Quarterback Luallen shines in Tech practice

By Jeff Haws

For the AJC

Two days after one of his best performances in a Georgia Tech uniform, quarterback Jordan Luallen was back on the practice field Monday.

His unofficial numbers from Saturday's scrimmage show him going 4-of-5 passing for 86 yards and a touchdown. Coach Paul Johnson talked about liking what he saw out of the redshirt freshman, who is in a battle with Tevin Washington and David Sims for the No. 2 quarterback spot this spring.

It was only a scrimmage, but Luallen's play Saturday couldn't have hurt his cause. And he showed up Monday ready to push a little closer to the job he covets.

"It helped me out a lot. It gave me a little confidence," said Luallen. "I've still got a lot to work on. You take it for what it's worth. It's a scrimmage. It's good to do something and gain some confidence but ultimately, I've got a lot more to work on."

In that way, he's no different from the other two quarterbacks working in the absence of starter Josh Nesbitt, who is sitting out the spring with an ankle injury.

All three had their moments during Monday's practice, primarily in passing drills. Notably, Washington hit Quentin Sims on a deep throw in the end zone and Sims later made a perfect deep pass to Daniel McKayhan.

They're all in a tough competition for the spot behind Nesbitt, but the three were casually throwing together for several minutes after practice. Luallen said they all want the job, but that hasn't affected their relationship on or off the field.

"Me and David and Tevin, we're really good friends," Luallen said. "Obviously, this is a competition between the three of us, but no matter what, all three of us are going to be proud for whoever gets what. Ultimately, we're all friends at the end of the day. Football, that's what we're here for, but we're not going to hate each other over losing a job."

Ant marching

Anthony Allen -- his teammates call him "Ant" -- was also coming off what Johnson called his best day of the spring.

He posted more than 100 total yards during Saturday's scrimmage, as his transition from A-back to B-back continues to progress.

He said playing well in a scrimmage can give a player a chance to carry that momentum into the next week, but the biggest change from Saturday to Monday is not being able to close out a run.

"The only difference [in a scrimmage] is they blow the whistle a little later," Allen said. "When we're out here going against the defense, you're always trying to score the ball when you're a ball carrier. You're always trying to finish the play and get in the end zone."

Allen said the players may have been hanging their heads a bit coming out of the weekend and it showed on the field.

"I think a lot of guys felt sorry for themselves out there today," Allen said. "That's more our fault than it is anything. The leaders of the team, we've got to get everybody and make sure our juice levels are high."