Shaw runs offense after Nesbitt is injured

An injury to starting quarterback Josh Nesbitt opened the door for backup Jaybo Shaw to receive plenty of snaps at Georgia Tech’s practice Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

At Tech’s 12th session of spring practice, which was essentially a scrimmage, Shaw ran the triple option well and led the offense to two touchdowns and a field-goal attempt in four possessions starting at the 30-yard line. He did fumble once.

“Other than [the fumble], I thought he did a good job on the option, getting the ball dealt, pitched,” coach Paul Johnson said.

Nesbitt was injured on the first series of the practice when he fell on his shoulder at the end of a run. Johnson said he was not sure of the injury’s extent, adding that the shoulder might have come out of joint. He was not overly concerned, adding that Nesbitt could miss the last week of spring practice.

Shaw’s best drive was his second, an 18-play, 70-yard possession running the first-team offense against the first-team defense. It included long runs from A-back Anthony Allen, B-back Richard Watson and Shaw, who scored on a keeper.

“Every time I go out there, I’m going to try to shoot to get every [option read], and if I don’t, then you’ve got to make a positive play,” Shaw said. “I think I did OK today.”

Said quarterbacks coach Brian Bohannon, “[The reads] weren’t perfect, but I thought he was executing the offense pretty well.”

Shaw has added about 16 pounds since the end of last season and weighs about 198 pounds, he said. He said he is taking better care of his body. Last season, he said, he was sometimes so tired he wouldn’t want to eat, preferring to just sleep.

“Those hits, they still pop and they still hurt a little bit, but not as bad as they did [last season],” Shaw said.

Some of the highlights

Among the notable plays from the practice:

• A punishing block from wide receiver Demaryius Thomas on linebacker Brad Jefferson.

• A 54-yard touchdown run by quarterback Tevin Washington.

• A solid tackle by linebacker Anthony Barnes to stop a reverse by wide receiver Kevin Cone.

• A sack of Washington by defensive end Albert Rocker.

• A downfield block by A-back Marcus Wright to free up Allen for a 15-yard run.

Said Johnson of Wright, “Marcus is a little fireplug. I tell you, he’s pushing to get out there and be a starter. He’s had a good spring, I think.”

Walk-on Lyons plays well

Walk-on B-back Preston Lyons, a graduate of Marist who transferred from Colgate, received a lot of snaps as B-back Lucas Cox was out with a thigh injury. He had several carries, including one that went about 11 yards.

Said Bohannon, who also coaches the B-backs, “He’s done some good things running the ball this spring. He has a knack for finding creases.”

Another walk-on, Cone, played with the first team as starter Tyler Melton was out with a hip pointer.

Etc.

The players ended practice with a “breakdown” chant of “1, 2, 3 … national championship!” Said defensive end Anthony Egbuniwe, “That’s what we need to do this year, is win the national championship.” … Tech hosted about 200 junior recruits and their families at the practice. … Tech will conclude spring practice next Saturday with the annual T-Day Game at noon Bobby Dodd Stadium. The game is free and open to the public.