1. Saturday's scrimmage will be open to the public. It begins at 9:15 a.m. at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Peters Parking Deck will be open and free to fans. Be mindful that other activities, namely the Pi Mile race, will also be taking place Saturday morning.
From the Tech sports information office: Fans can enter the stadium through Gates 4 or 7. Please do not enter via the stadium tunnel. There is no charge for admission.
2. The team may be a bit depleted. A number of players missed practice Wednesday, including offensive linemen Trey Braun, Shaquille Mason and Chris Griffin, defensive linemen Patrick Gamble and Adam Gotsis and wide receivers Darren Waller, DeAndre Smelter, Ricky Jeune and others.
Some were expected to return for Friday’s practice or the Saturday scrimmage, but it will still be an incomplete picture nonetheless.
3. One or more defensive linemen may move over to the offensive line, coach Paul Johnson said Wednesday.
“There’s a horde of them,” he said.
There are 13 defensive linemen total, 11 of them scholarship players (not including Jabari Hunt-Days, who could reasonably be included). A number are injured this spring, but looking ahead, two or three may join in the summer, signees Antonio Simmons, Tyler Merriweather and Kenderius Whitehead. (Simmons could play linebacker)
There are 14 offensive linemen on the roster, nine on scholarship. Six of the 2014 signing class are offensive linemen.
In the category of “probably won’t happen again,” you may remember that Sean Bedford was a walk-on scout-team defensive linemen whom Johnson asked to switch to the offensive line, where he became a two-time All-ACC performer.
4. Speaking of Hunt-Days, who is working at rush end this spring, line coach Mike Pelton: "He's a natural at some of the pass rush stuff. You see it here and there with our offense. … He's doing a good job. He's learning on the fly. He's got a long way to go but he's headed that way."\
5. Defensive coordinator Ted Roof on whether he is hopeful or uncertain about the defensive line's potential for the season.
“I would say I’m both. I’m hopeful and uncertain. I’m hopefully uncertain.”
About the Author
