Scrimmage closes Georgia Tech camp
Georgia Tech’s scrimmage Saturday morning will conclude the camp phase of the Yellow Jackets’ preseason. The first 17 practices have met coach Paul Johnson’s approval.
“We’ve still got to finish (Saturday), but I think we’ve had a productive camp,” he said. “I think it’s been good.”
Following the scrimmage, there will be tweaks to the depth chart, but the Jackets’ lineup for the season opener against Elon on Aug. 31 largely has been set.
Freshmen making a bid to play this season and avoid a redshirt have made the bulk of their cases. Two players likely to see the field — kicker Harrison Butker and linebacker Paul Davis.
Johnson has a better feel for the wide receiver position, which was one of the bigger question marks when camp began Aug. 1. DeAndre Smelter, joining the team after three years with the Tech baseball team, has infused the position with athletic ability and playmaking acumen.
“I’m not sure there’s (not) two or three guys that are better than the rest,” Johnson said. “When we start playing, we’ll find out, I think.”
The defense, under the direction of new defensive coordinator Ted Roof, has responded to his aggressive and intense style.
“You’d hope they’d play like he did, but I’d say at times (they do),” Johnson said, referring to Roof, a Tech Hall of Fame linebacker. “And at times not. So it’s a work in progress.”
The scrimmage will be closed to fans and media.
About the Author
Ken Sugiura is a sports columnist at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Formerly the Georgia Tech beat reporter, Sugiura started at the AJC in 1998 and has covered a variety of beats, mostly within sports.
