Georgia Tech begins this season far differently than any of the 123 preceding it – in a different country, almost 4,000 miles from Atlanta.
The Yellow Jackets intend to separate the season in a similarly distinct way from last year in particular, and in a number of ways, quarterback Justin Thomas is at the core of those plans.
Two years removed from the 11-win joyride of 2014 and a year past the 3-win debacle of 2015, Thomas is a senior, positioned to couple his quarterbacking expertise with a developing leadership style that has nudged him into a new role with his teammates.
“I think if you look at him now, he’s real comfortable being in the center of the locker room, and that wasn’t always his place,” quarterbacks and B-backs coach Bryan Cook said. “I think that he’s got a determination and resolve to get this thing right. And that’s different from where he was mentally, I think, in years past.”
What coaches and teammates have witnessed through the offseason, spring practice, summer and preseason, fans will receive their first impressions of Saturday in Tech’s season opener against Boston College at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.
Wholly unloved by prognosticators, the Yellow Jackets believe themselves capable of playing for the ACC championship game in Charlotte, N.C., Dec. 3, exactly three months from Saturday.
“Just health-wise, confidence-wise, I was kind of down last season,” Thomas said. “I wasn’t used to having that type of season, but you’ve got to put it in the past. You learn from it. I think right now, I’m confident, the team’s confident, we’re just ready to play.”
The case why Tech could surpass expectations (in a preseason media poll, the Jackets were picked to finish sixth in the seven-team ACC Coastal Division):
– The offensive line, anchored by two-year starter Freddie Burden, is leaner and more athletic (if less experienced) than last year’s inconsistent crew, and could have an overpowering star in guard Shamire Devine;
– Offensive skill players are more experienced than last season, when the top B-back (Marcus Marshall) was a first-year freshman, the top A-back (Clinton Lynch) was a redshirt freshman and the top receiver (Ricky Jeune) was a sophomore who played little as a freshman. Of the 11 players last season who gained the most yards in total offense, eight had never played a snap for Tech’s offense prior to last season.
– Tech’s defense, which tied for 92nd in turnovers created last year (17) after tying for 17th in 2014 (29), is an all-around question mark with a mostly new secondary and a line bereft of second-round pick Adam Gotsis. But a group that can maintain the gains made last year in third-down efficiency (36.1 percent last year after 45.6 percent in 2014) and improve a tick in takeaways could be sufficient.
– Despite the record, the Jackets competed into the fourth quarter in five of the seven ACC losses, with Clemson and Miami the exceptions. Despite many issues, the team wasn’t so far from a more palatable record.
Coach Paul Johnson, starting his ninth season at Tech, had little to complain about this preseason regarding his team’s effort, an indication of leadership and determination. To the degree that it’s a barometer, it was a problem in 2015 but not so in 2014. That team was also driven to redeem itself after a series of uninspiring seasons.
“This entire offense, guys are (ticked) off,” A-backs coach Lamar Owens said. “That’s a great way to be. I know Coach Johnson is (ticked) off, and so are we. We can’t change anything about last year, but we can go leave our mark on this year.”
It will start with Thomas, healthier and a year wiser than a year ago. Johnson has challenged him to improve his body language and to not isolate himself when he has gotten frustrated either with himself or his teammates.
“I think when guys around him goof up, like even with the B-backs, he’s holding those guys more accountable,” Cook said. “He’ll get on them now, and hadn’t always done that.”
Even the academic side is pointing up. Thomas’ burdens did not end at the field last fall; he also carried a heavy course load. He graduated in the spring and this semester has two classes, an internship and an independent study.
“It’s time to relax and play some football,” he said.
There are no guarantees on anything. The Coastal is tougher, and even Boston College, 0-8 in the ACC last season, will hit the Jackets with a rugged defense. The good feeling of August may transform into unpleasant déjà vu before lunchtime in Atlanta.
Thomas plans for it to not be so.
“It wasn’t a fluke,” Thomas said of his dynamic play in 2014. “What you saw two years ago is who I am, and I plan on showing that again.”
About the Author
