Among changes that have been made to Georgia Tech’s new “Above the Line” chart for its game Saturday against The Citadel are two that underscore the depth challenges that the Yellow Jackets will face.
Left guard Mikey Minihan, who started the first two games but left the South Florida game with an apparent leg injury, is not among the 10 offensive linemen deemed able to contribute against the Bulldogs. (Center Kenny Cooper, who also left the South Florida game with injury, is on the list.)
Also, senior Jahaziel Lee has been removed from the defensive tackle list, although he’s still on the offensive line list. Lee had been listed at both position groups for the first two games. It’s an indication that Lee, whom coaches had prepared in the spring and preseason to play both on the offensive line and at defensive tackle to provide depth at both spots, will be needed on the offensive line to the extent that he likely won’t be available to play defense. It is a repercussion of Minihan’s absence.
Against South Florida, offensive tackle Jack DeFoor moved to left guard to fill in for Minihan, while walk-on William Lay subbed for Cooper at center. With DeFoor unable to play tackle, Lee played most of the game at left tackle.
An injury on the offensive line Saturday would further compromise a group that was light on depth to start.
Among other changes, coaches elevated defensive tackle Ja’Quon Griffin into the “ATL” group. He did not play in the South Florida game, but can now add depth with Lee not available.
There were three other changes to the offensive line group – Connor Hansen is on the list for the first time this season, Chet Lagod is back on the list after being off last week and Scott Morgan is off.
At nickel/dime, freshman Kenan Johnson, who played a significant number of snaps against South Florida, is off the list.
Tech also announced that running back Nathan Cottrell will wear No. 90 in honor of late team member Brandon Adams. The team is rotating the honor on a game-by-game basis.
The game captains for Saturday’s game also were announced: wide receiver Omahri Jarrett, running back Jerry Howard, safety Christian Campbell and Lee.
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