To address an offensive line that he said he was sick of watching make mistakes, Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson has made some moves.
He shifted offensive tackle Will Bryan, who started six games last season as a first-year freshman, to left guard. He brought redshirt freshman Scott Morgan from the defensive line to the offensive line. Andrew Marshall, who had been working at left guard, was moved to center, where he played most of his first two seasons behind starter Freddie Burden.
“I think that’s a good move for us,” Johnson said Wednesday of Bryan’s switch to guard. “He’s looked good the last couple days.”
As of Wednesday, the first-string line was Eason Fromayan at left tackle, Bryan at left guard, Marshall at center, redshirt freshman Brad Morgan (Scott’s twin brother) at right guard and Trey Klock at right tackle.
“It’s just a work in progress,” Johnson said. “We’re sliding some guys around. It’s what spring practice is about.”
Tech has 11 scholarship linemen, including Scott Morgan, and has four incoming freshman linemen, but is depleted. Burden has been out recovering from hand surgery. Jake Whitley has been out, suffering from headaches, Johnson said. Griffin, hoped to be an answer at guard, has not fully recovered from a torn ACL suffered last offseason. Guard Shamire Devine has been struggling with his weight, limiting coaches’ confidence in him to play for extended periods. The team was already without guard Gary Brown, who left school at the end of the fall semester to pursue an art career.
“You try to mix and match and piece it together,” Johnson said.
Devine’s weight issues have particularly vexing.
“Certainly Shamire’s got ability, but he can’t play at 380 pounds,” Johnson said. “So we’re trying to do everything we can to help him. He’s got to help himself, too.”
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