Georgia Tech A-back Tony Zenon claims that linebacker Quayshawn Nealy “sees everything.”
Miami, whom Tech defeated Saturday for the first time since 2008, might agree. In the game, when the Hurricanes were in the shotgun formation, the left guard turned his head to look at quarterback Brad Kaaya, waiting for a particular gesture from the quarterback to prepare for the snap, at which point he turned his head forward and tapped the center to trigger the play.
“You see that on film,” he said. “It’s actually getting a feel while I’m on the field, like how many seconds he might hold it.”
It enabled him to time blitzes and get into left tackle Ereck Flowers’ head, according to Nealy.
“I’m keying on (the tap) and he’s keying on me, so I was able to draw him offsides and put them back five yards,” Nealy said. “It’s those little things.”
A combination of preparation and an intuitive football sense — that explains Nealy quite well. Nealy, a captain and a four-year starter from Lakeland, Fla., has used both to produce consistent play and a collection of big plays over the course of his career. He’ll try for more Saturday against Duke at Bobby Dodd Stadium in a critical ACC Coastal Division matchup for the No. 22 Yellow Jackets.
“He’s just smart,” linebacker Anthony Harrell said. “He knows where the ball’s going to be.”
Nealy ranks second on the team in tackles with 30, behind linebacker Paul “P.J.” Davis, with three tackles for loss. If he keeps up his pace, he’ll break into Tech’s top 20 for career tackles among linebackers. He’ll also have a place in Tech lore for his three returns for touchdowns, two off interceptions and one on a fumble recovery. It’s not a gaudy number, but in his career, the rest of the Jackets defense has scored only six other times.
His most recent was an interception taken back 10 yards for a touchdown against Tulane, which tied the score at 14-14 in the Jackets’ 38-21 win. Nealy said he didn’t even see quarterback Tanner Lee throwing the ball, just a tip of the ball as Lee wound to pass. Nealy, who had dropped into zone coverage, knew from studying Tulane video that Lee might go to the slot receiver who had run a short hitch in his zone.
“(Lee) likes throwing the check-down route and the shorter routes,” Nealy said. Knowing he had help behind him, Nealy cut underneath wide receiver Leondre James, caught the ball on the run and had his touchdown.
“The right place at the right time,” he said.
Against Virginia Tech, Nealy brought down wide receiver Deon Newsome for a 6-yard loss on a sweep. It wasn’t a game-breaking play, just one that demonstrated his smarts. Not only had Tech practiced against the play all week, but Nealy picked up on the depth of running back J.C. Coleman in his pre-snap alignment relative to the line of scrimmage. It was such that Nealy said he concluded Coleman couldn’t get the ball on an inside zone run, “so I scooted my position over and I was able to run the alley and make a play.”
On the ESPN broadcast, analyst Brian Griese said Nealy charged at Newsome “like he’s shot out of a cannon.”
It is such awareness and attention to detail, not to mention leadership ability, that have made Nealy a delight for defensive coordinator Ted Roof and linebackers coach Andy McCollum.
“There’s no individual in him, it’s all about the team within him and all about the unit,” McCollum said. “He’s the kind of guy you like coaching and enjoy being on the field with.”
Nealy’s acumen has been sharpened by extra film study. A fifth-year senior, Nealy one has one class remaining toward his management degree, in strategic management. He has an internship with Barton Executive Search, and the rest of his time can be devoted to football. Nealy estimates he does three hours of video study on top of his preparation with the team.
“I’d say it’s a knack, between that and the coach putting me in the right position to make plays,” said Nealy, explaining his nose for the ball. “It has to be in between those two.”
The guy with 227 career tackles would know.
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