As Georgia Tech’s fall camp winds down, the decision of who the Yellow Jackets’ kick and punt returners will be looms.
This week, coach Paul Johnson said it was “too early to get an idea on who will be returning punts,” although he is already considering a “myriad” of players.
The players working for the returner position currently include A-backs Lynn Griffin, Omahri Jarrett, Nate Cottrell and B-back Dedrick Mills.
Although capable, Johnson was unsure if Mills will be used as a returner in his freshman season.
Johnson said in the coming weeks, the coaching staff will pick one player for kicks and one for punts.
When picking the starter for the Yellow Jackets’ season opener against Boston College on Sept. 3, Johnson is looking for a player that doesn’t hesitate, is willing to be hit and it “doesn’t hurt if you can run fast.”
Along with improving punting which the Yellow Jackets finished last season at 13th in the ACC, Johnson wants to improve returns and punt coverage in 2016.
Georgia Tech finished 12th in the ACC last season in returns with an average of 9.5 yards on each punt return and a long of 44 yards.
“We didn’t do a good job with (returning),” Johnson said. “We had one long one for a touchdown and the rest were not very good. We’d like to get back where we can block some kicks.”
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