Coach Paul Johnson said some of Georgia Tech’s freshmen will play in the season opener Thursday night against Alcorn State.
Johnson said that as a whole, he sees talent in this year’s freshman class.
“There will be several guys who will play a lot out of that class (this year),” Johnson said. “We were pleased with that group overall.”
According to D.J. White, one of the Yellow Jackets’ freshmen who impressed him is defensive back A.J. Gray.
“(Gray’s still) learning, but he’s made a lot of plays,” White said.
White, also a defensive back, said watching freshmen such as Gray perform in practice makes him “hopeful for the future” of the team.
On offense, wide receiver Brad Stewart has captured the attention of White as well as senior defensive lineman Adam Gotsis.
“(Stewart’s) kind of catching everything that’s thrown at him,” Gotsis said. “He’s pretty in-depth with his playbook and knows what’s going on. That’s the thing when someone’s switched on like that. He seems like a guy who really wants to work and play this year. He’s made a big impact.”
Gotsis said his attitude proved he was ready to play for the Jackets as a freshman in 2012.
“I just came in and had an attitude where it didn’t matter if I redshirted and if I played, I was just going to give all I had every day,” Gotsis said. “That’s the mentality you’ve just got to come in with these days. You can’t come in expecting to redshirt. You come in, play hard and the rest takes care of itself.”
Regardless of which freshmen play Thursday, Johnson said he recognizes that when anyone plays his first game, he will make mistakes.
“I fully expect that we’re not going to be perfect on Thursday night, although that’s the goal,” Johnson said. “We’re going to play some freshmen, and they’re going to make some mistakes. You just hope they don’t make enough of them to really cost you and that they learn from it.”
White said during his first collegiate game against Middle Tennessee State in 2012, the speed intensified compared with high school games and practices. He said that through encouragement and support of his teammates and his constant focus, he was able to keep up in the fast-paced games.
“I had a lot of support around me,” White said. “But I was a focused guy. I came in and knew what I wanted, and I worked hard for it.”
Johnson said maturity is the determining factor in whether freshmen are prepared to play.
“(Mature players are) the ones that kind of separate themselves,” Johnson said. “Unless you’re a really special athlete, there’s a real difference between a kid who’s 22 and one that’s 18 — just from a maturity and a physical standpoint. It’s been my experience, most of the kids who come in and play as true freshmen really are good players, and a lot of them have a chance to play at the next level.”
About the Author
