Not the biggest fan of spring games, Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson got all he wanted out of the Yellow Jackets’ scrimmage session Friday night at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
“The game tonight was great in that nobody got hurt,” Johnson said.
The coach had slightly higher expectations for the other 14 practice sessions. A look at how the spring unfolded for the Jackets and what lies ahead.
Most improved players
A-backs Deon Hill and Robert Godhigh, inside linebacker Jabari Hunt-Days and defensive end Anthony Williams were four names often on Johnson’s lips this spring. Godhigh took the lead in the race to start alongside Orwin Smith, but Hill appears to be his closest pursuer.
A star of the spring game, Hunt-Days may well start in his first college game, as presumptive starter Daniel Drummond will be suspended for the first 1 1/2 games of the season. Williams made plays repeatedly in scrimmages and practice.
Position-battle update
The competition to be the No. 2 quarterback behind starter Tevin Washington ended in something of a draw, to be continued through the summer and in preseason practices. Synjyn Days did what he does well, making plays with his legs. He was dynamic running a read-option play out of the shotgun. However, his weakness — an inaccurate, if strong, arm — continued to betray him, and his ball-security bugaboo also resurfaced in the spring game.
Vad Lee made plays out of the passing game and showed some burst carrying the ball. He, too, flourished in the shotgun set. However, he needs to strengthen his grasp of the option, as well as the ball itself. Coaches were pleased with the progress both made, but neither separated himself, for better or worse.
Deepest group
The secondary returns four of its top five players from 2011, losing only safety Rashaad Reid, and brings back safety Fred Holton from a torn Achilles tendon. Holton impressed in the spring, showing off his punishing hitting and his instinctual feel for the game. The cornerback trio of Rod Sweeting, Jemea Thomas and Louis Young looked sharp in the spring, usually getting the better of Tech’s wide receivers in spring drills.
Those three, plus safeties Holton and Isaiah Johnson, likely give defensive coordinator Al Groh confidence in designing schemes that place more trust in their hands. Two younger players also turned heads and made cases for playing time, cornerback Jamal Golden and safety Corey Dennis.
If the deepest group isn’t the secondary, then it’s probably the offensive line. With starting guards Omoregie Uzzi and Will Jackson missing all and most of spring, respectively, backups Shaquille Mason and Trey Braun received plenty of time with the first unit and handled the opportunity. After playing in three games last season, tackle Morgan Bailey developed into a viable third option at tackle or possibly even a starter.
Area of concern
New special-teams coach David Walkosky’s tweaks in the return game were obvious, and only the season will reveal how much the alterations improve those units. However, Walkosky’s big job remains with kicker Justin Moore, punter Sean Poole and their backups in his effort to produce consistent play.
Moore missed his only chance in the spring game, from 49 yards, completing a so-so spring. Poole likewise has struggled with repeating his form. David Scully will push Moore at kicker, and signee Ryan Rodwell will challenge Poole.
Summer question
Will Tech’s nose tackles get in shape? T.J. Barnes has lost about 25 pounds since the end of the season and now weighs about at 340 pounds. His backup Shawn Green similarly improved his conditioning and showed improved stamina in the spring.
Both are crucial pieces of Tech’s defensive puzzle and encouraged coaches with their performance in the spring. However, the body shaping is not quite complete. Coaches would like Barnes to drop another 15 pounds and for Green to continue to improve his fitness.
If and to what degree Barnes and Green continue their regimens over the summer will have an impact on how they effective they are next season.
About the Author
