Georgia Tech QB Nesbitt close to ‘100 percent’

Georgia Tech quarterback Josh Nesbitt went through a full practice Wednesday and is close to 100 percent, coach Paul Johnson said.

“He took every rep, full speed,” Johnson said. “There wasn’t anything to hold back on.”

Nesbitt reported no pain in his ankle, which he sprained Saturday against Florida State.

“It was way better than yesterday,” he said.

Cornerback Jahi Word-Daniels (hamstring) will miss his third straight game.

Austin Barrick signed with Georgia Tech as a tight end with a flair for route running. He caught 12 touchdown passes his senior year at Moody (Ala.) High.

Saturday at North Carolina, he’ll start at right tackle.

Coaches moved Barrick over the summer — there’s no tight end in this offense. And as Johnson noted Wednesday, “there are not too many 270-pound A-backs.”

A redshirt sophomore, Barrick said it’s been a major adjustment in responsibilities and mindset.

“The hardest part was getting used to the position altogether and changing my mentality,” said Barrick, who has bulked up from 255 pounds.

“All I did was catch the ball in high school. It’s just the mentality of being as physical as I can be every play, to get on my blocks and just work as a unit with the whole O-line.”

Nick Claytor and Barrick split right tackle duties in Saturday’s 31-28 win over Florida State, filling in for the injured David Brown. Claytor will start at left tackle this Saturday for Andrew Gardner, who is undergoing surgery Thursday for a torn labrum.

“It’s really exciting,” he said. “They have an NFL-caliber defensive line and some really talented players, so it’s a real honor to be able to start. I’m just working hard, we all are, for this big challenge.”

Gardner has mentored Barrick and the other less experienced linemen.

“Whenever I have a problem, or anyone on the whole O-line has a problem, we’ll go to Andrew and say, ‘What do I need to do here? Is there a better technique? What would you do?’ He’s always there to help us out.”

Barrick is one of the smaller tackles in the ACC, but thinks he can overcome that with athletic ability. Gardner said the entire team gained confidence in Barrick and Claytor based on their performances against FSU.

Having played tackle for a few months, Barrick said he doesn’t miss catching passes.

“I love it down there with my teammates and I don’t mind sticking my nose in there for all the other talented skill players that we have,” he said.

Award updates

Defensive tackle Vance Walker has been named one of 15 semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which goes to the nation’s top defensive player.

Walker has started every game and has 33 tackles, 8.5 for loss, three sacks, a forced fumble and a safety.

Also Wednesday, coach Paul Johnson was named one of 15 semifinalists for the George Munger Award as coach of the year. Tech was picked fourth in the Coastal Division, but the Jackets (7-2, 4-2) lead the division by a half-game over Virginia and Miami.

Both awards are given out by the Maxwell Football Club.