On Georgia Tech's second day of spring practice, defensive end Izaan Cross weighed a trim 284 pounds, thanks to the Firehouse diet.
The only returning starter on the defensive line, Cross dropped 21 pounds from the end of the season. He mainly did it through portion control and additional exercise during winter workouts. Where does the diet get its name?
"All the guys who have a weekly (weight) goal, we weigh in every Wednesday," he said. After the weigh-in, "we go celebrate at Firehouse (Subs). That's the Firehouse diet."
Others on the plan are nose tackle T.J. Barnes, guard J.C. Lanier and center Nick McRae. Besides his clothes fitting better, Cross said he gets less winded in practice.
"We'll see (the difference) when I get pads on and we start scrimmaging," Cross said.
Cross will have new line partners with tackle Logan Walls and end Jason Peters having graduated. Cross has the most career starts, 28, of any returning player. Defensive line coach Andy McCollum expects Cross to take a leadership role.
"He did some good things a year ago, he's got some things that he can be a lot better at to help this team," McCollum said. "He's committed to work at that."
On the nose
McCollum is minding his two top nose tackles, T.J. Barnes and Shawn Green. McCollum praised Barnes, the backup to Walls last season, for "working his tail off" but seeks more consistency.
From a conditioning standpoint, "Shawn's not where he needs to be yet, but (he is) finally starting to work himself into being able to help us," McCollum said.
McCollum wants Green, who played in four games last season as a freshman, to practice with urgency this spring and improve his conditioning.
"He's got quickness, he's got strength, he's got some pop, but he's got to be able to last," McCollum said.
Back on the field
Safety Fred Holton and A-back B.J. Bostic, who were both redshirted after suffering injuries in the preseason last August, are healthy and participating, coach Paul Johnson said.
"They looked good running around out there," he said. "No issues."
Holton was challenging for a starting job when he tore his Achilles tendon in fall camp. Bostic was trying for a spot in the A-back rotation when he suffered an arm injury. Both had played as true freshmen and have three seasons of eligibility remaining.
A-back competition
With A-backs Roddy Jones and Embry Peeples graduated and Orwin Smith not practicing as he recovers from toe surgery, none of the A-backs who are practicing have much game experience. B.J. Bostic, Robert Godhigh, Tony Zenon, Deon Hill and Broderick Snoddy are all sharing practice time.
"It's really kind of exciting to see how they do," Johnson said.
They're auditioning for a rotation that figures to be three or four deep, including Smith.
"We're looking for guys that can do the whole thing," said Johnson, meaning run, catch and block. "There may be some guys at other positions that end up playing there, too, once we get into it."
Practice report
Wednesday, Tech's second spring practice session, the team worked out again in helmets and shorts. Pads will go on starting Friday, with another practice Saturday to finish the week.
"I doubt we'll tackle (on Friday), but we'll get into some contact stuff, work into playing football," Johnson said.
