With eight returning starters, the Georgia Tech defense got the better of its counterpart in the Yellow Jackets’ first scrimmage of the spring, Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
In a scrimmage measuring roughly 100 plays on a chilly morning, Tech’s defense forced three turnovers and prevented the first-team offense from getting into the end zone. As is standard, possessions began from the offense’s 25-yard line.
“We really struggled up front more than anything else,” coach Paul Johnson said. “Of course, we’ve got a lot of guys out (on the offensive line), too.”
For the spring, Tech is without offensive tackle Chris Griffin and its top two centers, Freddie Burden and Andrew Marshall, due to injuries. Among defensive players who stood out to coaches were defensive tackles Jabari Hunt-Days and Francis Kallon and linebacker Anthony Harrell.
“He showed up and did some good things,” defensive coordinator Ted Roof said of Hunt-Days. “Just got to learn the position and play within the framework of the defense and execute his fundamentals and technique.”
Johnson described Hunt-Days, often lined up against guard Trey Braun, as “hard to block.”
Hunt-Days is one of the more intriguing players this spring. He is working to regain his academic eligibility, which he lost after the 2014 spring semester.
Defensive tackle Adam Gotsis and linebacker Beau Hankins came up with fumble recoveries. Walk-on defensive back Zach Allen returned an interception for a touchdown.
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