Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Ted Roof made the trip to this Gulf Coast city to support two of his pupils on the South team at the Senior Bowl.
Outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu and safety Jemea Thomas are trying to impress NFL scouts with their play and during interviews. The All-Star game is set for 4 p.m. Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
“Coach Roof told me that he was coming down,” Attaochu said. “A little support couldn’t hurt. I was happy about that.”
Attaochu, who was a third-team Associated Press All-American, is working at linebacker and defensive end. He finished the regular season with 12 sacks and has shown edge pass-rushing ability.
He spent most of his career at Tech in the 3-4 alignment, before playing defensive end in the 4-3 for one season under Roof. His versatility makes him an intriguing NFL prospect.
“He did a lot of jobs for us,” Roof said. “He played with his hand on the ground. He played standing up. He did a great job on special teams. He made a lot of plays for us. He has a great motor and pays attention to detail.”
Roof saw Attaochu mature as a senior.
“He’s a guy that was acting like a pro as a senior as far as taking care of his body, film study and all of the things you have to do,” Roof said. “He gets it. I think all of those intangibles, coupled with the ability that he has means that there’s a long career in front of him.”
Jacksonville coach Gus Bradley is fine with letting Attaochu rush as a defensive end in some drills.
“It’s important to showcase a guy’s talent,” Bradley said. “The more that you can do. If we have a chance to help our players and show them playing linebacker and that they can provide some rush, all the more power to them.”
Attaochu is trying to make the most of the opportunity.
“I have to show them that I can do both,” Attaochu said. “I did that this past year. We had a coaching change, and I saw that as an opportunity to learn new things. I added some more things to my tool box.”
Bradley is taking a unique approach to the All-Star game. He’s asking the players to come together as a team during one week of practice.
Attaochu has brought into the coaching ploy.
“It’s not about me, it’s about the team,” Attaochu said. “Wherever they want me to line up, I’m willing to do it. That’s kind of my (way of doing things). I’ve been dropping into coverage, doing all of those good things.”
He’s been free to meet with scouts from NFL teams in the evenings. After Tuesday’s practice, a scout from the St. Louis Rams interviewed him on the field.
“I’m just a humble guy who works really hard,” Attaochu said. “I have great family support and great faith.”
Thomas was a late addition to the South roster after shining at the East-West Shrine game.
“They have been giving us what an NFL week would be like before a game,” Thomas said. “So, basically they are preparing us for the next level and how they do things.”
Thomas played in 54 games for the Yellow Jackets, tied for the most in school history.
“He’s loves the game of football,” Roof said. “He loves to practice, and he’s a heck of a competitor. He’s got great ball skills and good transitions. He is really, really physical. I feel like he’s going to have a very long and productive career as well.”
