Georgia Tech’s spring game Friday night will offer fans a number of clues to what lies ahead for the 2012 season, beginning with the season opener at Virginia Tech on Labor Day.
One spot that may draw increased attention will be the middle of the defense, which will be absent inside linebackers Daniel Drummond and Julian Burnett. The former was suspended 1 1/2 games Thursday by Tech coach Paul Johnson for an alcohol-related offense and won’t participate Friday. The latter has seen his career come to a likely end because of a neck injury suffered in the Sun Bowl.
As is the case in the spring, departures and injuries open doors for others, and these gaps figure to be filled by up-and-comers Quayshawn Nealy and Jabari Hunt-Days. Nealy was a star of last year’s spring game, on his way to a role as a part-time starter and oft-used substitute last season. Hunt-Days, who redshirted last season, has been one of the more impressive young players this spring for the Yellow Jackets.
“I think he’s worked hard,” Tech coach Paul Johnson said of Hunt-Days, the younger brother of quarterback Synjyn Days. “He’s doing some good things.”
Here are five reasons to go:
To watch Vad Lee
The redshirt freshman quarterback will get heavy playing time. He and fellow backup Days have received the majority of snaps in scrimmages and practice this spring as they’ve dueled for the No. 2 spot behind Tevin Washington. Days may not play because of a wrist injury suffered in practice Wednesday. (Injuries are going around. The offensive line is down to 10 players.)
In scrimmages, Lee has shown touch and accuracy passing and the capability to break running plays. Lee has more improvement to make running option plays, and coaches want him to take better care of the ball, both on center-quarterback exchanges and securing it on carries.
Still, scrimmage performances have confirmed the optimism that coaches have had for Lee.
Running shotgun
Speaking of Lee, the offense has spent considerable time honing plays run out of the shotgun, or pistol, formation. It has been a rarely seen element of Johnson’s spread-option scheme. In Saturday’s scrimmage, Days was difficult to stop running a read-option play. Lee, who used the shotgun in high school, has looked comfortable operating from that formation, as well.
“It just gives us a different dimension on offense, just a different way of doing what we do,” Washington said.
The wrinkle and its possibilities have excited players as they have seen its potential in scrimmages. “I love the shotgun stuff,” A-back B.J. Bostic said. “It’s going to hit a lot of people for some big yards when the season comes.”
Big noses
Nose tackle T.J. Barnes, the biggest man on the Tech roster, loomed as a question mark when spring practice began March 26, as did Shawn Green, his backup. Could both of them play with the consistency and stamina necessary for the linchpin position of defensive coordinator Al Groh’s 3-4 defense?
The ultimate answer will be provided in the grind starting in September, but the work of Barnes and Green in the spring has allayed concerns. Green has improved his conditioning, making him a stronger candidate to contribute meaningful snaps. Barnes has improved at shedding blocks and playing a more physical style.
“He’s still got things that he’s got to continue to improve, but T.J.’s come out every day trying to get better,” defensive line coach Andy McCollum said.
Newcomers
Friday will be an opportunity to review the players who have made notable impressions over the first 14 practices of the spring. A year ago, they might have been backups or redshirts. They may or may not make an impact this fall, but they’re worth a look.
Among them: offensive tackle Morgan Bailey, A-back Robert Godhigh, Hunt-Days, wide receiver Jeremy Moore and defensive ends Euclid Cummings and Anthony Williams.
Bailey is making a bid for a starting job. Godhigh has taken advantage of A-back Orwin Smith’s absence (to recover from toe surgery) to make a case for playing time. Hunt-Days, a prized recruit for Groh, has an impressive size-speed combination. Moore, who played three games last season, has pushed first-teamers Jeff Greene and Chris Jackson. Cummings and Williams have been playmakers in scrimmages.
Watts on the edge
Outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu, perhaps the most talented player on the team, has a counterpart with speed to match. Brandon Watts replaces Steven Sylvester as the other outside linebacker, and the two could make a ferocious pair.
“When you combine him with Jerry, that gives us the two outside linebackers who, combined, can certainly run the best of any two that we’ve had,” Groh said.
After playing in sub packages last season, Watts will be expected to be a three-down player this fall alongside Attaochu, who has built on his impressive first season as a starter.
