After returning from winter break, Georgia Tech safety Jamal Golden went right back to the video room. His study revealed to him what he felt he needs to improve in spring practice – his eyes and his footwork.

Golden wants to better train himself to keep his eyes focused on his keys – a receiver, for instance, rather than the backfield – and to avoid taking unnecessary steps to carry out his assignment.

“You can be the most athletic person, the strongest, the fastest, but if you don’t know what you’re doing or what you’re looking at, none of that matters,” he said. “You get those two things right, and you’ll be a pretty good football player.”

He was hardly average last season. Golden was the sixth leading tackler last season and tied for the team lead in interceptions with four. His three forced fumbles also tied for the team lead. He was named third-team All-ACC by coaches and media.