Georgia Tech defensive line coach Mike Pelton has had a most welcome post-practice guest lately — defensive tackle Francis Kallon.
“He wants to meet after every practice,” Pelton said Wednesday, following the Yellow Jackets’ sixth spring-practice session. “He wants to watch film. It’s like the light has gone off, and he’s got a burning desire to just get it.”
It was high praise from Pelton, who has not always been so keen to field questions about a player who has drawn notice because of his unusual background and potential, but has yet to contribute much on the field. Kallon enrolled at Central Gwinnett High as a junior in the fall of 2010 after moving from England. The following spring, he became a recruiting sensation after taking part in spring practice — his first time playing football — and wowing college coaches with his size and athletic ability. After committing to Tech, he offered the hope of developing into an unlikely star.
However, playing behind veterans and struggling to master the game, Kallon has played 16 games, with seven tackles, in two seasons. In Saturday’s scrimmage, he caught the notice of coach Paul Johnson, who said he thought it was the best that he had played at Tech.
“He played with his hands, separated from blocks, made a bunch of plays,” Johnson said. “He had about 12 tackles.”
Pelton sees more attention to detail and a deepening well of experience. Kallon believes he has passed a critical stage in his development.
“Last season, it was still kind of learning everything and trying to get it down,” he said. “But I feel like this year, just do it. It’s about time.”
Kallon said he began meeting with Pelton in the offseason.
“I want to be the best I can be, and in order to do that, you need to be critiqued,” Kallon said. “Constructive criticism is definitely a building block for me.”
One ideal scenario for Tech that includes Kallon would be for him to improve to the point that he could be in a tackle rotation with Adam Gotsis and Jabari Hunt-Days (pending Hunt-Days re-gaining his academic eligibility), which could allow Patrick Gamble to move to defensive end.
“It gives you all kinds of options,” Pelton said. “But at the same time, you just want to keep getting him better and then, when the fall comes along, if that’s an option, that’s an option. But you know how it is — practice is one thing and getting out on Saturdays and performing in front of people is a whole different story. But I have been encouraged.”
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