Paul Johnson has high expectations for young Jackets

MACON — As much success as Georgia Tech had in football last season, just as much is expected from this season’s team, coach Paul Johnson told reporters gathered in Macon for the annual “Pigskin Preview” media event at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

But, Johnson also reminds that there are only six scholarship seniors on this team, and only two, offensive lineman Cord Howard and linebacker Sedric Griffin, are expected to start.

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Johnny Crawford/jcrawford@ajc.com

Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson says his team is miles ahead of where it was last season at this time.

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“We’re still a young team,” Johnson said.

So Johnson said he’s looking for some leaders to step up. He rattled off defensive end Derrick Morgan, quarterback Josh Nesbitt, B-back Jonathan Dwyer, A-back Roddy Jones, safety Morgan Burnett and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas in particular, before saying someone on the offensive line needs to take charge.

While the team might not be as experienced as he would like, Johnson said the players are miles ahead of where they were last year, Johnson’s first on The Flats.

“It’s a night-and-day difference, the speed at which we play, the execution level, I think the intensity,” Johnson said. “They know what we are looking for. It’s an easier flow, and an easier way to get things done because they’ve done it for a year.”

Injury updates

Johnson said that the three linemen who were injured and missed some or all of spring practice are working out this summer and are on schedule to be ready to play by August.

Cord Howard (wrist) missed some of the spring with a wrist injury, and center Dan Voss (torn labrum) and tackle Nick Claytor (bulging disc) missed all of practices.