Georgia Tech’s new indoor practice facility received its first return on investment Thursday. With lightning striking around Midtown, coach Paul Johnson shepherded the team inside for about half of the second session of fall practice.
“It was great,” said Johnson, who asked athletic director Dan Radakovich for an indoor facility after his first season. “We just kind of walked 30 yards and you’re inside. It’s a great facility.”
In the past, Tech has had to wait out lightning storms or tried to practice at the Falcons’ facility in Flowery Branch or at the Georgia Dome. The Mary R. and John F. Brock III Football Practice Facility, as it is officially known, has solved that problem.
The full house Thursday evidently made the building a bit humid and warm, but better humidity than lightning. The building’s name, even abbreviated, may need some work, though.
“Coach Johnson referred to it as the ‘John and Mary Brock Football Practice Facility’ the other day,” A-back Roddy Jones said. “I think that’s too long. We’ll just call it ‘the indoor’ for now.”
Working the returns
The Yellow Jackets spent some of Thursday’s practice working on kickoff and kickoff return. Returners included Tony Zenon, B.J. Bostic, Orwin Smith, Embry Peeples and Jones. Smith took most of the kickoffs last year, followed by Peeples. Johnson has made improving the return game a priority this season after the Jackets ranked 97th in the country in both kickoff and punt return yardage last season. Peeples said coaches have added a twist to kickoff return already, teaching a scheme similar to one adopted from an NFL team.
Freshmen pushing
The three freshman wide receivers, Corey Dennis, Jeff Greene and Darren Waller, have been rotated in with the first and second string. After a subpar performance from the position last season and not much experience behind returning starters Tyler Melton and Stephen Hill, Johnson has said that any of the three could play this season.
“When you put the pads on, you’ll know more about it, but we’re encouraged by what we see,” Johnson said.
Melton appreciates the additional bodies to divide up reps.
“It helps us old guys out a lot,” said Melton, 22.
Turning heads
Among players Johnson noted for their practice work were outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu, inside linebacker Julian Burnett, A-backs Smith and Jones and all of the B-backs. Preston Lyons and Charles Perkins are the first two B-backs on the depth chart, with David Sims and Richard Watson behind them.
“David Sims looks a lot quicker,” Johnson said.
Etc.
Freshman linebacker Tremayne McNair was held out of Thursday’s practice with an ankle injury. Johnson expected him back in a day or two. ... After two days in jerseys, shorts and helmets, the team can begin wearing shoulder pads, per NCAA rules regarding acclimatization. Tech will have one practice Friday and another Saturday morning, followed by fan day Saturday at 4 p.m.
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