Through the spring, Georgia Tech players often mentioned the name of freshman B-back Dedrick Mills when giving evaluations of the B-back competition and the offense in general. In the spring game Saturday, the early enrollee from Ware County showed what teammates have been seeing.
Playing for the Gold team, Mills ran with the north-south, tackle-breaking power conducive to the B-back position. The second-team offensive line that Mills ran behind was a mix of walk-ons and inexperienced scholarship players, but Mills nonetheless gained 47 yards on 11 carries, the most rushing attempts by any of the running backs. Notably, he didn’t fumble, a common occurrence for inexperienced B-backs.
Mills started for the Gold team (second-string offense), which also had Quaide Weimerskirch on its roster. Coach Paul Johnson has liked what he has seen, saying he expects him to play as a freshman.
“Right now, he’d be first or second team, probably,” Johnson said.
Mills will have a thick field of competition in preseason camp. Besides starter Marcus Marshall, he’ll compete for snaps with C.J. Leggett, Marcus Allen, KirVonte Benson and Weimerskirch. Mills opened eyes in the spring with his ability and strength, boding well for the season.
“I think Dedrick’s got a chance to be a good player,” Johnson said. “He went the wrong way a couple times, but he’s only been here for three weeks, and I think he’s got a chance to be a good player. I’m excited about Dedrick.”
Weimerskirch and Allen both suffered injuries in the game and did not return. Johnson said both were fine. Leggett did not play, as he has been a non-contact player this spring as he recovers from a torn ACL suffered last spring.
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