Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson shed some light on the depth chart in his post-practice media session Monday.
Johnson said that the first-string offensive line includes Will Bryan and Andrew Marshall at offensive tackle (left and right, respectively). Behind them competing for spots in the rotation are redshirt freshman Zach Quinney, transfer Jack DeFoor and new scholarship recipient Bailey Ivemeyer.
“He’s in the mix,” Johnson said of Quinney. “He’s got a chance. The next two weeks will determine who plays out there.”
Parker Braun is established at left guard. For the duration of center Kenny Cooper’s absence as he recovers from a foot injury, Jahaziel Lee is the first-string center. Brad Morgan is likely the right guard. Johnson said that Morgan, a junior who is coming back from a back injury suffered last season, is “doing OK.”
The combination of Bryan, Braun, Lee, Morgan and Marshall boasts a combined 62 starts. Johnson has brought up the possibility of moving Cooper to guard and keeping Lee at center when he returns. If Cooper were to go to right guard in place of Morgan, the start total would be 74.
Johnson said the fourth A-back on the depth chart after Clinton Lynch, Qua Searcy and Nathan Cottrell would likely be Omahri Jarrett, a junior. He said also it might be a situational matter.
While the top three figure to play the large majority of snaps, Johnson said he felt comfortable playing five or six.
“Omahri can play,” he said. “Those guys can play.”
Others competing are Xavier Gantt and incoming freshmen Jaylen Jackson, Dontae Smith and Tijai Whatley. Johnson said that “for sure” at least one freshman will play this season because of the lack of numbers at the position, the same as wide receiver.
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