Georgia Tech offensive lineman Andrew Marshall learned on the first day of preseason camp that coaches wanted to take a look at him at offensive tackle. Two weeks into camp, he’s a candidate to be a starter at left tackle.
Marshall, a junior who has primarily backed up center Freddie Burden for his first two seasons, is competing with Eason Fromayan for the No. 1 job.
“It’s been good adjusting to it and learning everything,” Marshall said. “I kind of knew what to do on paper and all, but it’s different once you get out there and play it.”
Coach Paul Johnson called the race “up in the air.” Offensive line coach Ron West said that Fromayan has the advantage in pass blocking but that Marshall is better in run blocking.
“He’s got a really good punch and brings some of that to the table,” West said.
Marshall’s versatility has given him a better understanding of his assignments. While he has mostly backed up Burden at center, he played some tackle as a freshman. He spent most of this past spring practice at guard.
“Everybody learns it on the board and all and you see all five positions on the board, but it helps once you’ve played all five and actually get the experience of playing all five and knowing what they’re doing next to you on every play,” Marshall said.
Marshall said he was told on the first day of camp that he would be flip-flopped between tackle and center, but then was planted full-time at tackle after a few days. Former walk-on Michael Muns is now the backup center.
“It’s going pretty good,” Marshall said of tackle. “I like playing out there. You get to play in space a lot more, so it’s fun.”
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