A-back spot. Some other A-backs are senior Andrew Smith, junior Greg Smith and freshmen Marcus Wright and Embry Peeples.

Sights on Georgia Southern

Like the idea of Tech one day playing Georgia Southern, where Johnson won two Division I-AA national titles? So does Johnson. He said he called Eagles coach Chris Hatcher a few months ago about just such a plan.

"We offered them a game this year when Army dropped us [from the schedule, a gap eventually filled by Gardner-Webb], and they already had Georgia [on the schedule] and I understand they didn't want to play," said Johnson, who was met by a few members from the Statesboro and Savannah-area media. "The schedules are so far in advance, but if you can get an opportunity, I think it'd be great."

Extra points

The Marietta Georgia Tech Club is hosting their annual preseason football preview barbecue this Sunday at 5 p.m. Wes Durham, the radio voice of the Yellow Jackets, will speak. Buzz the mascot will be in attendance, and there will be a silent auction. The event is being held at the historic Oakton home at 581 Kennesaw Ave. in Marietta. To RSVP or get additional information, contact David Bottoms at dbottoms@thebottomsgroup.com.