Georgia Tech senior running back Rashaun Grant is done. He practiced earlier this week hoping that soft tissue damaged above an ankle in the Oct. 20 Army game would heal enough for him to play Dec. 31 in the Humanitarian Bowl.

Two seniors who knew they wouldn't play against Fresno State had better news.

Defensive lineman Adamm Oliver, who tore an anterior cruciate knee ligament Nov. 24 against Georgia, and guard Nate McManus, who tore the labrum in his left shoulder Oct. 6 at Maryland, say their recoveries are ahead of schedule.

Both believe they will be able to participate partially in the NFL scouting combine in February, if invited.

"I just saw my doctor [James Andrews of Birmingham] Monday, and they told me my shoulder is doing great," McManus said. "They put me in the top one percent in recovery. I should be able to do something. The vertical, broad jump, whatever they need. The bench press is just not going to be ready."

McManus, who's 24 hours shy of graduation, will go with the team to Boise, Idaho. Oliver, who graduated last Saturday, will stay home in New Port Richey, Fla., continuing rehab. His knee was repaired Dec. 6 by Tech orthopedist John Xerogeanes.

"I want to go, but I haven't been home in, like, six months," Oliver said. "The good thing is I didn't tear anything else, no [cartilage]. The doctors are really excited. I already have muscle control. Right now, I can't say what I'm going to be able to do [in February]."

Quarterbacks deny transfer rumors

Speaking of speculation, one needn't go far on the Internet to find the suggestion that quarterback Taylor Bennett will transfer because he doesn't see himself fitting Johnson's offense.

Meanwhile, freshman reserve quarterback Josh Nesbitt — on paper a nice fit in the run-oriented attack — is said to be considering transferring because Tech is difficult academically.

Both said phooey Thursday.

"That's crazy," Bennett said with a smile. "I have to graduate. I want a piece of paper from this place. The education, the degree, is too valuable."

Nesbitt said, "[Fall semester] was hard, but they give us all the study halls, and I finished up strong. I'm happy about that. No, I'm not going nowhere."

Donley may be

in for big change

Freshman wide receiver D.J. Donley did not confirm or deny that he is considering transferring, but said Thursday he might have a decision to make.

He's been told by at least one coach that he might be switched to defense next season and that it could be his best chance to start.

The idea of playing safety — where senior starters Djay Jones and Jamal Lewis and backup Joe Gaston will be gone, and freshman Morgan Burnett appears likely to remain a cornerback — is not enough to scare him away.

"It's something I always thought about," he said. "If I did move, I would rather play safety [than cornerback]. That's what I played in high school. I will probably wait until spring to see what happens."

Part of the decision to stay or go will depend on who ends up coaching where. "I'm just on hold right now," Donley said.