As Georgia Tech commences training for its 119th season Wednesday, coach Paul Johnson has his punch list.
“We need to take better care of the ball, that’s a start,” he said at the ACC football kickoff in Pinehurst, N.C. “We need to be better in the kicking game. We need to be more efficient throwing the ball, and we need to play better on defense. Other than that, we’re right where we need to be.”
Johnson chuckled. The priority list is indeed long. Along with Tech fans, the coach hopes it’s also manageable. The following are questions coaches would love to have answered before the Jackets open against Western Carolina on Sept. 1.
Who will fill opening at offensive tackle?
It appears four of the five spots have been all but determined, with Jay Finch at center, All-ACC preseason pick Omoregie Uzzi and Will Jackson at guard and Phil Smith at one tackle. Tyler Kidney, Ray Beno, Morgan Bailey and Catlin Alford will be in the mix for the final spot. Kidney took the majority of the first-team reps in the spring as injuries depleted the line.
Kidney played six games last season as a walk-on. Alford and Bailey are redshirt freshmen, and Beno played in three games as a freshman last fall.
The line didn’t get much time together in the spring because of the injuries, so practice reps will be crucial. Coaches will have to balance that with a desire to stay healthy. Aside from backup center Nick McRae, the other four members of the second-string line have played a combined four games, though Johnson is excited over the group’s potential and athletic ability.
Which freshmen will play?
Johnson said at the ACC Football Kickoff that he’ll take a “good, long look” at incoming freshman quarterback Vad Lee, a ballyhooed prospect whose YouTube highlights have set fans’ hearts aflutter. With Tevin Washington holding a clear edge on the starting job and Synjyn Days in the No. 2 spot, coaches will have to determine whether using Lee, perhaps in a sub package, would be worth burning his redshirt and not potentially having him as a fifth-year senior.
Several other freshmen likely will play, starting with backup guard Trey Braun, the only member of the class to begin classes in January and go through spring practice. Wide receivers Corey Dennis, Jeff Greene and Darren Waller will get a look, as will long snapper Sean Tobin and the seven linebackers, including Days’ brother Jabari Hunt-Days.
Can Tech find a kicker, improve special teams?
Justin Moore is in the lead to replace Scott Blair, who kicked Tech’s field goals and extra points the past three seasons and the kickoffs the past four. Neither he nor kicker David Scully made a strong claim on the job in the spring and will have another shot in August.
With returnees Sean Poole and Chandler Anderson taking most of the punts, Tech’s punting net of 32.2 yards was third lowest in the ACC, a reflection not only on them, but on the coverage unit. Poole returns after a late-season knee injury.
Tech’s kickoff and punt return units both ranked 97th in FBS (formerly Division I-A) last season. Tech was 98th in punt return yardage allowed and 114th in net punting. Johnson has taken a larger role in special teams this season and likely will try out several returners for both units, including Roddy Jones, Jemea Thomas, Orwin Smith, Tony Zenon, B.J. Bostic and freshmen Chris Milton and Broderick Snoddy.
Can the secondary bond in time?
Johnson said he thinks the secondary is the most talented it has been since he arrived in 2008. However, it might also be the least experienced. Cornerbacks Louis Young and Rod Sweeting and safeties Isaiah Johnson and Rashaad Reid will have to gather as many practice repetitions as they can to limit coverage mistakes once the season begins.
Young is a potential star. After playing last season as a true freshman, he was one of the more improved players in the spring and has performed well in summer 7-on-7 workouts. Thomas and Fred Holton also will push for playing time.
Can the Jackets hold onto the ball?
Tech had 37 fumbles last season and lost 20, tying them for last in FBS in the latter category. Opponents turned the 20 lost fumbles into 57 points, 29 of which played a direct role in losses to Georgia and Air Force.
A team with little margin for error can’t afford to lose that many possessions. While it might seem a run-heavy offense is more prone to fumbles, Johnson’s Navy teams proved otherwise, losing as few as 10 in a season during his term.
Can the passing game improve?
Little went right in Tech’s passing game last season. The team’s completion rate of 38.1 percent ranked lowest in FBS and was seven points lower than the second-worst team. Inaccurate passes, drops and the second-worst pass attempts-to-sacks ratio in the ACC were among the flaws.
Players report that Washington and wide receiver Stephen Hill have put in work over the summer to improve.
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