Georgia Tech freshman Parker Braun learned a few things in last week's debut against Mercer: he needs to improve his conditioning, and he needs to trust what he knows.
Braun, a freshman and the younger brother of former Tech offensive lineman Trey Braun, saw his first playing time this season in the Yellow Jackets’ 35-10 win over the Bears. Braun came in at right guard as Shamire Devine’s backup. Admittedly blessed with natural talent, Braun said his endurance needs to be better.
“It was a lot,” he said. “Long plays and long drives.”
Braun, a four-star recruit, declined to compare himself to his brother, who made 34 starts, primarily at left guard, at Tech from 2011-15.
"We really don't know yet," Parker Braun said. "He worked really, really hard. Hopefully, I'll be up there next to him."
Parker said he didn’t ask Trey for a lot of advice before the season, other than how camp was going to be. Apparently, Trey didn’t tell Parker how hard it actually was.
Trey also didn’t critique Parker’s performance after the Mercer game. Instead, they went and ate pizza.
But Parker thinks he did OK as part of a line that helped the Jackets rush for 364 yards. Coach Paul Johnson said on Tuesday that Devine would likely start Saturday’s game against Vanderbilt at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
“Even when I knew what I was supposed to do, having confidence in what I was supposed to do would affect how I play,” Braun said. “It’s easier if you know exactly what you are supposed to do and you’re confident in that and sure of that. It’s a little easier to let go and play the best you can.”
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