Georgia Tech guard Shamire Devine has an ambitious summer plan — to lose more than 30 pounds.
Devine has battled weight problems since arriving at Tech, which has limited his conditioning level and playing time. His goal is to arrive at preseason camp at 335 pounds on his 6-foot-7 frame. On Monday, he said he was at 369.
“Hard work, dedication and no partying,” Devine said of his plan.
Devine’s definition of partying includes watching movies in his room and “eating fancy.” Asked what “eating fancy” meant, Devine replied, “I’m not inclined to say, because (offensive line) coach (Mike) Sewak will read this.”
Devine should be able to get more conditioning in before spring practice ends. Devine returned to practice Wednesday, the first time he had taken part in contact drills since the first week of spring practice, when he suffered a concussion in practice. Devine said he sustained the injury hitting a chute — a metal frame that linemen run under to train them to stay low.
In that time since the injury, not being able to practice, he gained seven pounds and his conditioning suffered. He said at 369, “I can feel the difference. My back hurts and my knees hurt.”
A fit Devine would be a significant upgrade for the Tech offensive line, where coaches are trying to find a starter at guard to replace All-American Shaquille Mason. Playing occasionally last season, Devine’s power as a blocker was obvious.
Jeune separates from pack: Tech's search for a starting wide receiver may have settled on sophomore Ricky Jeune. Following practice Wednesday, coach Paul Johnson said that, at this point in spring practice, Jeune and Micheal Summers would be "clear-cut" starters.
Summers was expected to take one of the two spots vacated by Darren Waller and DeAndre Smelter. He is the most experienced wide receiver and has started 17 career games. Jeune has been in competition with Antonio Messick, another rising sophomore, for the other spot. Both Jeune and Messick played special-teams roles last season.
Johnson has mentioned Jeune a few times following practice for having made plays. Wednesday, Johnson said he is making progress and doing well. At 6-foot-3 and 214 pounds, he fits the big wide receiver mold shared by predecessors such as Demaryius Thomas, Stephen Hill, Waller and Smelter.
“He’s got the ability,” Johnson said. “He’s going to have to be a player for us.”
Jeune has caught the attention of players on the defensive side, as well.
“I like the way Ricky Jeune’s pushing himself,” nickel back Lynn Griffin said. “He has some sticky fingers.”
Freshman B-back injured: Early-enrollee B-back Quaide Weimerskirch underwent surgery Wednesday after suffering a foot injury in Saturday's practice. Johnson said that "we'll see about the fall" regarding his potential availability. "It depends on how he does (in his rehabilitation)."
From his Twitter account, Weimerskirch sent out a message Wednesday reading, “I’m bionic” with a smiley-face avatar. Tech moved Marcus Allen to B-back to add depth to the position. Allen came to Tech as a B-back, but later switched to linebacker and then wide receiver. The Jackets also have two signees arriving in the fall at the position, Mikell Lands-Davis and Marcus Marshall. On Monday, Johnson also made mention of the possibility of a transfer.
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